Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 8, Part 9

Author:
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 802

USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 8 > Part 9

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(III) Benjamin (2) Lines, son of Ben- jamin (1) and Anna (Wilmot) Lines, was born November 8, 1689. He was of New Haven. He married Esther, daughter of Joseph Sturgis, of Fairfield.

(IV) Samuel Lynes, son of Benjamin (2) and Esther (Sturgis) Lines, was mar- ried, February 28, 1749, to Mercy Holly. Mercy Holly was born April 12, 1719. Her father was Elisha Holly, born No- vember 10, 1687, died May 14, 1752; he married, January 24, 1716, Rebecca Bishop, daughter of Stephen Bishop. Elisha Holly, grandfather of Mercy Holly, was born June I, 1659, and died October 28, 1719; he married, December 2, 1686, Martha Holmes, and she died

August 4, 1721. His father was John Holly, who was born in England about 1618 and came to America about 1640, settled in Stamford, Connecticut, where he died May 25, 1681. His widow's name was Mary.

(V) Benjamin (3) Lynes, son of Samuel and Mercy (Holly ) Lynes, was born June 19, 1757, in Ridgebury, Connecticut. He married Sarah Coley, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Sanford) Coley, of Redding, Connecticut.

(VI) Stephen Coley Lynes, son of Ben- jamin (3) and Sarah (Coley) Lynes, married, February 6, 1815, Hannah Maltby, born in Fairfield, Connecticut, April 7, 1769, daughter of Captain Jona- than and Elizabeth (Allen) Maltby. (See Maltby IV).

(VII) Dr. Samuel (2) Lynes, son of Stephen Coley and Hannah (Maltby) Lynes, was born in December, 1821, and . died in July, 1878. He attended school in his native town of Ridgefield, and read medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Willard Parker, for whom the Willard Parker Hospital in New York is named. Subsequently he went to Yale Medical School, from which he was graduated. Immediately Dr. Lynes engaged in the practice of his profession in Norwalk, and for many years was the only physician in the town. That was at a time when the territory covered by a doctor was a very large one. The physician of that day not only ministered to the physical wants of man, he was also the friend, confidante and adviser of his patients. Dr. Lynes was beloved among those whose suffer- ings he eased ; he was accustomed to ride over the country in the old fashioned two- wheeled gig, and a glad welcome awaited him wherever he called. Dr. Lynes was past master of St. John's Lodge, No. 6, Free and Accepted Masons, and was past grand of Our Brothers Lodge, Independ-

Farinal Synes, M. D_

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ent Order of Odd Fellows, both of Nor- walk.

Dr. Lynes married Emily Augusta Sherry, daughter of Charles and Susan Virginia (St. John) Sherry, of New York City. Her parents removed to Norwalk shortly after her birth and located on East avenue ; later the property was cut up into building lots and what is now Morgan avenue passes through the property.

Dr. Lynes and his wife were the par- ents of : Charles S., now deceased ; Emily A .; Susan Virginia, deceased ; Samuel, of whom further. The family were members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, of which Dr. Lynes was a vestryman for many years.

The St. John descent is through Susan Virginia St. John, daughter of William (2) and Esther (Cannon) St. John. Wil- liam (2) St. John was a son of William (1) and Mary Esther (Belden) St. John. William (1) St. John was a son of Joseph (2) and Susannah (Selleck) St. John. Joseph (2) St. John was a son of Joseph (1) and Sarah (Betts) St. John. Joseph (1) St. John was a son of Mark and Eliz- abeth (Stanley) St. John. Mark St. John was a son of Matthias St. John, the Amer- ican founder. In the Cannon family the ancestry is as follows: Esther Cannon was a daughter of James and Rebecca (Gould) Cannon. James Cannon was a son of John (3) and Esther (Perry) Can- non. John (3) Cannon was a son of John (2) and Jerusha (Sands) Cannon. John (2) Cannon was a son of John (1) and Maria (LeGrand) Cannon. John (1) Cannon was a son of Andrew and Anna Cannon, of Staten Island, the first Can- non settlers. The Selleck connections are traced through Susannah, born Septem- ber 3, 1709, who married Joseph (2) St. John. Susannah was a daughter of Na- than and Susannah (Hooker) Selleck. Nathan Selleck was the only son of Jona-

