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 136

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 136

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(VI) Marvin Leffingwell was born July 20, 1798, in Bozrah, Conn., in one of the five houses built by

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Thomas Leffingwell, the first settler. He married first Abby Ann Chapman, daughter of Jonathan and Phebe (Leffingwell) Chapman, who died March 17, 1838. He then married Sarah Whaley, daughter of Levi Whaley, of Montville. She died and was survived several years by her husband, who passed away March 31, 1856, in Montville. He was en- gaged in farming during his life, in which he was very successful. Nearly all of his life was spent in Montville. Marvin Leffingwell possessed a very genial nature, and was charitable in his actions. Few men were more fond of children than he, and he was a kind and indulgent father. He was a man of medium height, about five feet five inches tall, and weighed about 180 pounds. In politics he was a very stanch Democrat, and he served his town as a member of the board of selectmen, as well as in other town offices. He was not a member of any church, but was a liberal supporter of the First Baptist Church of Bozrah. Mr. Leffingwell en- joyed excellent health until within about ten years of his demise. The children born to Marvin Lef- fingwell and his first wife were: (I) Erastus Mason, born July 31, 1835, in Montville, died in Bozrah. He was a physician by profession, and was in active practice for about forty years, being an expert on typhoid fever, pneumonia and the de- livering of tape worms, having a widespread repu- tation as a specialist in those lines. On Sept. 7, 1894, his death occurred. He married (first) Abby Beebe, daughter of Stephen Beebe, of Norwich, who bore him one daughter, Minnie Leffingwell, who was scalded to death at the age of seven years. His second wife was Harriet G. Maples, daughter of George Maples, formerly of Preston, Conn., and later of Montville. She died in 1897, leaving no children. (2) Eliza Jane, born in August, 1831, married Lewis Rogers, a farmer of Norwich Town. (3) Daniel Chapman was the third child. By his sec- ond marriage, Marvin Leffingwell had children as follows: (4) Chauncey, a painter by trade, who is also engaged in farming in East Haddam, Conn., married Esther Martin, and their children are: Eu- gene, Hattie and Gertrude. (5) Maria married James L. Beebe, of Norwich, where he engaged in teaming and farming for a number of years, and there died, leaving three children, Edward and Ella, both deceased, and Frederick, now living in Springfield, Massachusetts.

(VII) Daniel Chapman Leffingwell was born June 20, 1836, in Montville, on the same site where now stands his present home, in one of the five houses already referred to, originally built by Thomas Lef- fingwell, the first settler, and given to his fourth son, Nathaniel. This house has descended from generation to generation, and is now the property of our subject. Mr. Leffingwell received his educa- tion in the Bozrah schools, 7th district, and left same at the age of fourteen years. He remained at home until he was seventeen, and then he en- gaged in steamboating between Norwich and New

York for about three months, and also on : Fall river, and Providence lines, as fireman. Ting of this work he returned home, and took up Aming on the old homestead, where he has since rained. His farm consists of about 150 acres of lan (which is a portion of the land given to his Acestor Thomas Leffingwell by Chief Uncas, of th Mohe- gan Indians, and upon which is located Mur his homas present home, the spring of water where Leffingwell first met Chief Uncas. For sont years Mr. Leffingwell has sold the water from th spring to customers in Norwich.

Mr. Leffingwell is a Republican in

politics, but has never been an office holder. Mr. a Mrs. Leffingwell are both members of the Firs Baptist Church of Bozrah. Mrs. Leffingwell is .Iso a member of the Ladies Missionary Societyff that church.

