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 181

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

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In Colchester, March 23, 1888. Mr. Dawles mar- ried Lucy A. Fox, daughter of John and Dorcas ( Reynolds) Fox. In politics he is all ardent Re- publican. In 1802 he was appointed town clerk to succeed George Bingham, and at each subsequent election has been his party's choice, and is also treasurer of the First school district. In foot he represented the town of Colchester in the Legisla ture and served ably on the committee on Clams

Fraternal Mr. Dawkes is a member of Water Lodge, No. to, A. F. A. V. M. and ot Willimantic Chapter. No, o. R. V. M. and has held irans off- cial positions in the Folge, melling that of master ; lie is now secretary, and has three times been a del- "gate to the Grand Lodge Many years ago he united with the Colchester V F Chinch, of which he has served as treasurer for a number of years

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and is now recording secretary. He is one of the leading men of the town, and deservedly popular with all classes.

CAPT. IRA F. LEWIS. There is probably no more popular citizen of Jewett City, nor one more keenly interested in the growth and development of public institutions, than Mr. Lewis, the efficient proprietor of the "Jewett City Hotel," and present warden of the borough. For fully thirty-eight years he has been in business here and for thirty-six years in his present employment. By his long and inti- mate association with the most intelligent men of his section, by extensive travel, and a natural taste for good literature, he has acquired a large fund of information, which he has the inherent ability to apply wisely, so as to benefit the general public. He is descended from one of the old and prominent Colonial families.

(I) John Lewis was one of the original pur- chasers and settlers at Misquamicut (Westerly), R. I., in 1661, lived there, and died in 1690. His children were Jonathan, who was of Westerly and Huntington, N. Y .; and John, Daniel, James, Da- vid, Israel, Samuel and Dorcas, all of Westerly.

(II) Samuel Lewis died in 1739, and his wife Joanna in 1734.

(III) Jonathan Lewis, of Exeter, R. I., died there in 1785. He was a man of wealth, held town offices, etc. His five sons were: John, Jonathan, Caleb, Thomas and Sylvester.

(IV) Jonathan Lewis was born in Exeter, where he lived and died, and where he was prominent in town affairs. He married (first) Sarah Barber, and (second) Mrs. Patience Turgee.

(V) Great-grandfather John Lewis, of Rich- mond, Exeter and Coventry, born in Richmond, Nov. 10, 1747, died in Coventry April 13, 1833. He was a prosperous farmer and miller, owning at one time 400 acres of land. He married (first) Amey, daughter of Gibbie Sweet Sheldon, and (sec- ond), March 17, 1808, Mary Tanner. His sons, all by his first marriage, were: Benjamin, born in Exeter Oct. 14, 1778, who married, in 1803, Hulda King, and he died in Coventry March 18, 1856; Jonathan, born in Coventry, who evidently made his home in some other town ; and John, born in 1786.

(VI) Grandfather John Lewis, son of John, was born in 1786 in Coventry, R. I., where he made his home for many years. During his young manhood he married a Miss Jordan, who survived him and contracted a second marriage. Among the first children was Caleb, who is mentioned below. By the second union there were several children.

(VII) Caleb Lewis, father of Ira F., born in Coventry, R. I., Aug. 22, 1809, was well known in Jewett City and vicinity, where he was engaged in business for some time and also in the development of the agricultural resources of that section. Though he became an orphan at an early age he received careful rearing in the home of his grandfather in

Coventry, being trained to those habits of indus- try and painstaking which had not a little to do with his future success in life. In 1837 he married Pa- tience Johnson, who was born in Coventry, R. I., Aug. 26, 1819, youngest child of George Johnson, of that town, who died in 1823, leaving a widow, three sons and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis had nine children : Mary J., who married Stephen A: Green, of Plainfield, and after his death, Edwin L. Ingraham, died in October, 1872. Henry W., who died Sept. 27, 1904, and Rhodes K. were twins. Ira F. is mentioned below. James E. and Emma M. were twins ; the first named resides in Worces- ter, Mass .; and the latter, who married Charles Olin ( who died in August, 1904), is living in Jewett City. Edgar L. died during an accident received in Boston, in August, 1892. Ida A. married Al- fred P. Barrett, of Norwich. Charles L. resides at Sterling, Connecticut.

