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 134

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 134

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On Dec. 23, 1833, he married Miss Trtha Palmer, daughter of Henry and Polly (Wi ms) (Brown) Palmer, and sister of Deacon bbert Palmer. Mrs. Leffingwell was born Ap ; 16, 22, 1814, in Preston, Conn., the youngest n a family of six children, and died Au

1900, in Norwich, at the home of her

ugh-

Missed

ter, Mrs. Anson Gardner. Mr. Leffingwell away April 1I, 1884, in Montville. Totheir union were born children as follows: John enry, ane, born Oct. 1, 1835, is mentioned below. Mar lex- born Sept. 22, 1838, married Nov. 26, 1863 ander Cutler, of Norwich, and on Sept. 22 884, became the wife of Anson Gardner, also of Novich, where she is now living a widow; by her fir hus- band she had two children who died young. seph Lyman, born Nov. 9, 1841, married Nov. 26 872, Julia Matilda Switz, daughter of John an Jane (Pitcher) Switz, of New York; he was engaged in farming in Montville when he died, Feb. 8 888,

John He Golfingwell

Assin O Leffingwill

593

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

aving wife and two sons, John Lathrop, born 1873, and George Washington, born March who are engaged in conducting the home-

ept. I , 1873 ead f

m. Orrin Bradford, born June 29, 1849, ; men

ned below.

(V ) JOHN HENRY LEFFINGWELL was born )ct. I, is par ccupię eceive oyhod $35, in Bozrah, and was two years old when ts located in Montville, on the farm now by his brother, Orrin B. Leffingwell. He nis education in the district schools, and his days were spent in hard work upon the omest .d farm. He remained with his parents ntil h marriage, when he removed to a new house hich ; father had erected on the farm, and there ved f eight years. In April, 1870, he purchased, n com ny with his brother Joseph L., the saw and rist n then owned by the late John Post, located n Boz 1, and the brothers conducted the business ogeth

until the death of Joseph, after which John I. L ngwell purchased from the heirs his rothe: f the interest, and since then has been sole owner int. From early youth Mr. Leffingwell has hown i aptitude for mechanical work, and it has lways een a pleasure for him to do any kind of vork quiring a knowledge of mechanics. Not

e an expert in running his mills, but he is ipetent to repair wagons, and do black- and repair work of all kinds. His saw-

nly is ully mithil mill is quipped with modern machinery, and he oes al sinds of work in that line. The site of the hill is 1 old one, having been thus occupied for

ver 20 years.

On pril 2, 1862, Mr. Leffingwell was married, 1 Norich, to Harriet Amanda Rogers, who was orn SIt. 26, 1836, in Lebanon, daughter of Alfred ında (Leffingwell ) Rogers. Children as allows ell : ept. ere born to Mr. and Mrs. John H. Leffing- [) Alice May, born May 25, 1865, died , 1866. (2) Walter Henry, born Aug. 8, 367, 2 nost promising young man, died May 26, 384, 2, 18; es alv ith tl hen } Fitc lockjaw. (3) Silas Weaver, born Sept. received a district school education. He s resided at home and assisted his father exception of a few weeks each summer, takes charge of the store of Henry Lewis, ille, during the absence of the proprietor ation. He is, like his father, a natural echar is a exc mar and assists in the business. In all things ost exemplary young man, and possessed ent business ability. On Sept. 22, 1898, d Mrs. Lucy B. Sholes (widow of Eben- er SI 1. 3C es), who was born in North Stonington 876, a daughter of the late John S. Bent- v, wh

died in Canterbury, Conn. Mr. and Mrs. Leffingwell have had three children : Alice rn June 20, 1899; Mervin Bentley, born 00; and Ida Harriet, born Oct. 28, 1902.

las V ary, ct. 5, Bot Mr. Leffingwell and his son are Republi- in H. Leffingwell has served several terms ns. the e latt ard of selectmen, and as assessor, holding office longer than any other person in the

town. He has also served as justice of the peace. The entire family are consistent members of the First Baptist Church at Leffingwell, and he has held several offices in the church, including that of col- lector, which position he has retained for many years. Silas W. Leffingwell is assistant superin- tendent of the Sunday-school, and is also church treasurer. The family is most highly esteemed, and both men have the full confidence of all who have had business or social relations with them. Al- though not obliged to, being a man of means, John H. Leffingwell is as hard-working as he was in his earlier days. He ranks among the most substantial citizens of the town of Bozrah. The hospitality of the Leffingwells is far-famed, and all who enter their doors are made heartily welcome.

