Genealogical and biographical record of New London County, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the early settled families, Part 105

Author:
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1568

USA > Connecticut > New London County > Genealogical and biographical record of New London County, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the early settled families > Part 105

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Mr. Hawkins was elected sheriff from New Il- don county in 1880, and immediately entered 1 the duties of the office. That his manner of - forming those duties had met the approval of fe people of the county is best told in the overwli ing majorities he received in his successive re- tions. The county jails in New London and wich were under his jurisdiction. The one in London had sixty-four cells and that in Nor Th fifty, and both throughout are models of cleanli The affairs of the county institutions under s charge were admirably administered, strict disci fe necessarily being enforced. His vigilance in the of the offenders of the law was unceasing, andas rogues' gallery was one of the most complete. ste August, 1882, he had made New London his h

The father of Sheriff Hawkins died when fe latter was but a boy, and thus early in life he dis thrown much upon his own resources, and his aus a self-reliant nature that made his success in 1 ;a foregone conclusion. He was bound to succee n anything he undertook, and that was the keyno of his character throughout his life.

Mr. Hawkins married July 4, 1858, Miss Sn F. Rood (born June 29, 1842, in Plainfield, Con), with whose brother Joseph he was associated inne sawmill business for a brief period just after lis marriage. To this union were born two child: Flora J., deceased ; and Ella E., the wife of Si fey A. Brown, of New London.

Mr. Hawkins was a member of many frat fal organizations and was popular in all. One of ·se was Sedgwick Post, No. I, G. A. R., Hawkins pi- vision, of Norwich, and another was Unifo: d Rank, K. of P., of New London, which division as named after him. He also belonged to Mount r- non Lodge, No. 75, F. & A. M., of Jewett Cit to the Arcanum Club of Norwich, and was an lider- ary member of Wauregan Hook and Ladder ( In- pany, No. I, of Norwich. He was a Red Marfan American Mechanic, and belonged to the Thies Club, New London.

The funeral of the late Sheriff Hawkins ok place at the Second Congregational Church in London, where the services were conducted by lie pastor, Rev. James W. Bixler, assisted by Rev. ] |h- ard Povey, of the Methodist Church. The hondry bearers were Sheriff Edwin J. Smith of Har rd county, Sheriff Charles R. Spiegel of New Hen county, Sheriff Sidney E. Hawley, of Fairfield ( 11- ty, Sheriff Charles B. Pomeroy of Windham co l'y, Sheriff Edward A. Nellis of Litchfield coby, Sheriff Thomas S. Brown, of Middlesex co ty, Sheriff Amasa P. Dickinson of Tolland county. he body bearers were members of Mount Vernon L ge F. & A. M., of Jewett City, that organization hang charge of the funeral.

The singing at the church was by the Bra rd

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ge q1 tette, Messrs. Charles B. Jennings, Frank Lenyf, Herbert M. Gardner and Jesse Moon. quat tte sang "Remember Now Thy Creator" "In n. to tl emoriam." W. H. Bush presided at the e services at the cemetery were accord- Masonic ritual, and were conducted by int non Lodge. Trumbull Lodge, No. 48, Haw ns Division, No. 18, sent delegations to funer ; also Mohegan Lodge, I. O. O. F., and yard uncil, O. U. A. M., while fifteen mem- fount Vernon Lodge attended. All the of niner citizens of New London were among e whopaid tribute to the dead. The floral offer- werd of unusual number and beauty, that pre- ed bythe High Sheriff's Association of the

e, of hich the deceased was president, being

iall table. All these outward tokens of re- t wer but a true index to the universal esteem respe in which Sheriff Hawkins was held.

The flowing poem was composed by a com- at thị ime of Mr. Hawkins' death.

mrade trewell, your labors are done, e batt. is over, the victory won, u fell your armor, face to the foe, w bra y you battled none ever may know.

you suffered without a complaint,

patien e spiri vas strong, if the body was faint, shone your acts as bright as the stars, ile th oor shattered body was covered with scars.

ir lastuster out promotion has bought, ve the place for which you have fought.