On March 18, 1858, Mr. Leffingwell vf mar- ried to Miss Anna Edith Curtis, daughter Elijah W. and Mary ( Bushnell) Curtis, of Norwi Mr. Curtis was a blacksmith and farmer Nor- wich, but died in Montville, while his wifefied in Plainfield, Conn. The children born to . and Mrs. Leffingwell are: Forrest Curtis, born ly 16, 1860, in Montville, was in Montana for ste five years, but is now engaged in farming wit tis fa- ther ; he married Addie E. Lay, daughter Car- los Lay of Norwich, and they have five ldren, Clarence F., Edith Anna, Irene Curtis, F derick Arthur, and Gladys Marion. Frederick [rthur, born May 20, 1865, was engaged in farmin on the homestead, and there died Jan. 27, 1890, nmar- ried.

JAMES H. HYDE, one of the leading tizens of the town of Franklin, traces his ancestry ack to the seventeenth century, there being record Will- iam Hyde, one of the original proprietors Nor- wich, in 1660, and he first appears in New gland history as far back as 1636 at Hartford, Col. In 1639 he had land assigned to him, and his r he ap- pears on the monument there dedicated to the founders of that city. Later he was at SIbrook and Norwich, and was frequently elected select- man of the latter place, becoming a man of fonsid- erable importance. On Jan. 6, 1681, he fed in Norwich. Nothing appears relative to 1. wife, but his children were Samuel and Hester.

(II) Samuel Hyde, born in Hartfor about 1637, married in June, 1659, Jane Lee, of E : Say- brook (now Lyme), daughter of Thor ; and Phoebe (Brown) Lee. Thomas Lee can from England in 1641, but died on the passage Sam- uel Hyde was one of the original proprietors! Nor- wich in 1660, in which town he and his wifeettled. He was a farmer and had lands assigned toim in Norwich West Farms, where he died in 16.

His children were: Elizabeth, Phœbe, Samue John, William, Thomas, Sarah and Jabez, all 1. n be- tween 1660 and 1677. The daughter E abeth

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

as be 1 in August, 1660, and is said to have been he fir white child born in the town. (I) Jabez Hyde, born in May, 1677, married, 1709, Elizabeth Bushnell, born Jan. 31, Dec. 686, ughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Adgate) , of Norwich. Jabez Hyde settled in Nor-

ushn ich rge as ju enera d cler or ma st Farms (now Franklin), where he had a ct of land, and became a wealthy farmer, ce of the peace, and a representative in the Court for eight sessions. He was appoint- of the Franklin Church, and served as such years. His death occurred Sept. 5, 1762, nd hi widow passed away Aug. 21, 1768. Their hildre were: Jabez, Phineas, Joseph, Elizabeth nd Afgail, all born between 1713 and 1724.

(I) Jabez Hyde (2) was born Sept. 16, 1713, Nor ich West Farms. On Dec. 8, 1736, he was harrie to Lydia Abel, born July 28, 1719, in Nor- ich, quighter of his second cousin Benjamin Abel nd w., Lydia Hazen, of Norwich. Jabez Hyde Iso seled at West Farms, where he was an exten- ive la holder. He was a man of prominence and ecame

magistrate of Norwich. His death occurred Fraftlin March 6, 1805. His wife died June 5, 18 Their children, all born between 1738 nd I7 :, were: Ezekiel, Jabez, Lydia, Elizabetlı, Andre Phœbe, Solomon, Joseph, Benjamin, Dice

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Joseph Hyde, born about 1755, at Norwich arms, married, Sept. 6, 1780, Susannah n, born Jan. 19, 1762, daughter of Nehe- 1 Susannah (Isham) Waterman, of Nor- fter his marriage Mr. Hyde settled in E t of Norwich now known as Frank- vere he died March 29, 1809, while ow died Nov. 6, 1810. Their chil- re: Eunice, born Feb. 20, 1782, died

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une I 795 ; Joseph, born Jan. 20, 1783, died May 1, 17 ; Simeon, born March 12, 1785, married Edgerton; Susanna, born July 3, 1787, lildre harrie arrie 792, 94, 1 orn F John Tracy ; Hannah, born Aug. 11, 1789, Eleanor Tracy; Horatio, born Feb. 23, d May 17, 1795; John L., born Oct. 10, rried Jerusha G. Hartshorn; Joseph (2), 9, 1797, died March 29, 1809; Jane, born 1802, married Otis Tracy, of Oxford, N. Ioratio (2) was born Sept. 6, 1804.

