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 144

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 144

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Samuel Hoxie, born June 13, 1747, married, June 8, 1783, likely in South Kingston, R. I., where the marriage is recorded, Almy or Amie Reynolds, born in 1741 or 1747, daughter of James Reynolds, of West Greenwich, R. I., and their son,

Thomas Hoxie, the great-grandfather of our subject was a farmer and resided at South Kingston, R. I. As he became possessed of a large amount of land, he was able to give each of his sons a farm and to provide properly for his daughters. His death took place in South Kingston, at the age of eighty years. He married Esther Albro, whom he survived. They became the parents of the follow- ing children : Samuel ; Amy, who died unmarried ; John, who married Penelope Wilcox, a farmer who resided in Exeter, R. I .: Ann, who married Peleg Brown, and died in Hoosick, N. Y. ; Sarah, who mar- ried William Bliven, and died in South Kingston ; Stephen, who married a Miss Holley, removed to Cattaraugus, N. Y., and died there: Esther, who married Hoxie Brown, and died in Colchester, Conn .; Joseph, who married Abby Watson, and was a farmer in South Kingston, where he died.

Samuel Hoxie, grandfather of our subject, was born Jan. 30, 1802, in South Kingston, R. I. Un- til his marriage he remained assisting his father on the home farm, and then settled on one of the ad- jacent farms which he came into possession of at his father's death. He was an extensive farmer. and remained on the place just mentioned until he, sold it. In 1860 he removed to Lebanon and pur- chased the farm now occupied by his son, Albert T. This farin, then a tract of 228 acres, was known as the Oliver Pettis place, and to the original property he added, at his death owning 300 acres of land. Mr. Hoxie paid considerable attention to dairying, and he also raised cattle and bought and sold stock. All of the substantial buildings, except the resi- dence, were erected by him, this having been built a few years previously. His death occurred July 10, 186, after an illness of but a few days, and he

was buried at Yantic. Mr. Hoxie was considered one of the representative men of the town, held a number of the local offices, and actively supported the Democratic party. His life of industry was rewarded by a competency in old age. He attended the Baptist Church and contributed to its support. Samuel Hoxie married Phebe A. Lillibridge, born Jan. 29, 1808, at Richmond, daughter of Amos Lilli- bridge, a farmer there, and died in July, 1893, at the home of her daughter Mrs. James F. Mason, of Franklin. Their children were: Fannie G., born April 18, 1833, married James F. Mason ; Albert T .; and Mary Anna, who died at the age of eight years.

Albert T. Hoxie, father of our subject, was born Oct. 16, 1836, in South Kingston, R. I .. and his education was secured through attendance at the district school, during the winter seasons until the age of twenty years, he being one of about fifty pupils. He accompanied his parents to Lebanon, and remained at home assisting his father until the age of thirty-one years, the time of his marriage. During all this time he was merely one of the fam- ily, neither asking nor receiving any stated wage. One year later his father died, and Albert T. then bought the home farm from the other heirs. Since then, at various times, Mr. Hoxie has added tracts to his original purchase, and now owns about 600 acres of land, located in the towns of Franklin. Leb- anon and Bozrah. He is a substantial and repre- sentative citizen, and one of the practical and suc- cessful farmers of this section. In politics Mr. Hoxie has always supported the candidates and principles of the Democratic party, but beyond that takes no active part. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church, which religious organization re- ceives from him a generous support.

On Nov. 13. 1867, Albert T. Hoxie was mar- ried in Lebanon, to Mary E. Tucker, born May 8. 1841, in Lebanon, daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Dingley) Tucker, the former of whom was a pros- perous farmer. To this union were born the fol- lowing children: (1) Edward Albert, the inme- diate subject of this sketch, was born Oct. 23. 1808. (2) Frederick N., born Dec. 5. 1870, is a farmer in Franklin ; he married, Nov. 10, 1803. Fanny F. Mason, and they had children .- Frederick (born July 3. 1896, died in April, 1900), Herbert Mason (born Aug. 19, 1897) and Mabel Gladys (born Nov. 5. 1899). (3) Minnie Belle, born June 27. 1872, was married, June 7, 1804 to George Wilcox. a farmer who died in Lebanon leaving children, Florence May thorn Jan. 12, 1896) and George Loomis (born April 6, 1899). (4)Clarence Lilli- bridge, born Nov. 6, ISSO, is a farmer in Lebanon ; he was married. Dec. 5. 1899. to Louse Rathbun.

Edward Albert Hoxie was born on the farm now occupied by his esteemed father. His education was secured in the local schools, and he remained on the home farm until his marriage. He then lived for three and a half years in Franklin, engaged in teaming, in the employ of his father-in-law, Mr.