1 110W '11 rer nber you, comrade, and daily prepare the 1 grand encampment to be held over there. B.

EUEIN S. BARTLETT. Although descend- ancient and honored line, Reuben S. ett nals no reflection from past glory to es- h hir dear 11 wh in the esteem of his fellow-citizens, or n to a large circle of personal friends. bear the name of Bartlett are of Nor- ancesty, the first family record being of one i Bar

tt, who, as one of the retinue of Brian, ight, me to England with William the Con- r andought so bravely at Hastings that he riven grant of land in Sussex. On this vast was jected the ancestral Bartlett mansion, in the c st ev gray stones having resisted storm and since, remaining, with much land, in ssess 1 of the Bartlett family to this day. In d Ne inset n of 1. Go nan church near by are marble slabs, ures of brass, showing a regular suc- urtletts, from John, who died in 1428, ge Bartlett, who died in November, aged ghty-four years. Sir Walter B. Bart- te prent representative of the English branch fam was created a baronet in 1875. the eenth century a castle appears as the of theboat of arms, which was granted by Ed- the 1; ck Prince, to John Bartlett, for taking stle (

Fontenoy, in France. Since have been a sw and double castle. The original coat ne Bartlett family was: Three open

left-hand falconer's gloves with golden tassels on the wrist. The coat of arms now in use is very elabor- ate, representing combinations of the coats of arms of the families with which the Bartletts have inter- married.

The earliest record of the Bartlett family which has been found in America was in the town of Wey- mouth, Mass., this reading: "John Bartlett, son of John Bartlett and Sarah his wife, born February II, 1666." It is reasonable to suppose that the first John Bartlett came hither from his home in Surrey, Eng- land, with some of the early settlers.

The only other record of John Bartlett (2) is mention of his son, Ezra, who was born April 4, 1703, and married Jane Lewis, Sept. 9, 1728. Ezra had a son Richard, who was born Feb. 28, 1738, and married Kezia Tucker. The Killingly records tell of numerous land transactions in which Richard Bartlett took part. On July 19, 1784, he bought 180 acres on the Rhode Island line, on the road leading from his home at Chestnut Hill to Provi- dence; on Dec. 19, 1785, he bought of Richard Tucker a tract of land in Killingly ; on June 1, 1794, he bought of A. Brown, of Killingly, a saw and grist mill, and on June 20, 1797, he bought of Pel- tiah Mason another tract of land, and had other real- estate transactions. On the land once his now stand three mammoth cotton mills with their villages of from 700 to 800 inhabitants. The mansion he erect- ed still stands, and has been the home of the Bart- letts for five generations.

Reuben Bartlett, son of Richard, and grandfather of Reuben S. Bartlett, was born Nov. II, 1782, in Killingly, Conn., and died there Aug. 19, 1849. Like his father, he was a large landowner and con- ducted a saw and grist mill. He married Polly Bur- gess, who was born March 22, 1784, and died Aug. 28, 1859. Their children were: Minerva, born Oct. 9, 1805; Richard, Jan. 29, 1807; Laura, Feb. 28, 1808; Lillis, Feb. 17, 1810; Waldo, Nov. 15, 18II ; Almira, Aug. 16, 1814; Marinda, Sept. II, 1816; Caroline, Oct. 20, 1818; Charles, Dec. 25, 1821 ; Erastus, Nov. 9, 1823 ; and Harriet, March 4,. 1826.