Horatio Hyde, father of our subject, was t. 6, 1804, in Franklin, and learned the stone mason when a young man, but later p on account of his health. He then de- attention to farming, having purchased rty now owned by his son, James H., and resided the rest of his life, being engaged 1 farming, at which he prospered exceed- .e was a hardworking, thrifty man and a lager, and remained active until a short me pifr to his death, which occurred March 26, $89, 2 was

I he was buried at Franklin. In politics stanch Republican, but his political duties th the casting of his vote. His religious

affiliations were with the Franklin Congregational Church.

On Jan. 10, 1847, Horatio Hyde married Laura A. Gager, born May 19, 1822, in Franklin, daugh- ter of Levi and Sybil (Hyde) Gager ; she died April 8, 1895. The children born of this marriage were: Miss Eunice L., born Jan. 15, 1848, resides in Win- sted, Conn .; Phœbe S., born Nov. 10, 1849, was a school teacher for several years, and now resides at the homestead with our subject; Laura Sybil, born Feb. 20, 1852, was a school teacher, and died March 21, 1895 ; Otis B., born Feb. 25, 1854, mar- ried Catherine Kahn, was a school teacher and farmer, and resided in Norwich, where he died Feb. 9, 1902, leaving one son, Leslie G .; Arthur G., born Feb. 11, 1856, resides in Franklin; John T., born Feb. 7, 1858, is in Providence, R. I .; Jennie E., born Jan. 1, 1860, resides with our subject; and James Horatio.

James Horatio Hyde was born Sept. 26, 1864, in the house he now occupies. During his boyhood days he attended the district schools, acquiring a fair education; and his practical training at home was all along the line of farm work. His father's advancing years necessitated his active work on the home farm, and while he was still quite young the care of the entire place fell upon his shoulders. Faithfully and ably he managed the farm for several years, and after the death of the father, Mr. Hyde purchased the interests of the other heirs. Since coming into possession he has added to the acreage, and now owns sixty-five acres of as fine land as can be found in the town, and upon this property he has made improvements. He is successfully engaged in dairying, and the buying and selling of cattle of all classes, and is well known as a cattleman. As an auctioneer he has also won a good reputation.

Like his father Mr. Hyde is a stanch Republi- can, and in 1897 he represented the town in the State Legislature, and he has held a number of town offices, always discharging every duty laid upon his shoulders ably and honorably. He is now chair- man of the Republican Town Committee. Mr. Hyde has never married, and is an important factor in the social, as well as business, life of the. town. Energetic, public-spirited, a fast friend and good citizen, he is justly regarded as one of the represen- tative men of New London county, and one of whom his locality may be proud.

DANIEL W. GRANT, a prosperous farmer re- siding in the town of Franklin, comes of a long line of ancestry prominent alike in war and peace, and connected with the history of the New England States.

Daniel Grant, his grandfather, was a farmer, and resided in Yarmouth, Maine, where he died at the age of eighty-eight, leaving eight married children.

Capt. Daniel Grant, son of Daniel, was one of a large family, and was born in Freeport, Maine. When a young man he went on the water, becom-

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ing captain of a packet plying between Freeport and Portland, Maine, at an early stage in his career. Later he disposed of his boat and was engaged at ship carpentering, and still later became a farmer. His death occurred when he was seventy-one years of age, and he left a comfortable fortune. In politics he was a Democrat, and he held some of the town offices. For many years he was quite active in the Congregational Church, of which he was a consist- ent member.

Capt. Daniel Grant married Eliza A. Soule, daughter of Rufus Soule, and she survived him sev- eral years, dying at the age of seventy-eight years in Freeport. Their children were: Rufus B .; Susan, widow of Daniel Brewer, who resides in Portland ; Edwin B., residing in Freeport ; Eliza, who married Andrew Scott and died in Merrimac, Mass. ; Emily, who married William G. Brewer, and lives in Portland : Daniel W .: Amelia F., who died at the age of eleven years ; Walter, who died when twenty-two years old; Enoch, residing in Norwich ; and Herman, who died when twenty years old.