than (2) and Abigail (Gold) Selleck, who were married September 12, 1686. Jon- athan (2) Selleck was a son of Jonathan (1) and Abigail (Law) Selleck. Jon- athan (1) Selleck was born March 20, 1641, son of David and Susannah Selleck. Susannah Hooker, who married Nathan Selleck, was a daughter of William Hooker, of Farmington, Connecticut. William Hooker was the third son of Rev. Samuel and Mary (Swazey) Hooker. Rev. Samuel Hooker was a son of Rev. Thomas Hooker, founder of Hartford. The Belden family figures in this record through the marriage of William (1) St. John and Mary Esther Belden. Mary Esther, born 1758, was a daughter of John (3) and Rebecca (Bartlett) Belden. John (3) Belden, born April 26, 1729, was a son of John (2) and Ruhama (Hill) Bel- den. John (2) Belden was a son of John (1) and Ruth (Hayes) Belden. John (1) Belden, born January 9, 1653, was a son of William and Thomasine (or Comma- cine) Belden. John (1) Belden moved to Norwalk, Connecticut. His father, Wil- liam Belden, lived in Wethersfield, Con- necticut, and died there about 1660.

(VIII) Samuel (3) Lynes, son of Dr. Samuel (2) and Emily Augusta (Sherry) Lynes, was born April 13, 1865, in Nor- walk, Connecticut. He was educated in the public schools of that city. Early in life he entered the real estate business with Louise O. Coolidge, under the firm name of Coolidge & Lynes, and this part- nership successfully continued about fif- teen years. In 1902, Mr. Lynes formed a partnership with Hubert E. Bishop, under the firm name of Bishop & Lynes, suc- ceeding C. T. Leonard as proprietors of a coal business that was established in 1839, handling coal, wood and mason's supplies. Mr. Lynes is among the leading mer- chants of Norwalk, and one of the enter- prising citizens there. Besides his own

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business interests he is a director of the Fairfield County National Bank and an incorporator of the Fairfield County Sav- ings Bank. Public matters also have re- ceived his attention; he served on the Board of Selectmen and was water com- missioner for the city of Norwalk.

Fraternally, Mr. Lynes is a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 6, Free and Accepted Masons, his membership dat- ing back for twenty-three years; mem- ber of Washington Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Clinton Commandery, Knights Templar; Lafayette Consistory, Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret; and Pyra- mid Temple, Ancient Arabic Order No- bles of the Mystic Shrine, the last two named being of Bridgeport. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, and of Our Brothers Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Masonic work has always claimed his devoted at- tention, and in 1920 he performed a signal service for the local lodge. Since the erection of the Masonic building in 1886, St. John's Lodge, No. 6, had occupied the top floor, and with the purchase of the property early in 1920 by the Central Trust Company the lodge faced the prob- lems of paying a greatly increased rental or finding new quarters. Mr. Lynes pro- posed that the building that had formerly been the Chapel of the Holy Saviour, maintained by St. Paul's Episcopal Church, be purchased. The wisdom of the plan and the possibility of securing sufficient funds were doubted by many, but Mr. Lynes' energetic enthusiasm won the day and St. John's Temple Associa- tion was organized with him as president. He led in the campaign for subscriptions, worked tirelessly in planning the large fair that yielded welcome proceeds, and finally was able to announce to his fellow members, on behalf of his associates in the financial drive, that the required

amount had been raised and that the lodge owned a new home. In expression of their appreciation of his leadership in this project, his brother Masons, at an open meeting in connection with the dedi- cation of the temple, presented him with a handsome gold watch, chain and pen- dant. Mr. Lynes attends St. Paul's Epis- copal Church and aids in the support of its good works.