Waldo Bartlett, son of Reuben and father of Reuben S., was born Nov. 15, 1811, in Killingly, Conn., and died April 30, 1873, on his farm in Kill- ingly, where he had spent the greater part of his life. He was a man of high repute and excellent judgment, a member of the Baptist Church, and for many years held the position of selectman of his town. On Sept. 13, 1832, Waldo Bartlett married Mary Ann Covell, who was born May 8, 1813, and died May 6, 1889, in Killingly. She was a daughter of Arba (born in 1787, died Jan. 7, 1857) and Mary Ann Covell, both of Killingly. The children of Waldo Bartlett and his wife were: Leonard, born July 13, 1833; Almon, Aug. 28, 1835; Elizabeth, Nov. 9, 1838; Prescott, Dec. 5, 1841 (died Jan. 28, 1901) ; Kezia, April 21, 1844; Almira, June 23, 1847 ; Reuben S., Dec. 11, 1849; Henry, March 14,

com a

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1853 (died Dec. 1, 1901) ; Charles F., Sept. 27, 1856. These children married as follows: Leonard mar- ried Thirza Barber ; Almon married Mary Reynolds ; Elizabeth married G. Henry Law ; Prescott married (first) Maria S. Bastoe, and (second) Josephine Matilda Kenyon; Kezia married George Harris; Almira married J. N. Tucker ; Reuben S. married Emerancey F. Fairmon ; Henry married Peoria Gardner ; and Charles F. married Lillie Davis.

Reuben S. Bartlett, the subject proper of these lines, was born in the town of Killingly, Dec. II, 1849. He attended the public schools of his native town, and at the age of thirteen years began work as a clerk in a grocery store, where he spent three years. Entering the Schofield Commercial College, at Providence, he spent a year there, and on return- ing to Killingly he entered the office of the White- stone Manufacturing Company, as bookkeeper, where he worked for seven years, after which he entered into partnership with his father-in-law, D. G. Fairmon, in the mercantile business. After three years of this connection Mr. Fairmon died, and Mr. Bartlett carried on the business for a year and a half. In 1880 he sold out and came to Norwich, where he bought the grocery of O. C. Dimock, which he conducted until 1896. In 1892 he was elected to the water board, and was chosen its president; in July, 1893, he was elected superintendent of the water works, succeeding E. P. Gardner, which office he held until 1902, when the change of administra- tion came. Mr. Bartlett ever gave satisfaction in the discharge of the duties of this position, admin- istering its affairs with strict adherence to business methods. He has been otherwise prominently con- nected with municipal affairs. In 1886 1 was elected a member of the common coun- cil, in 1888 he was elected alderman, and was the senior alderman for two years. During his term he served on important com- mittees, and was chairman of the fire department committee. For five years he was a member of the West Chelsea board of education. Politically he is a stanch Republican. Fraternally Mr. Bartlett is a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging to the Mys- tic Shrine, and is one of the incorporators of the Ma- sonic Temple, representing Connecticut in Sover- eign Consistory. He is also a member of the Arca- num Club. Mr. Bartlett is identified with various important enterprises of his city, being a trustee of the Norwich Savings Society, an incorporator of the Norwich, Mystic & Westerly Street Railway Company, president of the Retail Grocers Associa- tion, and a member of the Board of Trade. He and his family attend the West Side Baptist Church.

Mr. Bartlett married Emerancey F. Fairmon, daughter of Daniel G. Fairmon, and they have had two children: Evelyn F., who married Charles F. Lamb, and has two children, Arthur Russell and Frank B .; and Frank R., who was educated in the Norwich public schools and the Free Academy, and is now a civil engineer with Chandler & Palmer.

NELSON J. AYLING, Judge of Frobate the Norwich District, and a well known membe the New London County Bar, was born Oct 1868, in Columbus township, Warren Co., Pe sylvania.

On the paternal side Judge Ayling is of Eng extraction, his father being a native of the Cor of Surrey, England. On the maternal side, in Carrier line, his ancestry goes back into one of old New England families, and one that for ( two hundred years has been identified with London county. Through his mother, who Mary Carrier, Judge Ayling is a descendant Thomas Carrier, whose wife, Martha (Allen), burned at the stake, in 1692, as one of the un tunate victims of witchcraft.

John Ayling, the grandfather of Judge Ayly came to the United States with his wife-who Is Jane Trussler-and family from England, and tled in Columbus township, Warren Co., Pa. it was then a comparatively new section of court where many of the hardships and privations cident to pioneer life had yet to be endured. He ca home was established, and John Ayling reared is family of thirteen children, each one of win lived to marry and had children-an unusual rec a.