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Clifton Peck. Mr. Hoxie then rented his father's farm for a period of three years, but in April, 1895, removed to his present fine farm which he had purchased a month previously, a tract of 185 acres locally known as the George Loomis place. It was necessary for him to incur a rather heavy indebted- ness in order to secure this fine property, but all this has long since been disposed of, and he owns what is one of the largest, and undoubtedly one of the best, farms in the town of Lebanon. He has adopted modern and progressive methods, and makes use of improved machinery of all kinds, keeps about twenty head of fine high grade Jersey cows and fifteen head of young stock, and about thirty-five hogs, while he annually mows sixty-five tons of hay, grows twelve acres of corn and six acres of oats. Mr. Hoxie believes in the gospel of work, and by example and precept shows what industry can ac- complish.

On Feb. 26, 1890, in Franklin, Conn., Mr. Hoxie was united in marriage with Lena M. Peck, daugh- ter of Clifton and Huldah M. (Preston) Peck. Four bright and interesting children have been born to this marriage, namely: Albert Clifton, born Jan. 24, 1892; Myron Joseph, born Dec. 5, 1893; Vera Huldah, born Sept. 20, 1895 ; and Earle Edward, born March 20, 1901. The family attends the Bap- tist Church. For some years both Mr. Hoxie and wife belonged to the local Grange. In politics he chooses to vote independently. Few citizens are held in more general esteem than is Edward Albert Hoxie.

HERBERT F. AND ARTHUR J. DAWLEY, the well known lumber dealers of Norwich, are striking examples of self-made men. Born and reared in an obscure and decadent country town, and with but few educational advantages, they have, by industry, economy, keen foresight and upright business principles, fought their way to the front, and rank to-day among the successful men of eastern Connecticut. It is doubtful if there is in Norwich a business concern of equal pecuniary strength whose rise has been as rapid and healthy, and certainly not one whose high standing com- mercially can be so directly attributed to its present owners.

The Dawley family is an old and numerous one in the State of Rhode Island, where Joseph Dawley, the grandfather of Herbert F. and Arthur J. Daw- ley, was born. He was a farmer by occupation. Moving to Willington, Tolland Co., Conn., he there spent the remainder of his life, dying at an ad- vanced age. His wife also lived to a ripe old age. She bore him nine children, eight sons and one daughter.

Joseph Frank Dawley, son of Joseph, was born in eastern Rhode Island in February, 1828, and was the seventh son of his parents. In his early active life he was engaged in the mercantile trade, his store being located at Willington, Conn., where he did a good business, several teams being em-

ployed in delivering daily. During the Civil war he disposed of his business and devoted his atten- tion to farming on his, estate of 125 acres at West- ford, Conn., where he has since made his home. In politics he is a Democrat, but he has never aspired to public office. On March 24, 1850, Jo- seph Frank Dawley married Elvira Robbins, who was born in Thompsonville, Conn., Nov. 24, 1829, and died March 21, 1855, leaving two sons, Herbert F. and Arthur J. The second wife of Mr. Dawley, whom he married in October, 1855, was Sophronia Robbins, a sister of his first wife, and she was born Nov. 21, 1835. Her children numbered five, three of whom lived to maturity, namely: Clara E. mar- ried Elmer Walker, of Webster, Mass., and died in that place, leaving one son, Frank. William H. resides at Norwich, and is in the employ of H. F. and A. J. Dawley. Edward R. was a commercial traveler for a Chicago firm, and resided at Evans- ton, Ill., where he died ; he was married, but left no children except an adopted son.

Herbert F. Dawley was born Dec. 14, 1851, in Dalesville, in the town of Willington, Conn., and received such schooling as the district schools af- forded. His early life was a continuous round of hard work, and he remained at home and assisted his father until he became of age. He was then employed in a wood-turning and saw mill at West- ford, and later had full charge of the mill, also con- ducting a farm in the vicinity, which he had pur- chased. About 1878 he became a partner of E. A. Buck, at Westford, the company being known as Buck & Dawley, who carried on a general grocery and store business. They also managed a gristmill and sawmill which were run by water-power, and also a portable steam sawmill, the two latter being used for manufacturing into lumber the timber cut from a number of lots of woodland that they bought from time to time. The firm employed many work- men and a number of teams, and did a large and paying business. Mr. Dawley disposed of his in- terest in the grocery business about 1880, and de- voted his entire attention to the milling enterprise. In 1883 his lease for the water-power mills expired, and he then moved to Liberty Hill, in the town of Lebanon, where he had previously purchased a wood lot and a sawmill, and there continued for two years. At the expiration of that time he moved to Lebanon Station, and cleared a wood lot, after a year or so purchasing the interest of Mr. Buck and moving his plant to Montville, where he remained a year. From there he went to Gales Ferry and conducted a very flourishing business at that place for two years, when he took up his residence at Poquetanuck, and spent a year there. His next change was to Fort Point, where a permanent mill was established. In April, 1889, Mr. Dawley formed a partnership in the lumber business with his younger brother, Arthur J. Dawley, and with the exception of a few months during 1891 and 1892 they have been together ever since.

