USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 9 > Part 35
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Middletown, Connecticut ; in 1865 he was appointed State's attorney, and in June, 1875, judge of the Superior Court. By his high integrity and sincere manner he made and held many friends, and estab- lished a prestige of his name and family which has been ably upheld by his son, of further mention.
Hon. Moses (2) Culver took an active interest in all matters pertaining to the government of his city and State; he was a regular attendant of the Congregational church. He married, May 18, 1845, in Chester, Connecticut, Lucinda Baldwin, born January 25, 1822, died August 23, 1897, daughter of David and Cynthia (Snow) Baldwin, and a descendant of Richard Baldwin, an early settler in Mil- ford, Connecticut.
Richard Baldwin was a son of Sylvester Baldwin, who died June 21, 1638, on the ship "Martin," during a voyage from England to America. Richard Baldwin was baptized August 25, 1622, in Parish Ashton, Clinton, Buckinghamshire, Eng- land, and was well educated and versed in the law. His handwriting, still preserved, is like engraved script. He settled in Mil- ford, Connecticut, joined the church May 9, 1641, and had a homestead of three acres on the west side of the Wepawaug river in 1646. An intelligent and forceful man, he was active in many ways in the new colony, was representative in 1662 and 1664, was sergeant of militia, kept an inn, and died July 23, 1665. He married Sarah Bryan, and their third son, Zach- ariah Baldwin, was baptized September 22, 1660, in Milford, where he was a prom- inent and useful citizen, sergeant of militia, auditor in 1696, eighteen sessions a member of Assembly, and dignified in records with the title of "Mr." His will was proved April 6, 1733, indicating that he died early in that year. He married Elizabeth, widow of Ezekiel Sanford.
Their eldest son, Zachariah (2) Baldwin, born in Milford, owned land in Water- bury, Connecticut, and purchased land in Stratford in 1714. He lived in that por- tion of the town now Huntington, on Walnut Tree Hill, and established a ferry in 1723, by leave of the General Court. He was a member of the Protestant Epis- copal church of Huntington, whose rec- ords show his death on November 6, 1766. He married, in Milford, August 25, 1708, Sarah Merwin. Israel Baldwin, fifth son of this marriage, was baptized August 12, 1722, in Stratford, and died there Novem- ber 13, 1805. For some years he lived in Wolcott, Connecticut, and married Widow Chatterton of New Haven. Their son, David Baldwin, born May 27, 1787, in Wolcott, lived in Chester, Connecticut, where he died at the age of ninety-one years. He married, in Killingworth, Cynthia Snow, and they were the parents of Lucinda Baldwin, born January 25, 1822, who became the wife of Hon. Moses (2) Culver.
(VII) Moses Eugene Culver, the only son of Hon. Moses (2) and Lucinda (Baldwin) Culver, was born July 10, 1854, in East Haddam, Connecticut. He was a lad when he was brought by his parents to Middletown, Connecticut, and there he attended the public schools, preparing for Wesleyan University at the Middletown High School. He was graduated from the above-named institution in 1875, and for several months following traveled throughout the Western states. Return- ing to Middletown he took up the study of the legal profession under his father's instruction, and on March 13, 1878, was admitted to the bar. Immediately he en- gaged in the practice of law in Middle- town, and two years later was appointed prosecuting attorney of the City Court of Middletown. So well did he discharge the duties of this office that he was
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reelected ten consecutive terms, holding the office for twenty years. On July 20, 1917, Mr. Culver was appointed to fill a vacancy as county health officer, caused by the death of Judge W. V. Pearne, and on July 1, 1918, he was appointed for the full term of four years, and is now acting in that capacity.
Other interests of Mr. Culver's include a directorship of the Middletown National Bank, which he has held since 1904, and of the Middletown Building and Loan As- sociation, of which he is a director and has been attorney since its institution in 1889. His clubs are the University Club of Middletown, and the Twentieth Cen- tury. He is also a member of the Middle- sex, State and American Bar associations. He received the degree of A. B. in 1875 and of A. M. from his alma mater in 1878. Mr. Culver attends the Congregational church and for thirteen years served as its clerk, and is again occupying that posi- tion at the present time.
Mr. Culver married, June 10, 1896, Liz- zie Huntington Sparrow, of Mankato, Minnesota, daughter of Philip Bradford and Elizabeth (Isham) Sparrow. They are the parents of a daughter, Frances Baldwin Culver, born December 8, 1901.
GREENE, Frederick William,
Clergyman, Man of Fine Character.