One of this family was Henry M. Ayling, fe father of Judge Ayling, and who was but a lad van his parents emigrated to America. He was n June 26, 1835, in the County of Surrey, Eng! '1. Reared to manhood in a new country, he natu fy took to the line of business that every farmer's in found the source of quite a few spare dollars irhe winter seasons-the business of lumbering. Ler in life Henry M. Ayling carried on lumbering for himself. The timber was rafted down the .- gheny river, and often on down to Ohio river F /s. Subsequently Mr. Ayling gave his attention to f /1- ing, in which, as in his other business, he was c- cessful, and became one of the substantial mebf his section, where he and his wife are highly s- teemed and included among the very best clasof citizens.

Mrs. Henry M. Ayling was formerly Miss My Carrier, born April 28, 1846, in Warren con,y, Pa., daughter of Nelson and Thurza (Marble) }r- rier. Two children were born to Henry M. A:ng and wife, Nelson J., our subject, and Lola |I., whose husband, Warren R. Carr, occupies a res n- sible position with the Erie Railway Co. The je- side at Bear Lake, Pa. In political matters [r. Ayling has long been one of the prominent men ers of the Republican party in his section. He seed as county commissioner of Warren county. Hend his wife are both consistent members of the Clis- tian Church.

Judge Ayling practically passed the first le - teen years of his life in his native town, and her than the time he was away at school he lived ith his parents. He was reared on a farm, acquing a thorough practical knowledge of farm work, ch

Along ayling

461

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ful higł

as ( Id be secured by the only son of a success- rmer in an agricultural section. With his chool course finished, young Ayling concluded to eltinue his education. The life of a farmer did peal to him, notwithstanding the excellent unity afforded by his father's willingness to m what would be considered a fine chance at n that line. Young Ayling preferred the op- ities of a business life, even though it meant hting of his own battle. He entered business at Oswego, N. Y., and after fitting himself

not opp give hom por the colle for okkeeping and stenography accepted a posi- tion that capacity with Sawyer, Manning & Co., yarr ind knit goods manufacturers, of Boston, Mas He was diligent and faithful, and with his natt lly courteous manner readily stood in great favc with his employers, with whom he remained unti. 391, when he accepted a similar position with

the ion Hardware Co., of Torrington, Conn. By close pplication, and a careful study of his work, he sn demonstrated his capabilities, and his re- spor ilities were increased. During the latter

peri of his connection with that company he was its p chasing agent, and had charge of the requisi- tion apartment. A responsible position of this kind nd with one of the largest and best known man licturing concerns in Connecticut, where as muc as $50,000 per month was disbursed, would highly complimentary to any young man of seem less in twenty-five, no matter how ambitious. It only Des to show the determined character of the your. more

man to succeed along lines that were to him attractive than the manufacturing business, whenne would resign from his excellent position there Mr.

to begin at the very bottom in another. This ling did when, in April, 1894, he began the studioof law with Halsey & Briscoe, in Norwich, Con He was admitted to the Bar of New Lon- con unty in December, 1898, and at once began activ practice, which he followed with more than ordin y success until entering upon his duties as Judg of Probate of the Norwich District, Jan. I, 1905 Judge Ayling was appointed clerk of the City purt of Norwich, Jan. 1, 1897, and continued to see until July 1, 1899, when he was appointed City Attorney for the city and town of Norwich. He is twice appointed to succeed himself in this office from which he resigned when he became Prob Judge.

1 stanch Republican Judge Ayling has taken a pro inent part in the political affairs of his city and he is and

stron

was

: only considered one of the party's counselors visers in his section, but also one of its st men in Norwich. In November, 1902, he :cted to the Connecticut Senate from the strict. He served as chairman of three im-

committees : Agriculture, Rules (Joint) and

10th porta Cons prais T

itional Amendments (Joint), and won high or his faithful and efficient service.