Daniel W. Grant was born Jan. 28, 1840, in Freeport, Maine, and lived there until he was eigh- teen, attending the common schools. As a young man he worked in the shipyards as a ship fastener, and in 1859 he went to California with a party from Freeport and vicinity, via the Isthmus, they being twenty-eight days on the trip. Mr. Grant remained in California a year, working on a ranch and in the mines, but he contracted fever and ague and re- turned to his home in Maine. Soon after his return he was employed in the shipyards at Bath for a few months, and then in May, 1861, went to Norwich, Conn., and accepted a position in the shipyards of Raymond & Huntington, Thomas Whitmore being the superintendent. Mr. Grant was given charge of the fastening department, at times having several hands under him, and he remained there for about three years, when he embarked in a grocery business with his brother-in-law, William H. Bottom, under the firm name of Grant & Bottom, with store at the corner of West Main and High streets, in Norwich. The firm continued there for about three and one- half years, and the venture then being unprofitable they disposed of the business, and for about a year Mr. Grant was engaged as a clerk. Then he was appointed patrolman under Lloyd Greene, mayor, and William E. Whaley, captain of police. For seventeen years he served upon the police force, re- ceiving promotion during that time to the office of sergeant and then to lieutenant, and finally was made captain or chief, holding that office for three years. Finally, through political manipulation, he was removed to make way for a politician. Through- out his long time of service Capt. Grant had an excellent record, clean and honorable. After retir- ing he once more engaged in the grocery business, beginning on Franklin square, and a year later estab- lished himself in the store he had occupied so many

years before. He was quite successful in this der- prise, but in February, 1894, he disposed of -t his brother on account of failing health. W desire to engage in outdoor work he purchas this present beautiful home, in October, 1893, George E. Starkweather, and in August of th lowing year located there. The farm consi ci 165 acres of fine land, which he devotes to g ral farming.

Capt. Grant was first married, in October, 53. in Norwich, to Mary E. Phillips, daughter of ter Phillips. She died at the age of forty-nine fr. leaving no children. In November, 1892, he lar- ried Susan M., daughter of George Fentoff of Norwich. They have no children. In politics (pt. Grant is a Democrat, and since locating in Fr. lin he has served one term on the board of selecten. Fraternally he is a member of Shetucket Lodg No. 27, I. O. O. F. Throughout the neighborhc | he is very highly esteemed, and he has a large cfin- gent of friends, not only in Franklin, but in for- wich, where his services to the city are remen fred with gratitude by those who recognized his cep- tional fitness for the office he held, and his fai ful- ness to duty upon all occasions.

WILLIAM BRAMWELL WALDEN , a prominent citizen, and one of the leading, prl'es- sive merchants of Montville, New London o lity. where he was born Jan. 19, 1837.

The Walden family is of English descent (II) William Walden, son of (I) William, of E tol, England, married, Aug. 5, 1754, Ruamis Silens, daughter of Eli Simons, of New London, enn. Their children were : Eleanor, John, Elizabeth, 'ill- iam, Robert, Simon, Mary, Amy, Edward ind David. The latter married and settled in Sem, Conn., and became the ancestor of the [em Waldens.

(III) William Walden, son of Willian find Ruamis (Simons) Walden, was born Sept. 13. 62, and married Elizabeth McFall, daughter of Wam and Deborah (Chapman) McFall. He served Fear under Capt. Larrabee in the Revolutionary var, after which he settled in Chesterfield Society, nt- ville, where the following children were bo to him : Grace, who married John Taylor; W am, who married (first) Lucinda -, and (se|id) Amy (Comstock) Congdon: Eliza, who m fied John Winters ; Hannah, who became the second life of John Taylor ; and Hiram, who married Ricca Gay Bird.