(VIII) ORRIN BRADFORD LEFFINGWELL was born June 29, 1849, in Montville, Conn., son of John B. Leffingwell, and brother of John H. Leffing- well. He was born in the house where he now re- sides, and was educated in the Bozrah 7th district school, which is located just over the Montville town line. Leaving school at the age of twenty-one years, he took up duties on the home farm, upon which he has since resided, and at the death of his father he came into possession of the same. Mr. Leffingwell has 100 acres of land in a good state of cultivation, all inclosed by a substantial stone wall, which is well kept up, as are all the premises and the buildings on this property.

Mr. Leffingwell attends the First Baptist Church of Bozrah, of which his wife is a member, and she is also a member of the Ladies Aid Society and the Ladies' Missionary Society of the church, and takes an active part in church work. In political faith Mr. Leffingwell is a stanch Republican, but he has never found time to accept public office, devoting his time and attention to his private affairs.

On Dec. 28, 1887, Mr. Leffingwell was married to Helen Elizabeth Gadbois, daughter of George Oliver and Ellen Jane (French) Gadbois, of Mont- ville. Mrs. Leffingwell was born Oct. 16, 1868, in Waterbury, Conn. Her father is a large land owner in Montville and Plainfield, Conn., and engages in farming. He was formerly engaged in school teach- ing, and was for several years connected with the Providence and Fishkill railroad in an official posi- tion. Mrs. Leffingwell taught school in the 2d district in Montville previous to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Orrin Bradford Leffingwell have one child, Ella May, born Aug. 5, 1898, in Montville.

Mr. Leffingwell is one of the well-to-do and sub- stantial farmers of Montville. He and his wife are charitable and hospitable people, and are held in the highest esteem in their community.

JOHN P. BARSTOW passed from the scene of his earthly labors over ten years ago, but his memory still lingers in the city of Norwich, with whose life, especially in commercial circles, he was so long actively identified. From the year 1846,

594

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

when he moved to the 'city, until his death, Oct. 3, 1893, he was one of the substantial citizens of that place, successful in business, interested in public affairs, a friend and liberal supporter of religion and education-in short, a model New Englander.

Mr. Barstow was born Nov. 27, 1822, in Au- gusta, Maine, son of Elisha and Mary Palmer (Rog- ers) Barstow, and spent his boyhood days in his native place. He had the practical training which boys of that day usually received, was brought up to farm work from earliest boyhood, and had such educational advantages as the schools of the home district afforded, supplemented by attendance at the high school at Norridgewock, Maine, near Au- gusta. In 1844 he came to , Canterbury, Conn., to enter the employ of his uncle, Isaac Backus, who was engaged in the business of making cast-iron stoves. Later Mr. Barstow sold stoves from a wagon throughout Rhode Island and eastern Con- necticut, and during this time was more than or- dinarily successful as a salesman. In 1846 he came to Norwich, where he entered into partnership with his uncle in a stove and tinware business, under the name of Backus & Barstow, the firm opening in the store on Main street now occupied by C. C. Eld- ridge as a fruit store. A. short time later they re- moved to the building on Water street where Mr. Barstow did business the remainder of his life. At that time the building was of small dimensions, but it was enlarged to meet the requirements of in- creased trade, and in time land was purchased to the river front. Mr. Backus's health showing signs of failing at the end of a few years, he retired from the firm and went to reside in Canterbury.

In the year 1860 Col. Edwin Palmer, then a resi- dent of Preston, purchased an interest in the busi- ness, and for a dozen years the firm name was Bar- stow & Palmer. Because of ill health Mr. Palmer sold his interest to the senior member of the firm, who continued the business alone until the year 1876, when Frank H. Smith and George S. Byles took an interest, the name becoming J. P. Barstow & Co.

In point of active service Mr. Barstow was at the time of his death the second oldest business man on Water street, Calvin G. Rawson being his senior. Mr. Barstow was a large and powerful man, being over six feet in height, and weighing 275 pounds when in health. He was a great worker, always busy, and, in spite of the several years of ill health that preceded his death, was active to the last. He had a wonderful memory and conducted his busi- ness on correct principles, being thorough in every- thing he undertook. He was a self-made man in the best sense of the word, and became well-to-do through his own efforts, well directed.