For many years pastor of the Second Congregational Church, of Middletown, Mr. Greene endeared himself to many people in the town, both in and out of his congregation. He was descended from several prominent New England families, and it may easily be understood that he partook of those qualities which have distinguished this section of United States, especially in literary and profes- sional labor. His ancestors numbered two American pioneers by the name of
Green. The final letter on this name has been added in recent generations.
Frederick William Greene, son of Theo- dore Phinney and Mary Minot (Ains- worth) Greene, was born November 29, 1859, in Brattleboro, Vermont, where his boyhood was passed and his primary edu- cation acquired. Entering Amherst Col- lege he was graduated A. B. in 1882. He immediately began preparation at Hart- ford Theological Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1885, and September 5, 1885, he was ordained as pastor of the West Church in Andover, Massachusetts. There he continued his labors more than nine years, until he resigned on January 15, 1895, to become pastor of the South Church in Middletown, Connecticut, where he was installed January 29, 1895. Under his ministrations, the church has grown and expanded greatly in financial and moral strength, though its numbers have not been materially increased. By his lovable disposition and faithful labors, Mr. Greene endeared himself, not only to his congregation, but to the people of the city generally, and the number of his friends was limited only to those per- mitted to enjoy his acquaintance. While in Andover, he served as chairman of the School Board from 1889 to 1892, and in Middletown he shared widely in the labors incident to good citizenship, striv- ing in every way to foster the welfare and uplifting of the community. He was a director of the Missionary Society of Con- necticut, and a trustee of the Hartford Theological Seminary Fund for ministers. He was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi Club and the Conversational Club of Mid- dletown. Mr. Greene passed away Janu- ary 4, 1920, at his summer home in Jaf- frey, which was the original home of Rev. Laban Ainsworth. Ill health in the spring of 1919 had compelled him to lay aside his labors. His character is well de-
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scribed in the following obituary notice prepared by his lifelong friend, Professor Williston Walker, provost of Yale Uni- versity :
Mr. Greene made profession of his Christian faith while still in his boyhood home, and entered Amherst College in the Class of 1882, already determined to devote his life to the Christian min- istry. Graduation from college was followed by three years in Hartford Theological Seminary. Soon after the completion of his Seminary course in 1885, he was ordained to the pastorate of the West Parish Congregational Church in Andover, Massachusetts. That ministry he exchanged, in 1895, after ten years of service, for the pastorate of the South Congregational Church of Middle- town, Connecticut, in which he continued till his death. These long ministries were noticeably marked by pastoral leadership. Mr. Greene was always a preacher of earnestness and scholarly preparation; but his preëminence was in his inti- mate and affectionate interest in his people. He knew them in their joys and sorrows, and he loved them; they in turn loved and respected him. His was what is sometimes called the "old-fash- ioned" relationship of pastor and people,-an inti- macy and understanding which only long walking together in Christian paths can produce.
Mr. Greene's interest embraced the welfare of the community in which he lived and of the state of his ministry. His quarter of a century in Con- necticut brought him in intimate acquaintance with its religious concerns. He was greatly trusted by his ministerial associates. He served his old Sem- inary as a trustee. He was in constant demand for important commitee service in his Association and his State Conference. To all he undertook he gave self-sacrificing devotion, great patience, and a soundness of judgment that always commanded the confidence of his associates.
To his friends he was always radiant of good cheer. His home in Jaffrey was the center of a wide group of classmates, to whom he was the chief attraction. His home life was marked by a natural, simple piety such as is far too seldom encountered. He exhibited an absolute unselfish- ness of spirit. No thought of self-seeking or of personal advantage apparently ever entered his mind. He impressed anyone who knew him as one whose fellowship was always with the abid- ing and eternal. He has entered on no unknown country. His citizenship has been there since boyhood.
Mr. Greene married, June 4, 1885, in New Britain, Connecticut, Eliza Farrar Walter, born May 31, 1861, baptized March 30, 1862, at First Church, the youngest child of Henry and Anna Far- rar (Clary) Walter, natives of London, England, and Dover, New Hampshire. They were the parents of four sons and two daughters. Of his sons, the eldest, Theodore, is a minister of the Brick Pres- byterian Church in New York City. The second, Walter, was a teacher in the Syrian Protestant College in Beirut, throughout the war, and is now an assist- ant in Yale University. The two younger, Frederick and William Ainsworth, are students in Amherst College. Of his daughters, Anna Bancroft is a teacher of art in Norwood, Massachusetts, and Dor- othy, a teacher of Domestic Science in Delaware. Henry Walter, father of Mrs. Greene, was born June 23, 1812, a son of William and Jane (Thomas) Walter. He was a manufacturer of hardware in New Britain ; he joined the church in 1851. He married (third), December 16, 1856, Anna Farrar Clary, born February 6, 1822, in Dover, daughter of the Rev. J. W. and Anna (Farrar) Clary. She joined the church, October 3, 1858, by letter. from the church in New Ipswich, New Hamp- shire.