(IV) Hiram Walden, father of William : Im- well, was born May 13, 1804, in Montville, andrar- ried in January, 1827, Rebecca Gay Bird. Tl lat- ter was born Jan. 31, 1806, in Stoughton, M. .. a daughter of Abner and Polly (Gay) Bird, andlied in Waterford, Conn .. March 10, 1880, while sit- ing her daughter. She is buried beside her hu and in Montville. Hiram Walden attended the co: non schools of his native town, and throughout his tire

William BB, Walden

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

e wa a great student, by constant reading and udy a uiring a large fund of information, and be- g knon by his friends as a "bookworm." When reacid the end of a furrow in ploughing, while her ni idly rested, he plunged into a book. He as ver quick at learning, he read much with min- ters, a 1 became expert in the translation of Greek id La ergyn ructo® r a ti oved ere L urtee He studied for the ministry with several 1, as he had opportunity, his principal in- eing the Rev. Abisha Alden. After living : in Marshfield and in Somerset, Mass., he Waterford, and then to Montville, Conn., ng settled as a Methodist minister. For ears he traveled a circuit in Massachusetts id nohern Connecticut, after that preaching in ncasvje, at Gardner's Lake Church, in Joshua- wn, aces. .dlyme, Chesterfield, Salem, and other Jntil within a few years of his death he ntinu to supply vacant pulpits, and he was up d abc ry pe ords on the very day he died. He passed away efully July 19, 1871, in Montville, his last ng :

) woman ! in our hours of ease, Jncertain, coy, and hard to please, When pain and anguish wring the brow, A ministering angel thou!

In ly life he was a Democrat, but on its or- nizat 1, he joined the ranks of the Republican rty. rved lectm

Ie was a strong anti-slavery man, and · many years as justice of the peace and as . He was always interested in educational atters and was school visitor for many years. e was devo rvice ward was ring rough: very precise man, very conscientious, and minister of the Gospel, faithful in the the Master, continuing to preach until e close of his life. Quiet and unassuming, reatly beloved by all who knew him, and ne time the funeral procession passed Palmertown, the mills there were stopped t of i pect to his memory.

The ildren of Hiram and Rebecca Gay (Bird) alden ere : Elvira, born July 31, 1828, in Marsh- Idl, M 3., married Travis P. Douglass, of Water- n., where they continue to live. Mary etchei born June 29, 1830, in Somerset, Mass., harried ram, ice. a was pt. IO George L. Rogers, of Montville. Edwin rn Aug. 4, 1832, in Montville, married died in the State of Washington, where practicing physician. Ellen Rebecca, born 1834, in Waterford, Conn., married Elder mun hus vent in Ja ·ber, hily ] New life ic Lt yca Darrow, and died in her native place where nd was for many years a minister of the Jay Baptist Church. William Bramwell, 19, 1837, is mentioned below. Charles rn June 4, 1839, in Montville, married Morgan, of Waterford; their home was ndon, where for the last eighteen years of .. Walden had charge of the Alms House. ida, born Nov. 6, 1841, died at the age of Warren Nathan, born Nov. 12, 1844, in

Montville, married (first) Ella Scott, and (second) Laura Oliver, a widow ; he was a Baptist minister, and settled in Vineland, N. Y., where he died. Al- bert Henry, born March 14, 1847, in Montville, died when a year and a half old. John Wesley, born May 31, 1850, in Montville, married Adella Manwaring, of Niantic, Conn .; his home is in New London, where he is in the grain and feed business with Arnold, Rudd & Co. Nelson Bird, born March 13, 1853, in Montville, died when a year old.