During his early manhood Mr. Lewis settled on a farm in Plainfield, Conn., where he engaged very successfully in agriculture for five years. Sub- sequently he conducted a prosperous business in Sterling, remaining there for three years. In 1853 he moved to Jewett City, and afterward made his home there and in that vicinity. He first secured a position in the mill of J. & W. Slater of that city, where, proving himself a most competent and trust- worthy employe, he remained nine years. Deciding, however, at the end of this period, to engage in busi- ness by himself, he purchased a span of horses and began teaming. Possessed of plenty of push and energy, he made his new enterprise thoroughly pay- ing, and continued in it for some time. During the same period he also engaged in farming, at which he had more than once proved himself an adept, thus largely increasing his income. He remained in Jewett City until his death, which occurred in Griswold Sept. 12, 1886. As a man of force and sterling worth he was highly respected in his com- munity.

Hon. Ira F. Lewis is what one may truly call a self-made man. As a boy deprived of the best educational advantages, he has, nevertheless, by close observation and by mingling with men of the world, attained a really high degree of culture. He was born on the Plainfield farm May 20, 1845, but spent most of his boyhood in Sterling and Jewett City, where he attended school. At the early age of eight, however, he was obliged to leave school and was put to work in the Slater mill. Though the long hours and the steady application to busi- ness were pretty hard for a child of his years, he taced the situation bravely, and here devloped those powers of self-assertion and free and easy compan- ionship with superiors which have served him many a good turn in later years. At the age of twenty- one, with the assistance of his father, he was pre- pared to start in business for himself, and opened in Jewett City a fruit and confectionery store. Car- rying a high grade of goods, he readily worked up

Av F, Luis

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a paying custom, and continued the business for two years. Perceiving, however, during this time a good opening in the hotel-keeping line, he purchased, in 1868, with the aid of his father, a moderate-sized building, which stood on the site of the present more commodious one, and embarked in business. His ready ability to make friends and his courteous en- tertainment of strangers made his place a popular resort from the first, and, exercising wisdom in his service and in the employment of help, he was en- abled to make it pay. In 1878 the old building burned down, but he promptly replaced it by a more commodious structure, and one more nearly fulfill- ing the needs of his enlarged patronage. This, how- ever, became in time too small for his guests, and in 1896 he made new additions, and improved it in other respects. It occupied a ground space of 93 by 50 feet, was four stories high, and contained forty-one large rooms. It was finished and fur- nished so as to meet the needs of the most fastidious, and its dining room would have done credit to a town several times the size of Jewett City. In Jan- uary, 1904, the building was entirely destroyed by fire, and has been replaced by a fine brick structure. Besides attending to his hotel Mr. Lewis has from time to time engaged in contract building, at which he has been very successful. The handsome school- house recently erected at a cost of $26,000 was under his direction and is a lasting evidence of his ability as a builder.

On May 13, 1869, Mr. Lewis married Lydia Sweet, daughter of James and Mary (Clark) Sweet, and they have had two children: \ son who died in infancy ; and Sadie F., who is now a young woman and resides at home.

Capt. Lewis has throughout his career mani- fested a large interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his town. An enthusiastic supporter of the military organization of his piace, he served as captain of Company H, 3d Regiment, for three years. As a liberal Democrat he is infhiential in politics, and in 1897 represented Griswold in the State Legislature, where he acted with much of- ficiency on the committee on Military Affairs. Fra- ternally he belongs to the I. O. O. F. and is Past Chancellor of the K. of P. Mr. Lewis has always kept himself well posted upon the topics of the day, has been for years an ardent stitdent of American history, and, possessing a retentive memory, is able to discuss questions of public interest with the most learned. His arguments are forceful and con- vincing, and carry much weight in his community. Shrewd business insight, a remarkable ability to make friends, and a magnetic enthusiasm in any cause which he may espouse, are among the dom- inant features of the man.

The Sweet family, to which Mrs. Lewis belongs, is one of the oldest and most respected in New England. John Sweet, the first American repre- sentative of his line, came from Wales to this con- try in 1630, and settled at the foot of Ridge Hill.

in North Kingston, R. I. There he married Mary, daughter of John Greene, and their children, all born in North Kingston, were : Philip, James, Mary, Benoni, Valentine, Samuel, Jeremiah, Renewed and Sylvester.

Elisha Sweet, grandfather of Mrs. Lewis, re- sided in Kingston, R. I., where he was well known and highly esteemed. He married Martha Sher- man, and they had four children who grew to ma- turity: Giffie, who married George Place : Elisha : Amy, who became the wife of George Hudson : and James.

James Sweet, father of Mrs. Lewis, married Mary Clark, daughter of David and Patience Clark. and of their children four grew to maturity : Will- iam E., who at the age of eighteen enlisted in the Civil war, was killed at the battle of Port Hud- son. Lydia is mentioned above. Sarah married James M. Young. Mary, the wife of William H. Baker, resides in Warren, R. I. Mr. and Mrs. Sweet are now deceased.