WHITTLESEY, Heman Charles, Manufacturer, Ideal Citizen.
The surname of Whittlesey is of the class known as "names derived from locality." It was early assumed by fam- ilies living in the neighborhood of the Whittlesea Fens, Cambridgeshire, Eng- land. It is found as early as the tenth century, and includes an archbishop of Canterbury.
(I) John Whittlesey, the English an- cestor of the family, was born July 4,
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1623, in Cambridgeshire, England, and died April 15, 1704. He was a son of John and Lydia (Terry) Whittlesey. In 1635 he came to America with the Lords Say & Seal Company, and was at Boston, Massachusetts, for a time, subsequently was at Saybrook, Connecticut. In 1648 he was located in Middletown, removing thence to a site on the bank of the river near Saybrook, where he was the keeper of the ferry across the river. In 1644 and 1685 he was a representative to the Gen- eral Assembly, and again in 1696, 97, 98, 1699. He served as collector of minister's rates in 1678; townsman in 1697. He married, at Saybrook, June 20, 1664, Ruth Dudley, born April 20, 1645, died Septem- ber 27, 1714, daughter of William and Jane (Lutman) Dudley, formerly of Sheen, in Surrey, England, who came from Guilford, Surrey, to Guilford, Con- necticut, in 1639, and died there.
(II) Eliphalet Whittlesey, son of John and Ruth (Dudley ) Whittlesey, born July 24, 1679, died September 4, 1759. In 1707 he removed to Newington, where he purchased land and engaged in farming. He was prominent in church and civil life, serving on many of the former's commit- tees and also served as treasurer. He married, December 1, 1702, Mary Pratt, born May 24, 1677, eldest child of John and Mary (Andrews) Pratt, of Saybrook; she died March 22, 1758.
(III) Eliphalet (2) Whittlesey, son of Eliphalet (1) and Mary (Pratt) Whit- tlesey, was born May 10, 1714, in New- ington, and died July 12, 1786. He was a farmer, and through his thrift acquired quite a competence. During the Colonial wars, he took an active part, was a brave soldier, and one of the most worthy citi- zens of his community. In 1761 he re- moved to Washington, Connecticut, and there united with the church, of which he was deacon. He was a member of the
General Assembly from Kent in May, 1775. He married, December 16, 1736, Dorothy Kellogg, born December 24, 1716, daughter of Martin and Dorothy (Ches- ter) Kellogg, and she died April 14, 1772 (see Kellogg, Henry L.). She was a truly remarkable woman, noted for her strength and endurance.
(IV) Eliphalet (3) Whittlesey, son of Eliphalet (2) and Dorothy (Kellogg) Whittlesey, was born July 2, 1748, and died January 25, 1823, in Newington. There he was engaged in farming until his removal to Stockbridge, Massachu- setts, where he was a member of Captain Ezra Whittlesey's company, Third Berk- shire Regiment. He married, December 15, 1771, Comfort Waller, born November 15, 1750, in Kent, died April 30, 1825.
(V) Heman Whittlesey, son of Eli- phalet (3) and Comfort (Waller) Whittle- sey, was born December 6, 1788, in Stock- bridge, and died April 17, 1826. He lived at his father's home during his lifetime, and was a manufacturer of woolen cloths for men's wear. He has the distinction of being the first in America to make broad- cloths. He was a corporal in Captain Hunt's company during the War of 1812, rising to rank of captain. He married, June 7, 1818, at Newington, Electa Kel- logg, born there, December 24, 1793, died December 5, 1838, daughter of Martin and Hannah (Robbins) Kellogg, granddaugh- ter of Martin and Mary (Boardman) Kel- logg (see Kellogg, H. L.).
(VI) Heman Alonzo Whittlesey, son of Heman and Electa (Kellogg) Whittle- sey, was born October 25, 1823, in Stock- bridge, and was a farmer in Newington, Connecticut. Late in life he removed to Middletown, and there made his home until his death. As a young man he re- moved to Newington, where he pur- chased a farm near the center of the town, consisting of 136 acres, where he engaged
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in general farming with success. He was active in both church and town affairs, was deacon of the church, treasurer of the town, and active in the grange, of which he was an officer. During the Civil War he served as selectman of the town. He was an earnest supporter of Republican principles, and was esteemed and hon- ored for his upright character. He mar- ried, at Newington, January 21, 1847, Eunice Cordelia Lattimer, born Septem- ber 14, 1826, in Newington, daughter of Erastus and Seviah Hart (Webster) Lat- timer, of Newington. Their children were: Jane E., wife of George S. Dem- ing ; Eunice C., deceased ; Heman Charles, of further mention; Georgianna, wife of G. W. Wilson.