Mr. Barstow showed his public spirit and inter- est in local affairs in many ways, and he served the city faithfully as a member of the court of common council and represented Norwich in the State Legis- lature in 1880 and 1881. In political faith he was

a stanch Republican, and, in ante-bellt days, strong anti-slavery man. He supporte fall loc enterprises, and was a director of the Chsea Sa ings bank; a trustee of the industrial girls at Middletown ; and a life member ofthe Ne London County Agricultural Society, of which was the first president, holding that of years. His interest in agricultural matte ways keen, and he was one of the prime founding the Storrs Agricultural College

sever was overs of whi institution he served as trustee from its nceptio and was president and treasurer at the

je of } death. At the time of his death a Nor ch pap commented thus upon the golden opinion which held of Mr. Barstow as a man.

In the estimation of the people of this a no m stood higher than John P. Barstow. He pos sed eve quality that goes to make up a good citizen and true ma He was generous and charitable, and his hc was l busin chief delight. He will be missed as much fr life as from his home circle.

On Aug. 27, 1850, Mr. Barstow marr

Abig T. Sharpe, who was born in Pomfret, Co! [, daug ter of Judge George and Lucretia (bbinsor Sharpe, and granddaughter of Robert SI pe, wl enlisted from Pomfret for service in tl | Revol tionary war. Mr. and Mrs. Barstow had : faughte Mattie R. The family home, on Huntingn Plad Norwich, was erected by Mr. Barstow i: , 873. 1856 he joined the Broadway Con gation Church, of which his wife was also a me ber, an he was a regular attendant on the servi | of th congregation, and gave liberally to the ipport its work. Mrs. Barstow and her da iter a eligible to the Societies of Colonial I nes a Daughters of the American Revolution.

Mr. Barstow's health was not good if the la five years of his life. He spent some tin at Sar toga and passed the winter of 1889 in Frida, 1 all in vain, though he continued active ar attend to his business affairs until just a few wes bef his death.

REUBEN H. LESTER, of Centi Grote where he is engaged as a merchant and finer, w born in Old Lyme March 14, 1831, so of Si and Olive (Huntley) Lester.

Silas Lester was a resident of Lyme here made his home all his life. By trade he is a sh carpenter, finding employment thereat i the sh yard near the Old Lyme station. He wa a stea going, conscientious workman, who lived upri life, carefully attending to his own affairs und w ning the respect of all who knew him. He w twice married. By his first wife he had wo ch dren, Silas and Fanny, both now dece: d. I his second wife Mr. Lester married Oliv Huntl daughter of Reuben Huntley, and the: child were: Louisa, who married William Ro and, a died at Old Lyme; John, of Old Lym Reul Huntley ; and Julia Ann, who married Jules Ta

595

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

r, of venty Reul tilford. Silas Lester died at the age of ars, surviving his wife a number of years. 1 H. Lester spent his boyhood days in Old yme, a'l in the schools there received his literary aining In his young manhood he engaged in hing, it later worked for R. S. Griswold, Jr. or sev al years from 1852 he was station agent Old me, a position he left to become conductor the ensolidated road from New Haven to New ondon which he continued for thirty years. Dur- g the ro yea ank. many years in railroad work he lived for in New London, and for fifteen in Groton iter leaving the road he spent seven years cond ting the restaurant in the depot at New ondon in connection with his duties as ticket gent er resigning that position to devote his tire tie to the restaurant. In the spring of 1883 cam co Centre Groton, where he purchased a rm, a has take ccess: the

while he has since engaged in other lines ver entirely abandoned farming, in which great interest, and in which he has been In 1888 Mr. Lester became the owner re at Centre Groton, conducting it under e firname of R. H. Lester & Son. His varied es in the business world have given him ful knowledge, which he has applied to ork, and found it of inestimable value. He in his methods, courteous to his custo- he commands some of the best trade in

perie uch 1 s owr uprig ers, a e tow On edyar

b. 18, 1854, Mr. Lester was married, in Conn., to Miss Eliza Geer, born June II, 33, daghter of Thomas and Thankful (Whipple) eer. llowi une I untle le died Aug. 24, 1902, the mother of the children : Marietta, born in Ledyard, 1856, married Charles F. Colver ; Olive born in Old Lyme, in January, 1858, died rthur Geer, born in Ledyard, Dec. 8, 1864, Mina Whipple, and has had two children, (born June 10, 1893) and Dorothy (born (894, died aged five years) ; and Reuben rn in Groton, Feb. 8, 1875, married Mabel on. The family are all highly esteemed,

ung ; arried ariett pt. I Idie, addin d ha many warm friends in the town where eir lili, to so large an extent, have been passed.