Judge is a trustee of the Norwich Savings

Society, and a director of the Thames Loan & Trust Co., of Norwich. He is junior warden of Somerset Lodge, No. 34, A. F. & A. M. ; a member of Frank- lin Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M .; of Franklin Council, No. 3, R. & S. M .; Columbian Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar, Norwich; and Sphinx Temple, Mystic Shrine, Hartford. He is a past commander of Harmony Lodge, No. 27, Knights of Pythias, and a member of Harmony Division, Uniform Rank, K. of P., Torrington, Conn. ; a member of Norwich Lodge, No. 430, B. P. O. E .; and a member of the Arcanum Club, of Norwich. Since April 5, 1901, he has been corporal of Company A, 3d Regiment, C. N. G.

The high standing of Judge Ayling in Norwich is such as to reflect great credit upon him as a citi- zen, individual and public official. An entire stranger there but little more than a decade ago, without the prestige of family relation or even friendship, he has, by his strict integrity and hon- esty of purpose, gained that which is far more to his credit, the confidence, esteem and admiration of his fellow-townsmen. His friends are by no means con- fined to the ranks of his political party, or to the membership of his secret societies. His pleasant, un- assuming manner, his approachability, his keen re- gard for what is fair and right, have made him hosts of friends in every association of life.

Judge Ayling was married, June 7, 1904, in Nor- wich, Conn., to Miss Mildred, daughter of G. Parker and Olive E. (Fisher) Gifford, of that city.

JOHN C. HOUSE, for several years a member of the board of selectmen of the town of Franklin, and one of the esteemed citizens of the place, comes of one of the old and numerous families of Glaston- bury, Hartford Co., Connecticut.

Lazarus House, grandfather of John C., was born in Glastonbury, and there resided, in the east- ern part of the town, where he was engaged in farming. He married Rebecca Risley and had thir- teen children, eleven sons and two daughters, the youngest of the family being Calvin.

Calvin House, father of John C., was born July 14, 1801, in Glastonbury, and there resided until he had grown to manhood, working upon the farm and attending the neighborhood schools. When he was twenty-one he married and removed to Cha- tham, Middlesex county, locating in the northern portion of the town, near the Glastonbury line, upon a farm which he had purchased. There he made his home until 1844, when he disposed of the farm and moved to "Cotton Hollow," in South Glaston- bury, and was employed as a teamster by Watkins & Bartholomew ; several of the older members of his family were employed in the mill. After remain- ing there for four years he purchased a farm in Salem, New London Co., Conn., and there made his home for several years, when he removed to Boz- rah and engaged with the Fitchville Company as superintendent of their farm, continuing thus for

nty. A hard worker for the party's success,

462

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

five years. At the expiration of that period he re- turned to his farm in Salem, but a few years later disposed of it and came to Franklin, buying a house near that of his son where he lived until his death, which occurred Nov. 8, 1879, after an illness of four weeks of typhoid fever. He was buried at Yantic. Throughout his life he enjoyed excellent health, so that his last illness was a sad surprise to his family. His large family was reared in comfort, and when he died, although he had started out in life a poor man, he left a comfortable estate. In politics he was a Democrat, and held a few of the lesser offices of the town of Salem. He was a member of the Congregational Church in Salem, although early in life he was a Methodist, transferring his member- ship because there was no church of his denomina- tion in Salem.

Calvin House married Julia Ackley, of Chatham, daughter of Daniel and Martha (Hardin) Ackley, who was born Dec. 19, 1802, and died Jan. 16, 1900. After the death of her husband she lived with her son John C., until a few months prior to her demise, when she went to live with her daughter, Mrs. Rob- inson, in Franklin, where her death occurred. Un- til within a couple of years previous she was re- markably well preserved. She was a consistent member and active worker of the Congregational Church. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. House: Martha, Aug. 27, 1824, married Hudson Alger, and resided in Glastonbury, where she died Aug. 14, 1886; John Calvin, Nov. 8, 1826, is mentioned below; Julia I., Sept. 16, 1829, mar- ried Selden Hodge, and died in Vernon, Conn., March 7, 1852 ; Lavinna, May 20, 1833, is the widow of Erastus Chapman, a butcher and resident of South Glastonbury ; Fidelia, June 1, 1835, became the second wife of Selden Hodge and now resides in Franklin, a widow ; Rebecca S., Dec. 14, 1838, married William Robinson, a farmer in Franklin, a veteran of the Civil war; Mary C., Oct. 20, 1840, widow of Albert Daniels, resides in Norwich.