David Clark, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Lewis, born April 26, 1744, resided in Hopkinton. R. I. He was married twice, his second wife being Patience Clarke, who was born Nov. 15. 1762. daugh- ter of Daniel Clarke. Grandfather Clark died May 1, 1830, and his second wife Sept. 16, 1844. By his first marriage he had eight children: Joshua, born Feb. 26, 1772: Ephraim. April 27, 1773 : Wait. Dec. 20, 1774 : William, May 18, 1776: Joseph, Oct. 30. 1779: James, May 27. 1781: Anne. Jan. 18. 1784: and Susannah, Ang. 30, 1785. By the second mar- riage there were two children : Daniel : and Mary. the mother of Mrs. Lewis.

HON. JAMES H. FINN, one of the represen- tative citizens of New London county, the leading general merchant at Jewett City, and one who has been identified for years with official life, was born June 7. 1856, at Medway, Norfolk Co., Mass., son of Daniel Finn.

Daniel Finn was born in Roscommon counts. Ireland, which locality he left in young manhood and came to America, locating first at Norwich. Conn. He worked in the mills here for a time, and then secured the same employment at Medwas. Mass. Several years later he returned to the Nor- wich mills, in which he remained nut I thon, when be removed with his family to Jewett City, and be came watchman at the Ashland mills. His willst worthy character made him highly samuel there. and he kept the position until his death Ich 12. Son. He was a consistent member of the Catholic Church, and was buried in the Catholic cemetery at Jewett City. In politics he always supported the principles of the Democratic party.

In Norwich, Daniel Finn married Hannah Call- anangh, a native of his own land, born in Galu.s. Ireland, who still survives, resulting at lewelt ( II). where she is valued in the Catholic Church. Three of the clubdren of Damel Finn and lus wife chiel m

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infancy, the others being: James H., of this sketch ; Hannah, wife of Dennis Barnett of Jewett City ; and Daniel F., of Jewett City.

James H. Finn was ten years old when his par- ents located at Jewett City, and at this age he began work in the Ashland mills, having attended school :previously. His salary was fixed at $2.50 a week, and he faithfully performed the duties required of `him, and was happy in contributing to his own support. When he had been employed here about a year, he met with a serious accident. His right arm was caught by some moving machinery, and was so injured before he was rescued, that amputa- tion was necessary. Passing over with genuine sympathy the physical sufferings, how appalling must have been the disaster which deprived a child of eleven years of so useful a member! This acci- dent made him no longer useful as a wage earner, and he was sent to the district schools, later to the Free Academy at Norwich, where he was graduated in 1878.

Still ambitious the student then became a teacher and spent one year at the profession, and then em- barked in a mercantile business, beginning in a small way. His close attention to the wants of his customers, and his genial pleasant manners, soon won the confidence and patronage of the people of Jewett City. He met them more than half way, and as his means increased, gave his customers more advantages and soon in a most legitimate way, built up a large and thriving business. It has developed into one of the leading business enterprises of Jewett City, and still has at its head the same pleasant, affable, obliging and honest man who established it more than twenty years ago. His friends made then are still his friends, and each year has added to the number.

In 1898 Mr. Finn completed the erection of the three story brick block, known as the Finn Block, the largest and most imposing. in Jewett City, it including three stores, the post office, the Opera House and various offices.

In 1891 Mr. Finn was elected to the State Legis- lature on the Democratic ticket, but as that was what will go down in history as "the year of the deadlock," no business was done. He has filled many local offices, has been town clerk and treas- urer for two terms; has been justice of the peace and tax collector. In 1885 Mr. Finn was appointed by President Cleveland postmaster at Jewett City,

and he served in that position for four years with general satisfaction. A change in administration made a change in the incumbent, but upon the return of Mr. Cleveland to the White House, Mr. Finn, in 1893, was re-appointed postmaster, and completed his second term of four years, his service closing again with the defeat of his party. In 1898 he was elected selectman of the town of Griswold, and served as chairman of the board until October, 1904. He has long been one of the leaders of the party, but in official position has known no political

division, attending to his duties with fidelity and due regard for the welfare of the public.

Mr. Finn has always worshipped with his mother, in the Catholic Church, and his benefac- tions to it have always been as liberal as his means would permit. Fraternally he belongs to the New England Order of Protection ; the A. O. U. W .; and the Catholic Benevolent Legion.