On May 30, 1876, Herbert F. Dawley was hap-

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pily married to Martha, daughter of Peter and Emily (Bieknell) Platt, of Ashford; Peter Platt is a highly respected resident of that town. Children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dawley as follows : Everett B., Aug. 29, 1878 (he married Jennie Al- len, and is in the employ of the firm of H. F. & A. J. Dawley) ; Winfred R., Aug. 14, 1880; Herbert M., Feb. 25, 1889; Clifton L., Sept. 6, 1891 ; Mary L., May 17, 1794 ; and Lena B., Oet. 17, 1896.

Mr. Dawley was a Demoerat until 1896, sinee when he has affiliated with the Republican party. He united with the Montville Congregational Church, but later transferred his membership to the Broadway Congregational Church at Norwich. He attends the Union Church on Brewster Neek, and for the past ten years he has served as the superin- tendent of the Sunday-sehool. Mrs. Dawley first became a member of the Warrenville Baptist Church and now belongs to the Broadway Congregational Church. The members of this family rank very high in the esteem of their acquaintances. Mr. Dawley resides on Laurel Hill road, on a beautiful spot crowning a hill, from which there is a delight- ful view of the Thames river and the surrounding country. The house was ereeted by him, and a large amount of money has been expended in tastefully beautifying the grounds.

Arthur James Dawley, the junior member of the firm, was born Mareh 9, 1855, in the town of Willington, Conn., and was reared to farm life. At the age of fourteen years he began to work out during the summers, attending school in the win- ters. When he was seventeen years of age his fa- ther hired him out until he was twenty, after which he was given his time, and he began his business career with a capital of fifty-nine eents. Going to Boston, he entered the office of E. A. Buek & Co., which afterward beeame Dean, Foster & Co. This firm manufactured glass bottles for druggists, with the name of the customer blown in the glass. "Mr. Dawley began work with them the very day of his arrival in the city, which was on Sept. 4, 1876, and his wages were eleven dollars a week. At first he was shipping elerk, but within a year, so capable did he prove, he was a salesman and city collector. Some time after this he was sent on the road as salesman for the New England States at a salary of one hundred dollars per month and expenses. In the spring of 1879 he was sent out to the North- western States, his territory including Indiana, Ohio. Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Kansas ind Nebraska. He traveled in the interests of this irm until 1883, doing a large business in various parts of the country, and each year visiting thirty States. In 1882 he was offered a salary of thirty- ive hundred dollars and all of his expenses, and one year later he became a member of the firm of Dean, Foster & Dawley. They occupied an entire ive-story building at No. 120 Lake street. Chicago, of which Mr. Dawley was in charge, the other part- ers being in Boston. This firm was the second

largest in the United States in its line, the annual business aggregating half a million dollars.

On April 1, 1889, Mr. Dawley severed his eon- neetion on aeeount of poor health, and, coming to Norwich, engaged in the lumber business with his brother. Fifteen months later he went to New York, and beeoming.a partner in the firm of Web- ster, Dawley & Co., at No. 52 Park place, whole- sale dealers in druggists' supplies, glassware, ete., he once more went upon the road, traveling through the New England States, and at times going as far west as the Rocky Mountains. He built up a large trade, but in February, 1892, he sold his interest in the business to his partners and returned to Nor- wieh, where he has sinee been engaged in his pres- ent business in eonjunetion with his brother.

Arthur J. Dawley is an independent voter. Fra- ternally he is a member of Uneas Lodge, No. 11, I. O. O. F. In addition to his other interests he is a director of the Chelsea Savings Bank and the Uncas National Bank, and until it went out of ex- istenee, in 1903, he was a director of the Second National Bank.

On Sept. 12, 1877, Mr. Dawley was united in marriage with Eugenia M., daughter of Obed P. and Charlotte A. (Ladd) MeLean, of Glastonbury. Conn. Mrs. Dawley was educated in the sehools of her native town, and subsequently taught sehool for two years prior to her marriage. She is a mem- ber of the First Congregational Chureh on Broad- way.