HO ARD AUGUSTUS HUBBARD, a well tizen of Voluntown, engaged in the jew- less, was born July 8, 1848, in the town of ain, Hartford Co., Conn., a son of Sidney 7 (Smith) Hubbard. His early boyhood : spent in the town of his birth, but when old he went to live with his uncle, Samuel at Hartford, later at Winchester, Litch- ld co ty. Here he attended the winter seasons schich and worked on the farm during the sum- ers.

Mr. Hubbard had reached the age of nine went to the farm of Andrew Hitchcock, en ir Cheshire, now New Haven county, where wa: gain given winter school opportunities,

and he remained with Mr. Hitchcock after he re- moved to Hartford. At the age of eighteen he went to a neighboring farmer, and from there went to a rule shop in Riverton, Conn., to learn a trade. During the four and a half years he remained there, he became instructed in the repairing of clocks and watches; and when he left the -shop, he traveled through New England, repairing watches, clocks and machinery of all kinds, a business he followed until 1871, when he came to Voluntown. The lo- cation suited him, and, after renting a shop, from Charles Main, he started upon a successful busi- ness career. For the past thirty-two years Mr. Hubbard has resided here, and has done the major part of the clock, watch, musical instrument and machine repairing required in this community. He seems to possess a peculiar talent for the work, and his patience and ingenuity are often rewarded by his being able to restore a perfect time-piece or instru- ment to its owner in place of the wreck he took in hand.

Mr. Hubbard has a natural love for and apprecia- tion of music and art, and he possesses some of the finest artistic works to be found in the town. He also has made a remarkable and valuable collection of birds' eggs, rare birds themselves, shells and minerals, and he can discourse understandingly about them. He is an expert taxidermist and has preserved many a family pet.

In 1892 Mr. Hubbard married Miss Lucy Ann Nichols, daughter of Bishop Tyler Nichols, and niece of the late Stephen Nichols. Mrs. Hubbard, like her husband, is fond of music and they enjoy combining their performances on the piano and harp. They have a most congenial, pleasant and hospitable home.

In politics Mr. Hubbard is independent in his views. In religious life, he endeavors to follow the Golden Rule.

CHARLES DOUGLASS BABCOCK, one of Griswold's leading agriculturists and dairy farmers, is a well-known and representative citizen of that section of New London county. He was born Sept. 15, 1875, in the town of North Stonington, a des- cendant of one of the oldest and best families of that place.

Irving Babcock, father of Charles, was born also at North Stonington, son of Henry who lived and died there. Irving Babcock followed farming in his native place, where he still resides in hale old age, respected and esteemed by cotemporaries and those of a younger generation. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, in character an upright, honest man. On Aug. 10, 1863, he married Sarah M. Tracy, and they are the parents of these children : Sarah Mabel, wife of Herbert Clifford; Jennie, wife of Albert Thompson; Mary, wife of Henry Wheeler, of Hopkinton, R. I .; Chiarles D. ; Martha Tracy, wife of Edward Briggs, of Norwich; and George Irving, on the homestead.

1own y bu ew B id M ys w K vea urlbut

Wh ars 1

596

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Charles D. Babcock was educated in the public schools of North Stonington, and a business college at Worcester, where he was graduated. He remained engaged on the home farm until 1896, when he came to the town of Griswold, and bought a tract of 200 acres near Jewett City. Here he has engaged in general farming and extensive dairying, keeping twenty-two first-class milch cows, and finding much pleasure as well as profit in his business operations. He follows modern methods, uses in his dairy modern, sanitary machinery and turns out products which meet with a ready sale. His ideas are practical and progressive, and he is generally considered one of the leading agriculturists of the locality.

In March, 1896, Mr. Babcock married Idelle Richardson, born in North Stonington, Conn., daughter of William Richardson, a lady of refine- ment and education, who for seven years had taught school in Griswold township. The two children of this marriage are: Charles Irving and Royal Rich- ardson. Both Mr. and Mrs. Babcock are valued members of the Methodist Church. In politics he is a Democrat.

WILBUR L. L. SPENCER, a well known and successful citizen of Lebanon, descends from an old family, and one that has always been one of the most prominent and numerous in Middlesex county, Conn. He descends from Thomas Spencer, who, with his wife, came to Hartford in the company of Rev. Thomas Hooker, in 1636. He was a represen- tative to the General Court, and had a grant of land given him for his public services. He was the an- cestor of the old Spencer family of Connecticut.