Eunice C. (Lattimer) Whittlesey, wife of Heman A. Whittlesey, was a descend- ant of John Lattimer, who probably came from England, presumably of French an- cestry, and was a resident of Wethers- field, Connecticut, as early as 1638. The records show that he made numerous purchases of homesteads in that town and also sold property. At the time of his death, in 1662, he was one of the wealth- iest landholders of the town. His will mentions his wife, Anne, and several chil- dren.
His eldest son, Sergeant John Latti- mer, was born January 4, 1650, in Weth- ersfield, was constable in 1685, and col- lector in 1698. He inherited the dwelling house and buildings on the northern part of his father's homestead on the east side of Broad street, Wethersfield, and in the allotment of 1694 drew a share in the public lands. In February, 1704, his house was one of six ordered to be forti- fied against Indian attacks. In 1706 he was surveyor of highways. He married, April 29, 1680, Mary, whose surname is not preserved in Wethersfield records.
Their fourth son, Luther Lattimer, was
born May 22, 1692, in Wethersfield, and married there April 18, 1712, Elizabeth, whose surname was probably Wickham.
Their youngest child, Wickham Latti- mer, was born December 15, 1720, in Wethersfield, and married, September 3, 1741, Sarah Gary, probably a daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah Gary, of Wethers- field. Only one of the children of Na- thaniel and Sarah Gary is recorded in that town.
Luther Lattimer, second son of Wick- ham Lattimer, born October 17, 1744, in Wethersfield, married there, April 6, 1767, Dorothy Smith.
Their eldest child, Uzziel Lattimer, born November, 1769, married Lucy Tay- lor.
Their son, Erastus Lattimer, born about 1800, died in Newington, September 19, 1876. He married, in Berlin, Connecti- cut, December 9, 1824, Sarah Hart Web- ster, who was born September 23, 1801, in Newington, died March 21, 1869, sec- ond daughter of John and Eunice (Dem- ing) Webster, of that town. She was a descendant of Governor John Webster, of Hartford, of the seventh generation, and also a descendant of John Deming, one of the early settlers of Wethersfield, one of those named in the famous charter granted to Connecticut by King Charles. He held many public offices, and was prominent in community affairs.
Eunice Cordelia Lattimer, daughter of Erastus Lattimer, became the wife of Heman A. Whittlesey, as previously noted.
(VII) Heman Charles Whittlesey, only son of Heman Alonzo and Eunice Cor- delia (Lattimer) Whittlesey, was born January 4, 1857, in Newington, Connecti- cut. As a boy he attended the public schools of his native town, and was later a student at the West Middle School, of Hartford. In 1876 he graduated from the
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Hartford High School. He immediately entered Yale and graduated in 1880, hav- ing made Phi Beta Kappa and received the degree of A. B.
Shortly afterwards he was given an ap- pointment in the Customs Service of the Chinese Empire by the Inspector Gen- eral, Sir Robert Hart, K. C. M. G., and sailed to assume his office in October, 1880. He began duty on January 1, 1881, and continued in the service for a period of eight years, during which time he was regularly promoted. He then returned home on two years leave of absence, and was married in Middletown on October I, 1890. Returning to China with his wife, he continued for another year in the same service, and then resigned, and both re- turned to the United States, arriving in Middletown, in July, 1892.
He at once became identified with the Wilcox & Crittenden Company, of Mid- dletown. The company was incorporated on January 1, 1906, and since that date Mr. Whittlesey has filled the position of secretary and treasurer. Although not in vigorous health, he has continued to aid, to the best of his powers, in various movements calculated to advance the wel- fare of his home city. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, a deacon of the South Congregational Church, and first vice-president of the Middletown Savings Bank. For several years he was secretary and treasurer of the Middlesex County Historical Society. While main- taining a warm interest in the progress of events, he has persistently refused to ac- cept any nomination for office offered by the Republican party, of which he has been a most loyal supporter.
and Mrs. Whittlesey are the parents of two children: Percival Wilcox, born September 1, 1891, at Foochow, China; and Winifred Hamilton, born October 30, 1892, in Middletown, Connecticut.