The business of H. F. & A. J. Dawley is one of the most thriving enterprises ever started in the eity. Their planing-mill and plant, which covers fifteen acres, and is fitted with all modern machinery, is at Fort Point, three miles below Norwich, and the office and eity yard are off Laurel Hill avenne. They employ forty men. Their timber and lumber come from the West and South, as well as from Maine and other northern sections. They have a large wholesale trade for Georgia pine timber and North Carolina pine and cypress, which they ship by rail throughout the New England states and Canada. The aggregate of their aunnal business amounts to over $300,000.

MISS BERTHA M. LAMPHERE, who owns and conducts the "Lamphere House," at Mystic, is a descendant of a family that has been represented it. Rhode Island for many generations.

Capt. Nathan Lamphere, her grandfather, was a son of David Lamphere, and was a sea captain, with his home in Hopkinton. R. 1 .. southeast of the cemetery there. He married Nancy Crandall.

David Lamphere, father of Miss Bertha, was born in Hopkinton, and followed the trade of ship carpenter, being known as a very skillful work- man. He resided the greater part of his life at Old Mystic, Conn., and there died Oct. 27. 1800. His wife, whom he married in Old Mystic, was Mary Ann Houche (or Hoch), a native of Gales Ferry,

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Conn., and a daughter of Dr. John Baptiste Houche, a physician, who was a near relative of the la- mented George Lazarre Houche, who was a brilliant and promising young general under Napoleon, and who lost his life in early manhood. Mrs. Lamphere died May 17, 1902, at Mystic, and was buried be- side her husband in Whitman cemetery, in Groton. They were the parents of fourteen children, six sons and eight daughters.

Miss Lamphere was born at Old Mystic, and re- mained at home until she accepted a clerical posi- tion with the New London & Groton Ferry Com- pany, at New London, where she was employed for some time. Since June, 1897, her home has been at Mystic. In April, 1901, she first embarked in her present business in West Main street, Mystic, re- maining there until in August, 1903. The May previous she purchased her present property, which was formerly the residence of Charles H. Mallory, of the Mallory line of steamers and opened it for business on Sept. 1, 1903. It is one of the most pleasant and valuable properties in the place, and is fitted with modern improvements. Within such a short space of time Miss Lamphere has built up a growing and prosperous business. She may well be rated among the substantial business women of the county, having made her success alone, as the result of hard labor, economy and good business judgment.

DEACON SAMUEL PRENTICE, late of Taft- ville, town of Norwich, was a representative of the Prentice family, of Stonington, Conn., which was among the early prominent families of the Massachusetts and Connecticut colonies, and from which have gone out into the country many men of prominence.

Samuel Prentice was born Aug. 4, 1819, in the town of North Stonington, a son of Samuel H. Prentice, and he was a descendant in the eighth gen- eration from Capt. Thomas Prentice, the immigrant settler and progenitor of this branch of the Prentice family. From Capt. Thomas Prentice the lineage is through Thomas (2), Samuel, Deacon Samuel, John, Asa and Samuel H.

(I) Capt. Thomas Prentice was born in 1621, in England, and there, in 1643, married his wife, Grace. Mr. Prentice is first of record in America as a member of the First Church at Cambridge, Mass., which was organized Feb. 1, 1636. He was made a freeman in Cambridge in 1652, removed to New- town, and there lived and died. He was made a lieutenant of the troop of horse in 1656, and its captain in 1662. He held such rank in the Indian war, 1675, and was engaged in the Narragansett fight, aiding in its success. He was often employed by the General Court in special services of trust, both civil and military, for many years. In 1667 he was sent to lay out what is now Worcester, Mass. In 1689 he was ordered to Rhode Island to arrest and bring back Sir Edmond Andros. He died July

6, 1710. His children were: Grace, Thomas, Eliza- beth, Mary, Henry, John, John (2), and Hannah.

(II) Thomas Prentice (2), born Jan. 22, 1649, married, March 20, 1675, Sarah, born about 1655, daughter of Capt. Thomas Stanton, the famous Indian interpreter. Mr. Prentice died April 19, 1685. His widow married (second) Capt. William Denison, and died in 1713. Mr. Prentice's chil- dren were: Thomas, Grace, Samuel and John.

(III) Samuel Prentice, born about 1680, mar- ried Esther, daughter of Nathaniel Hammond, of Newtown, Mass. Mr. Prentice owned a large tract of land in what is now North Stonington, Conn., and removed there from Newtown about 1709. Most of the land had been handed down by inherit- ance from one generation to another, and is still in the family name. Mr. Prentice died April 24, 1728. His children were: Samuel, Joseph, Grace, Mary, Jonas, Esther, Oliver, Eunice, Thomas and Doro- thy.