While much of the early history of the family is lost in the dim records of the past, yet the branch of the family which resided in Millington, Middlesex county, have furnished men of national fame and exalted character. Hon. Joseph Spencer was one of the leading and prominent men of his State prior to, and during, the Revolutionary War. In the Colonial army, in 1756, he was a major, later a col- onel, and must have served with distinction, for at the commencement of the war with Great Britain, the State of Connecticut immediately turned to him as a leader, and the Assembly of March, 1775, ap- pointed him and Israel Putnam, brigadier generals. Later Congress made him one of eight brigadier generals, his rank being tenth in the army. He served with distinction and honor, and at one time was in command of the Colonial forces in Rhode Island. He was an intimate friend of Gov. Jonathan Trumbull, and made many visits to Lebanon. He died in East Haddam, Jan. 13, 1787. A grand- daughter, Elizabeth, became the wife of Hon. Lewis Cass, candidate for President in 1848.

Ambrose Spencer, grandfather of Wilbur L. L., was a resident of Moodus, town of East Haddam, where he followed the occupation of farmer. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. His death

was the result of cancer. His children were ilm- brose and Allen, twins; Richard; William L. And Phebe, who became the wife of William H. rous, and died in Portland, Connecticut.

William L. Spencer, son of Ambrose, was bwin East Haddam, Middlesex county, and resided fer- until the age of sixty years. For many yea the operated a store in Millington Society, in ad fon to farming, but later removed to Salem, New on- don county, and was there also engaged in a iter- cantile business for years. He then remove fhis merchandise to East Lyme, where he condifed his business until within five years of his 4th, which occurred in September, 1901, when h las aged eighty-five years. He was buried at Ijan Hill cemetery at Middletown. He was a Refli- can in politics, and served one term as postr fter at Salem. His religious connection was wit the Congregational Church. William L. Spence: ras thrice married, (first) to Miss Kingsley, (se{d) to Mrs. Mary (Hughes) Date, and (third) to frs. Carlyle Whittemore. The children of the firs (ife were: Ulysses, a carpenter located at Em via, Kans .; William K., a successful grocer at M le- town, Conn .; and Everett K., who was for me time engaged in a mercantile business, and fo ev- eral years a farmer at Salem, but who di fin March, 1903. To the second marriage but one (ldl, Wilbur L. L., was born. Mrs. Mary (Hu ,'s) Spencer was a native of Lyme, Conn., and shelied at Baltic, Conn., in 1871, aged fifty-two years By her marriage to Mr. Date, she became the n her of three children, viz .: David, of Franklin, CIn .: Hiram, who died in Missouri; and Fred, who s a miner at Helena, Mont. To the third marria of Mr. Spencer no children were born.

Wilbur L. L. Spencer was born April 29, 61. in Millington Society, in East Haddam, an re- mained at home until after the death of his mer, when he was ten years old. He then went to ew London, and was there engaged in clerking : this brother William's grocery store, but receive no wages except his board and a few clothes. " fen his father married again he returned home ;nd spent two years in a school room, the only chce he ever had. At the age of twelve years he ca to Lebanon and was employed as a farm hand b Dr. Charles Sweet, at $8 per month. Soon after, clac- count of sickness, he was obliged to return | |ne, but, a few months later, came again to Lebanon nd was engaged on the farm of Benajah Barker at 00 a year. The lad was evidently in need of ca ful nursing and medical attention, for he soon f ill again, although he fought manfully against it. fr. Barker received him kindly when he returned- nd with this employer Mr. Spencer continued [ith more or less loss of time from sick spells, fo. wo years, gradually gaining strength, until he was ble to accomplish as much as any other hand. on one occasion Mr. Barker was settling with a fed man who had worked side by side with our st ect

W.R. R. Spencer

597

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ived $200 for the season, and in the presence Spencer, and the other party remarked : r, if I had my way about this, I would rather money to you."

r leaving the employ of Mr. Barker he re- co New London, and was again employed by -brother as a clerk. He remained there a iring which time he married. A few months returned to Lebanon, and engaged in farm- ut a year on his father-in-law's farm, later ig farm work at the village green, and still irted into the business of peddling notions in nity, carrying his goods in two satchels. This s he found remunerative, and it soon de-

manc the use of a horse and wagon. In 1887 he rente a small store room, which in a short time prove too cramped for the business, and in 1892 he rente the large rooms in Grange Hall, where he carrie as large a variety of goods as would be n any country store in the State. The ex- neatness and cleanliness which prevailed very attractive. In connection Mr. Spencer 1 in an extensive grain and feed business, 1 a large trade in agricultural implements, customers from a long distance. He is a merchant, and knows how to handle goods est advantage, while his honesty has been so that with him, "once a customer, always a er." He has had his own way to make from od, and has grown into importance and the on of ample means entirely through his own

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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 134

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