Their son, Percival Wilcox, graduated from Williams in 1913 with a degree of B. A., and then, after a year spent in study in Germany, was awarded the degree of M. A. in 1915. In 1916 he received the same degree of M. A. from Harvard, where he was pur- suing a Ph. D. course in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at the out- break of the great war between Germany and the United States. Early in 1917 he went to Plattsburg, New York, for a course of training, but because of lack of weight, due to illness, he resigned and went on to Washington, where he passed an examination for an appointment in the Interpreters' Corps. Subsequently he went to New York, where he joined the Intelligence Corps of the United States Expeditionary Force in France. After he had sailed, he was notified of an appoint- ment in the Interpreters' Corps, but de- clined to take it up. During the war he was stationed in Paris, where, in the office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, he was in charge of the Passport Bureau, and was also very active in intelligence work, with the rank of sergeant. He passed the necessary examinations and was recommended for promotion, but the signing of the Armistice prevented the issuance of his commission. He returned to America in August, 1919.
Their daughter, Winifred Hamilton, graduated from Lasell Seminary in 1912. She was married on May 26, 1917, to Wil- bur Clark Knowlton, of Akron, Ohio, who died suddenly as a victim of the influenza epidemic. He left a daughter, Aurelia Jane Knowlton, who with her mother is
Mr. Whittlesey married, October I, 1890, in Middletown, Mary Wilcox, daughter of William Walter and Eliza- beth (Crittenden) Wilcox, elsewhere mentioned at length in this work. Mr. residing in Middletown, Connecticut.
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DAVIS, Frank Talcott, Mechanical Engineer.
Throughout his adult life identified with Middletown, Mr. Davis has worked his way from meagre employment to that of a responsible position with the Con- necticut Power Company. He descended from a very old family of the State, and has demonstrated the Yankee qualities that produce successful men.
(I) The founder of the Davis family appears to have been John Davis, who was first in Ipswich, Massachusetts, and in 1641 was master of a seagoing vessel. In that year he was a commoner in Ips- wich, and in the following year was resid- ing on the south side of the river in that town. In 1648 he sold out his property there, and appears as a planter at New London, Connecticut, in 1651.
(II) Andrew Davis, son of John Davis, lived in New London, Connecticut, and there married Mary Bayley, born Febru- ary 14, 1657, eldest child of Thomas and Lydia (Redfield) Bayley. It is presum- able that they were the parents of Solo- mon, of whom further.
(III) Solomon Davis, presumably son of Andrew and Mary (Bayley) Davis, born about 1685-87, appears as a resident of Killingworth, Connecticut, where his descendants have been numerous down to the present day. He married there, De- cember 28, 1709, Sarah Hayton or Hay- den, undoubtedly a descendant of the Hayden family of Windsor, which sent representatives in early generations to Killingworth.
(IV) Samuel Davis, youngest child of Solomon and Sarah (Hayton or Hayden) Davis, lived in Killingworth, and had a wife Elizabeth and five children, the eld- est born in 1753.
(V) Lemuel Davis, youngest son of Samuel and Elizabeth Davis, born prob-
ably after 1760, also lived in Killingworth with his wife, Jemima, and had five chil- dren, the eldest born in 1783. This child died in infancy, and the second child bore the same name, Peter, of whom further.
(VI) Peter Davis, son of Lemuel and Jemima Davis, was a farmer, residing on Pea Hill, Killingworth. He married Polly Kelsey, and their eldest child was Alvin, of whom further.
(VII) Alvin Davis, son of Peter and Polly (Kelsey) Davis, was born Decem- ber 14, 1807, on Pea Hill, where he grew to manhood, and passed his life engaged in agriculture. He was a man of intelli- gence and independent mind, industrious and economical, and became quite pros- perous. Too broad-minded to be an in- tense partisan, he was still a staunch sup- porter of Democratic principles. He died December 14, 1860, and was buried in the Stonehouse Cemetery. He married, No- vember 28, 1827, Julia Wright, who was born June 3, 1807, daughter of Jesse and Nancy (Strong) Wright. Jesse Wright, born 1786, was a farmer in the Pine Orchard district of Killingworth, and died in 1878. He was a son of Ashur and Beulah (Strong) Wright, the former a Revolutionary soldier, born in 1755; died in 1833.
(VIII) Sidney Talcott Davis, fourth child and eldest son of Alvin and Julia (Wright) Davis, was born June 24, 1837, on Pea Hill, where he grew to manhood, receiving the education which the com- mon schools of the neighborhood afforded. By inheritance he became owner of the paternal farm, which in time he sold and purchased another farm in the same town. In 1891 he removed to Middletown, Con- necticut, where he purchased a home on Grand street. During his last years he was employed at the Indian Hill Ceme- tery, continuing active up to a short time before his death, which occurred October
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