(The Maltby Line).

(I) William Maltby, the ancestor, was one of the most prominent men of Bran- ford, Connecticut, and died September I, 1710. He held many important offices, serving as magistrate and as representa- tive to the General Court. He married Abigail Bishop, born in New Haven, Oc- tober 30, 1659, died October 24, 1710, daughter of Deputy Governor James Bishop, of Connecticut, and his wife, Mary (Lamberton) Bishop, daughter of Master Lamberton, of the phantom ship.

(II) Jonathan Maltby, sixth child of William and Abigail (Bishop) Maltby, was born in Branford, Connecticut, July 26, 1698. He married, in Stamford, Sep- tember 25, 1719, Sarah Potter, born Au- gust 22, 1690, daughter of John and Sarah (Selleck) Potter. The parents of Sarah (Selleck) Potter were John and Sarah (Law) Selleck. Sarah (Law) Selleck was a daughter of Richard and Margaret (Kilbourne) Law.

(III) Jonathan (2) Maltby, eldest child of Jonathan (1) and Sarah (Potter) Maltby, was born June 29, 1720. He mar- ried Abigail Holmes, of Greenwich, and their only child was Jonathan, of whom further.

(IV) Captain Jonathan (3) Maltby, son of Jonathan (2) and Abigail (Holmes) Maltby, was born December 17, 1744. He was a sea captain in the East Indies trade, and lived in one of the historic

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houses named in the "History of Fair- field County" as "Colonial No. 4." This house was built in 1766 by Isaac Tucker, who sold it to Captain Maltby, by whom it was occupied during the Revolution, being one of the few left standing at the burning of Fairfield. Henry Rowland, a grandson, in writing some reminiscences, states : "Grandfather Maltby's house was reserved as a cook house. After the con- flagration, when the British had gone aboard their ships the inhabitants re- turned. Grandfather Maltby, on return- ing to his house, found all their valuable china scooped off the shelves to the floor and broken to pieces, and everything up- side down. In the kitchen fire-place hung a large brass kettle filled with their hams, but they dared not eat them, fearing they were poisoned, so they started anew with provisions." Captain Maltby's son, Wil- liam Maltby, inherited the place and sold it to Justice Hobart. The house is still standing in good condition (1921). Jon- athan (3) Maltby was first lieutenant of the "Trumbull," one of the first cruisers built for the Continental navy, Dudley Saltonstall, commander. She went into service about April, 1780, carrying twen- ty-eight guns and a crew of two hundred. Her first engagement under Captain Nicholson occurred June 2nd of the same year with the "Watt" ("Wasp?"), an English letter-of-marque, under Captain Colehart. She carried thirty-four guns and two hundred and fifty men. The "Watt" was a private vessel with a cargo of great value, and was especially equipped to fight her way. This was the first action of any moment that occurred in 1780, and was known as the most ob- stinate and sanguinary naval battle during the Revolution. The "Trumbull," being badly disabled, failed to capture the "Watt," although she defeated her. The next summer, 1781, she left the Delaware,

still under Captain Nicholson, having been thoroughly equipped as convoy to twenty-eight sail of merchant craft bound for Cape Francois, West Indies. Off the capes the "Trumbull" met three British cruisers astern. Two of them, one a frigate, stood for the "Trumbull," which ship, by hauling up, gained the wind of them. While standing on in this man- ner, hoping for the darkness, which was fast approaching, a gale carried away the "Trumbull's" foretopmast, which in fall- ing brought down the main-gallantmast. She was otherwise disabled and, night coming on, was unable to clear up the wreck. At ten o'clock the "Iris," thirty- two guns, one of the vessels in chase, closed with her and forced her to combat. In the midst of rain and tempestuous winds, Captain Nicholson found himself obligated to go to quarters or to strike without resistance. He preferred to do the first, but the English volunteers on board, instead of obeying orders, went be- low, extinguished lights, and secreted themselves. Nearly half the remaining men followed their example, and Captain Nicholson could not muster even fifty of the diminished crew he had at the guns. The battle that followed might be said to have been fought by the officers. These brave men, sustained by a party of petty officers and seamen, manned a few of the big guns for more than an hour, and when the "General Monk," eighteen guns, came up and joined in the fire of the "Iris," the "Trumbull" submitted. The "Trumbull," after her capture, was towed into New York Harbor and condemned. Though unsuccessful in her battles, she still fought two of the most famous fights that took place on the ocean during the exciting times of the Revolution. Jon- athan Maltby was afterward appointed master of the "Argus," a cutter in the service of the United States for the pro-