John C. House was born in Chatham and was seventeen years of age when his parents moved to South Glastonbury. He attended the district schools until he was fifteen, although after he was twelve his educational advantages were confined to the winter months, while during the summer he worked very hard upon the farm. At South Glas- tonbury he was employed in the mill, and until he was twenty-one his wages went to aid in support- ing the family. He lived at home until he was twenty-four, when he was married, and for eight years thereafter he resided on the farm in Salem, and then for eight years was boss farmer for Asa Fitch, on a farm belonging to the latter near Fitch- ville. After the death of Mr. Fitch Mr. House pur- chased property in the town of Bozrah, on the Col- chester road, but after a short time removed to the farm belonging to William Fitch, near Yantic, and was boss farmer there for five years. After a resi- dence of three years in Yantic, during which time

he was boss farmer for Winslow Williar he moved in 1874, to his present farm, which lead purchased a few years previously of Dwight go. This place consists of 100 acres, which he dotes to general farming, and he has made numero* provements upon this property, developing one of the best farms in the town. Anto

On March 16, 1851, in South Glastonbur Mr. orn

House was married to Almeda A. Bidwell Aug. 23, 1828, daughter of Erastus and Inny (Childs) Bidwell. Children as follows blesse this union : Julia Emma, born April 23, 1854, n tried A. Oliver Martin, and resides in Lebanon, fın .; their children are John W., Anderson O., lay- ward C. and Ralph. Fannie Doane, born At. 7, 1863, died Sept. 1, 1864. Almeda A., born F ) 13, 1866, married Albert L. French, of Willin tic, and has two children, Doris Vera and Donald len.

In politics Mr. House is a Democrat, a he has served as'assessor, member of the board } re- lief and for a dozen years upon the board of fect- men. He united with the Baptist Church at tch- ville, as did his wife, and has continued one ; its most honored members. Mr. House is very

lus- trious and entirely a self-made man. Both and his most excellent wife are very highly esteer PI by a large circle of warm friends.

HON. FREDERICK J. BROWN, one the well known and influential citizens of the ton of Lebanon, resides at Maple Glen Farm, in feter Society, in that town.

Mr. Brown's grandfather resided in ¡ me, Conn., where he was engaged in farming. 't is presumed that his name was David. By h first marriage he had children as follows: David who was a farmer in Colchester; John M., fat - of Frederick J .; Christopher, who died in Le fon ; and Henry, a farmer, who died in Lyme Con- necticut.

John M. Brown was born in 1807 in me, Conn., and when a small boy made his homeor a short time with a Mr. Wright, in Colchester | Re- turning to Lyme he resided there during hi arly manhood, engaged in farming. Moving their, he resided on farms in the towns of Bolton, Fpron and Colchester, and in the spring of 1866 rebved to Lebanon, locating on the farm now occupi and owned by Frederick J. Brown. There he en liged in farming the remainder of his life, althou a number of years prior to his death, May 5. 879, for he was in feeble health. His remains were his rest in the Exeter cemetery. At the time d to death he was in very comfortable circumstanc and stood very high in the estimation of his fello citi- zens. In early life he was a Whig, but up the formation of the Republican party he ente f its ranks and thereafter always supported its |ndi- dates, although he himself did not aspire to ffice, being too much occupied with his own · vate affairs.

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Genealogical and biographical record of New London County, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the early settled families, Part 105

Author: Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1568

Author:
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1568