(IV) Deacon Samuel Prentice, born Nov. 25, 1702, in Newtown, Mass., married Abigail Bill- ings, and died Oct. II, 1773. He was clerk of the town for more than thirty years. His widow died Oct. 30, 1789. Their children were: Dorothy, Samuel, Ebenezer, John, Abigail, Joshua, Phebe, Asa, Jonas, Jesse, Esther, Amos and Grace.

(V) John Prentice, born May 13, 1733, mar- ried (first) Dec. 1, 1757, Mary Haskell; she died July 8, 1784. His second wife, Rebecca, died about 183I. Mr. Prentice died June 21, 1810. His children were: Samuel, John, Asa, Asher (born to the first marriage), Oliver, Joshua and Phœbe (born to the second marriage).

(VI) Asa Prentice, born Sept. 5, 1763, married in 1791 Lucy Park, and their children were: Asa, Samuel H. and Lucy. The father owned a number of farms upon one of which the family lived.

(VII) Samuel H. Prentice, born May 31, 1794, married, Nov. 27, 1814, Susan Baldwin, of North Stonington. Mr. Prentice died March 25, 1873. Their children were: David N., born June 25, 1817 ; Samuel, Aug. 4, 1819; Paul P., Sept. 2, 1821 ; Alexander S., March 9, 1824; Dewitt C., July 30, 1830; and Susan R., Sept. 2, 1834.

(VIII) Samuel Prentice, born Aug. 4, 1819, in North Stonington, New London county, was edu- cated in the district schools which he attended dur- ing the winter season, working on the home farm during the rest of the year. He remained at home until nineteen years of age, when he started out in life for himself. He had fitted himself for teach- ing and when about sixteen he taught school in Ledyard for one term. When nineteen years old he commenced to sell goods on the road, carrying them in boxes strapped over his back and shoulders. He continued thus for a year and a half, when he managed to buy a horse and wagon for his peddling, going over different sections of New London county for eight years. In 1846 he came to Norwich, lo- cating at Greeneville, and embarked in the gro-

Sammel Frontier

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cery business, which he conducted for some time, later taking into partnership with him his brother- in-law, C. D. Browning, under the firm name of Prentice & Co. This partnership continued until 1861, when Mr. Prentice sold his interest to his partner, Mr. Browning. In 1855, while still with Mr. Browning, he removed his family to Taft- ville, and bought from the Norwich Water Power Company 140 acres of land, whereon he made his home. After giving up the grocery business in Greeneville, he opened up a dry-goods business in Main street, Norwich, where he continued for six- teen years, at the end of that time selling out and trading again, selling goods and merchandise to stores and to halls, making his calls every two weeks. He continued in that business in New Lon- clon county for five years, after which he took up the book business, selling Bibles and the "Life of Abraham Lincoln," until 1887. He then went back to the farm, built a store, and became engaged in the grocery business, which he continued success- fully. for fourteen years, when, on account of age and the care of his farm, he sold out in 1902 to W. E. Baldwin. Mr. Prentice then looked after the farm where he and his family were located for nearly half a century. In order to foster and encourage manufacturing, and build up Taftville, he gave land for the erection of a factory for the manufacture of velvets, and also sold building lots cheaply so the workingmen could own their own homes.

"Mr. Prentice was early interested in and voted against slavery when it was very unpopular to dlo so, and the American Missionary Association has always been the idol of his heart, among all the missionary movements. On the temperance ques- tion Mr. Prentice held the soundest and most ad- vanced views and always voted the Prohibition ticket. At the age of ten years he united with the Congregational Church, North Stonington, at the March communion, and when on the first Sunday in March, 1904, his pastor admin- istered the sacrament 'in his sick room it marked a period of seventy-five years of 'walk- ing with God.' It would be impossible for one to examine the history of the religions life of Taftville and not find woven into its very warp and woof of the spirit of consecration, devotion and sacrifice of Deacon Prentice. . It was largely through his efforts that the Congregational Church was formed, Dec. 3. 1867, a Sunday-school having previously been organized. He was its first deacon und hield that office at the time of his death. He also served as clerk and treasurer for many years. 't was always a source of grief to him that the church had no house dedicated to the worship of jod, and many and continuous have been his ef- orts since the organization to have a church built, ut insurmountable obstacles have been met from ime to time, though small sums of money have cen raised and carefully invested for this purpose.

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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 144

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