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tection of the revenue. The commission of Jonathan Maltby as lieutenant is dated October 12, 1776, and is signed by John Hancock. His commission as captain is dated March 21, 1791, and is signed by George Washington. In December, 1775, Lieutenant Jonathan Maltby was on the "Alfred," its captain, Dudley Saltonstall ; first lieutenant, John Paul Jones ; and sec- ond lieutenant, Jonathan Maltby.

Captain Jonathan (3) Maltby married, October 23, 1768, Elizabeth Allen, born in Fairfield, Connecticut, April 13, 1749, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel David and Sarah (Gold) Allen, of Fairfield. Their daughter, Hannah, married Stephen Coley Lynes (see Lynes VI). Elizabeth (Allen) Maltby was a great-granddaugh- ter of Lieutenant Gideon Allen, and a granddaughter of Gideon Allen, Jr., born about 1675, married Annah Burr, born 1675, daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah (Ward) Burr. Nathaniel Burr was a son of John Burr, and died February 26, 1712. John Burr was born in England about 1600, and died in Fairfield, Connecticut, in 1670. Sarah (Ward) Burr was the daughter of Andrew and Esther Ward. Andrew Ward was a freeman in 1634, and with Ludlow and others had a commis- sion from Massachusetts to govern the people of Connecticut for one year, yet the date of his removal to Stamford is 1641 and he was probably governor until that time. Sarah (Gold) Allen was a daughter of John and Joanna (Hawley) Gold, granddaughter of Hon. Nathan Gold. The latter lived in Fairfield. He married Hannah Talcott. Their son, John Gold, married (first) Hannah Slaw- son ; (second) Johannah (Joanna) Haw- ley. Hon. Nathan Gold was the son of Major Nathan Gold, who came from St. Edmundsbury, England, to Fairfield, Connecticut, in the reign of Charles II. and became a landholder in Fairfield in 1649.

WHEELER, Arthur Canfield,

Manufacturer, Publisher, Man of Affairs.

In a busy career that has included val- uable public service in addition to pro- ductive private activity, Arthur Canfield Wheeler has been prominently known in Norwalk, Connecticut, his birthplace, as manufacturer, publisher, and man of af- fairs, while the full circle of his relation- ships has brought him into touch with all the best interests of his city. He is a member of an old New England family, son of Charles Henry and Ann Eliza (Canfield) Wheeler, grandson of Benja- min and Permelia (Bouton) Wheeler, and great-grandson of Simeon Wheeler, of Wilton, Connecticut.

(I) Benjamin Wheeler, grandfather of Arthur C. Wheeler, was born June 17, 1801, died January 12, 1880. He was the owner of a saw and grist mill. He was a devout Methodist. He married, January 3, 1819, Permelia Bouton, born in Ridge- field, Connecticut, February 16, 1798, daughter of Jesse and Sally (Bouton) Bouton. The Bouton family descends from John Bouton, believed to have been a son of Count Nicholas Bouton. He was a Huguenot and during the great per- secution fled to England and from there to America about 1635. He married (first) Joan Turney, (second) Abigail Marvin, (third) Mrs. Mary Stevenson. The line descends through his son, Jo- seph, and Mary, his wife; their son Joa- chin (or Jakin), who had the title of cap- tain and marched with General Montgom- ery against Quebec; his son, Ebenezer, and Abigail, his wife; their son, Jesse, and Rachel, his wife; their son, Jesse, father of Permelia Bouton, wife of Benjamin Wheeler. Children of Benjamin and Per- melia (Bouton) Wheeler: I. Betsey, born December 10, 1821, died May 14, 1888; married Rev. Alonzo B. Pulling. 2.