William Bramwell Walden attended district school at Chapel Hill, and the Watrous school in Waterford (now known as Eastlake's Pond), also studying at home with his father. At the age of seventeen he taught school at Haughton, in town of Montville, after which he attended the East Greenwich Academy for a year, paying for his tui- tion with his earnings as a teacher. He then went to farming in the summer, and taught school in the winter, teaching in the various districts of Montville and adjoining towns for twenty winters. During these years he also conducted singing schools in the evenings. His friends then persuaded him to open a general store, which he did in May, 1876, starting with no capital, but making a success of it from the first. He carries a good stock of dry goods and groceries, employing three delivery teams, and through honesty and integrity has built up a fine business.

Mr. Walden married (first) March 15, 1865, Caroline Matilda Rogers ; she was born May 23, 1836, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Tuttle) Rogers, of Montville; she died March 6, 1879, in Uncasville, leaving four children as follows: (I) William Rogers, born Oct. 28, 1866, in Montville, died in his native town Dec. 6, 1881. (2) Harriet Elizabeth, born Oct. 10, 1870, in Montville, is liv- ing at home. She has been active in the establish- ment of Sunday-schools and is at present State Su- perintendent of Home work for Connecticut, speak- ing in the interests of this work in Sunday-schools throughout the State. (3) Clarence Elwood, born Sept. 17, 1875, in Montville, married, June 3, 1903, Jennie Pearl Browning, of that place. He is asso- ciated in business with his father. (4) Orville Cos- tello, born Jan. 2, 1879, in Montville, is also in bus- iness with his father. Mr. Walden married (sec- ond) June 14, 1890, Ardella Gadbois, daughter of Peter Gadbois, formerly of Montreal, who later died at North Stonington, Conn. No children have been born to this union.

Mr. Walden is strongly Republican in politics, and has served as justice of the peace for nearly thirty consecutive years. For three years he was registrar f vital statistics, and issued marriage li- censes, and he also served as constable for several years. He takes an active interest in educational matters, has been a member of the school committee many terms, and was one year president of the school board. Fraternally he is a member of Uncas Lodge, No. 17, A. O. U. W., of Montville, of which

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

he has been collector for three years. He is a mem- ber of the Uncasville Methodist Church, and was class leader for over twenty years. Although giving close attention to his business he finds much time to devote to religious work, and takes an active part in all the religious life of the community. He organ- ized Massapeag Union Sunday-school, and acted as its superintendent for ten years, and he has also frequently supplied the pulpits of various denomin- ations in his neighborhood. He is widely known as a charitable and benevolent man, and gives freely to the advancement of all religious work.

ARCHIBALD STEPHEN SPALDING, senior member of the firm of A. S. Spalding & Co., of Norwich, the well-known coal and wood dealers, is a man who has obtained high recognition in business and civil circles as a result of his own efforts en- tirely. He is one of the well known citizens, and comes of one of Plainfield's Colonial families, one of the first of that ancient settlement.

Born Jan. 25, 1867, in Plainfield, Conn., Mr. Spalding is a son of Chester Tilden and Mary E. (Robbins) Spalding, and a descendant in the ninth generation from the immigrant settler of the family, Edward Spalding, his lineage being through John, John (2), Samuel, Jedediah, Stephen, Stephen (2) and Chester Tilden Spalding.

(I) Edward Spalding, the immigrant settler of the Massachusetts Spaldings and the Connecticut branch under consideration, came to the Massachu- setts Colony probably between 1630 and 1633. He first appears in Braintree, Mass., where his wife Margaret and his daughter Grace died, and where one of his children, Benjamin, was born. He was made a freeman May 13, 1640. He was one of the founders and proprietors of Chelmsford, the peti- tion for the formation of which was granted in 1653. He was chosen a selectman at the first town meeting, held Nov. 24, 1654, and was chosen a selectman again in 1656, 1660 and 1661. He held other important offices and relations with the town and other new settlements. His wife Margaret died in August, 1640, and he remarried, his second wife being named Rachel. Mr. Spalding died Feb. 26, 1670. His children were: John, Edward and Grace, by the first marriage ; and Benjamin, Joseph, Dinah and Andrew, by the second marriage.

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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 136

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