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- Charles Henry, of whom further. 3. John B., born about 1839, died in October, 1911.

(II) Charles Henry Wheeler, son of Ben- jamin and Permelia (Bouton) Wheeler, was born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, Au- gust 26, 1829, and died April 1, 1899. He was educated in Amenia (New York) Seminary, and as a young man taught school in Wilton, Connecticut, and Lewis- boro, New York, and for a number of years was head of a private school in Norwalk, Connecticut. His talent for teaching was a natural gift, love of his calling and orderly, logical methods of instruction combining to make his work in the classroom inspiring and effec- tive. Poor health caused his retirement from the profession he so ably repre- sented, and he became a foreman in the hat factory of Beatty Brothers, remain- ing there until his death. He was a Re- publican in politics, and gave public- spirited service to his town in numerous capacities, filling the office of first select- man of Norwalk from 1884 to 1890, and also that of school director. He married, in Lewisboro, New York, April 13, 1854, Ann Eliza Canfield, born July 12, 1833, died May 16, 1909, daughter of Daniel and Sally Canfield. Both Charles H. Wheeler and his wife were members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, Mr. Wheeler a member of the official board of the South Norwalk congregation, serving as clerk for a number of years and also as Sun- day school teacher and superintendent. Children : 1. Mary Evelyn, born January 31, 1855; married, in September, 1880, Seaman W. Haines (deceased), of Led- yard, New York, and she now resides in Chula Vista, California. 2. Arthur Can- field, of whom further. 3. Carrie Viola, born October 28, 1858; married, in June, 1881, Charles W. Littell.

(III) Arthur Canfield Wheeler, son of Charles Henry and Ann Eliza (Canfield)

Wheeler, was born in Norwalk, Connec- ticut, August 26, 1856. His father was his first educational mentor, and he was subsequently a student in the Norwalk public schools. As a youth of fourteen years he became office boy in the employ of Beatty Brothers, and the twenty years of his association with this firm wit- nessed his steady advance through all de- partments of the business to the position of confidential clerk in charge of the firm's bookkeeping and financial affairs. In 1888 the Beatty brothers retired from active life and Mr. Wheeler succeeded to ownership of the enterprise, which he conducted prosperously until 1891. In that year he sold it to Vanderhoef & Com- pany, retaining a part interest, and re- maining in charge as manager and co- director until the liquidation of the busi- ness in 1916.

Mr. Wheeler is president of the Hour Publishing Company, owners of the "Nor- walk Hour," a newspaper known through- out New England journalism as one of the best published in cities of Norwalk's size. Mr. Wheeler has been the principal stockholder of this company since 1903, and has been an influential factor in its upbuilding to its present high standing. Among his official business connections are directorships in the National Bank of Norwalk and the Fairfield County Sav- ings Bank. He is also president of the Germ-Proof Cup Corporation, a concern whose sturdy growth promises a most successful continuance.

Mr. Wheeler has been a lifelong Repub- lican, and has been placed as his party's candidate in several places of responsi- bility and trust. When Norwalk was a borough he served as a burgess, and in 1893, when incorporation was made as a city, he became a member of the first City Council, and as chairman of the commit- tee on lights made the ten year contract

Conn-8-5

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for city lighting. In 1895 he was elected mayor, reëlected in 1896, and during his administration accomplished, among other commendable works, the widening of Wall street, the widening of the bridge by eight or ten feet, and the laying of brick paving. For many years prior to his retirement from office, about 1916, Mr. Wheeler was chairman of the School Board, his total service covering a period of nearly twenty-five years.

His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 6, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past master, and he is past grand master of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, and a member of the Past Grand Masters' Association. He is past high priest of Washington Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons; a member and past commander of Clinton Commandery, No. 3, Knights Templar, of Norwalk ; past grand commander of the Grand Com- mandery, and member of the Grand En- campment of the United States. He is also a member of Lafayette Consistory, Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret; and Pyramid Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Bridge- port. In the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he has been likewise active, and is a past grand of Our Brothers Lodge, past chief patriarch of Kabosa Encampment, and past grand patriarch of the Grand En- campment of Connecticut, holding the last named office in 1899. His fraternal relations have been treasured by him for their principles and symbolisms, and for their close fellowship in the pursuit of worthy aims. Mr. Wheeler is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and has been a vestryman for many years. He has been a member of the council of the Nation-wide Campaign, and a member of the executive committee, the finance and

budget committees, and the local com- mittee. The work of the denomination has always received a generous share of his time, and with his influence and his means he has furthered all of its activities.

Mr. Wheeler married, June 23, 1880, Susie Cousins, born in Darien, Connecti- cut, daughter of Thomas Cousins, born in England, who came to the United States in 1850 and was for a time a resi- dent of Brooklyn, New York, later en- gaging in shoe manufacture in Norwalk. Children: 1. Ernest Cousins, born Sep- tember 30, 1885 ; a member of the firm of J. & T. Cousins Shoe Company, of Brook- lyn, New York; married Edna A. Aus- tin. 2. Harold Arthur, born June 10, 1891 ; married Margaret Heath Lane, of South Norwalk, and they have one child, Frederick Arthur, born December 13, 1916.

This is the record, in outline, of the work of Arthur C. Wheeler, of Norwalk. It has been performed in honor, with profit to splendid causes, and his commu- nity continues the beneficiary of his pub- lic-spirited, progressive endeavor.

THOMAS, Edward James, Journalist.

The Norwalk "Hour," ranking as one of the leading newspapers of New Eng- land in a city of Norwalk's class, has for two decades had as its publisher Edward James Thomas, who is also treasurer and manager of the Hour Publishing Com- pany.

Mr. Thomas is a son of James Thomas, his family of Welsh descent, tradition being that the Thomas line are direct descendants of Sir Rhys ap Thomas, K. G., who was a lineal descendant of the an- cient kings of Wales, and whose castle and estates were forfeited to the crown during the reign of Henry the Eighth.

Edward) Thomas

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Two brothers of this descent came from Wales together, one settling in New York and the other in New Orleans.

The census of 1790 gives Gregory Thomas as a resident of Norwalk, Con- necticut, having a wife and one child, a daughter, living with him. Gregory Thomas descended from John and Eliz- abeth Thomas, of Fairfield, whose son, Joseph Thomas, fought in the French and Indian War, in 1758. (French and In- dian War rolls, page 1517.) Two sons of Joseph and Phoebe (Gregory) Thomas were Nathan and Gregory Thomas. Jo- seph was killed in the battle of Mon- mouth, New Jersey, June 28, 1778. Greg- ory enlisted February 1, 1778, and at the close of the war located in Norwalk, died May 6, 1811, and is buried in the old Sil- vermine Cemetery. Among the children of Gregory Thomas was Charles, grand- father of Edward James Thomas. Charles Thomas was a lumber merchant, and re- sided for a time at Wilton, later making Norwalk his home. Charles Thomas mar- ried, about 1818, Sarah Crofoot, daughter of Ebenezer and Sarah (Gregory) Cro- foot, granddaughter of Joseph and Esther (St. John) Crofoot, great-granddaughter of Ebenezer Crofoot, and great-great- granddaughter of Joseph Crofoot. Sarah (Gregory) Crofoot, wife of Ebenezer Crofoot, was descended from John Greg- ory through his son, Jachin, his son, Dea- con Matthew, his son, Ensign Matthew, a Revolutionary soldier ; and his son, Elias Gregory, her father.

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Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 8, Part 9

Author: Publication date: 1923 Publisher: American Historical Society Number of Pages: 802

Author:
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 802