CHARLES D. WHITE, manufacturer of Nor- wich, was born Nov. 12, 1861, in Winchendon, Mass., youngest son of Nelson D. and Julia Davis (Long) White, and grandson of Deacon Joseph White, who was one of the pioneer cotton manu- facturers of New England. Charles D. White de- scends from Colonial stock, his first paternal ances- tor in America, Thomas White, coming hither 111 1666, and settling at Charlestown, Mass. A very elaborate genealogy of this family was issued in 1902, by Joseph Nelson White, of Winchendon Springs. Mass., a brother of Charles D. White, an edition designed for private distribution only. In the maternal line Mr. White traces his ancestry back to an old New England family. His mother was an elder sister of Hon. John D. Long, ex-gov- ernor of Massachusetts and ex-secretary of the Navy. Mr. White's father was one of the well known and successful cotton manufacturers of New England. His death occurred in New York City March 12, 1889.

Charles D. White has practically grown up in the manufacturing business. At once after his graduation from Worcester Academy, in 1882, he entered upon the line of manufacturing which he has followed ever since. Beginning at the bottom, that he might acquire a practical knowledge of the various branches of the business, he filled various positions of responsibility in his father's employ. In May, 1891, Mr. White became agent of the Uncasville Manufacturing Company, at Montville, Conn., an establishment that has been transformed from an idle plant into a highly prosperous one, of almost double capacity. In 1897 the Versailles Mill, in the town of Lisbon, was purchased by this company, and thoroughly equipped with new ma- chinery. The product of these mills is denim, ex- clusively, and amounts to about 7,000,000 yards an- nually. In 1899 Mr. White became the owner of these two mills. While comparatively a young man he has demonstrated his ability in his l'ne of busi- ness and has taken a foremost position among the successful manufacturers of Connecticut.

A business man in the fullest sense of the word, Mr. White's interest in political matters is simply that of a public spirited citizen. He is a Republican in sentiment. He resided in Montville until 1899, when he purchased the residence on Broadway, Norwich, where he has since lived. Mr. White married Miss Edith R. Noyes, of North Andover, Mass., and they have two children, Margaret Davis and Mary Noyes.

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CALKINS. The Calkins family of New Lon- don county, of whom the Hon. Arthur B. Calkins is a representative, trace their history in this country for nine generations, from 1640 to the present time, the line of descent being as follows :

(I) Hugh Calkins, born in 1600 at Chepstone, in Monmouthshire, England, came to Gloucester, Mass., in 1640, bringing with him his wife and chil- dren. At that place he was a selectman and deputy to the General Court. He removed to New London about 1651, where he was also a deputy to the General Court. In 1660 he located in Norwich, and was one of the thirty-five proprietors of that town. He was several times chosen deputy to the General Court from Norwich, Conn., and died in 1690, at the advanced age of ninety years. His children were: John, David, Rebecca, Sarah, Mary, . Susan and Deborah.

(II) David Calkins married Mary, daughter of Thomas Bliss, of Norwich, and settled at New London, where he died Nov. 25, 1717. His children were: David, July 5, 1674; Anne, Nov. 8, 1676; Jonathan, Jan. 9, 1679; Peter, Oct. 9, 1681 : John ; Mary ; Joseph, baptized Nov. 3. 1694: Lydia, bap- tized Aug. 9, 1696 ; and Anne (2).

(III) Lieut. Jonathan Calkins, Jan. 9, 1679. married, Dec. 11, 1700, Sarah Turner, born (ct. 28, 1683, daughter of Ezekiel and Susannah (Keeney ) Turner, of New London. They settled at New London, where she died Aug. 15. 1718, and he married Dec. 8, 1719, Anne Pember. His chil- dren, all born to the first marriage, were: Jonathan, Sept. 6, 1701 ; Sarah, July 11, 1703 ; Hannah, July 20, 1705 : Amos, Oct. 14, 1708; Grace, June 23. 17II ; and Thomas.

(IV) Amos Calkins, Oct. 14, 1708. married in October, 1730, Mary Calkins, born May 15, 1700, daughter of Thomas Calkins, and settled at New London where he died June 23, 1775, and his wife (lied there May 16, 1775.

(V) Dr. Daniel Calkins, born Sept. 9. 1746, in New London, married Mary Chappell, who died May 23. 1777, and he married (second), Jan. 1, 1778, widow Elizabeth (Smith) Moore. Three daughters were born of the first marriage, Eunice, Hannah and Esther. The following were born to the second marriage: Ethelinda ; Daniel 11 .; William S. : Amos; Samuel; Elisha C., and Betsey. The father of this family died June to, 1791, from injuries resulting from a kick of a horse.

( VI) Elisha C. Calkins married March 6, 1810. Abby Chapman, born Nov. 23, 1701. in Fast Had- dam, Cona., daughter of Hon. Isaac and Abigil Chapman, of East Haddan. After their marriage the young people resided at East Lyme, Conn., and their children were: Elizabeth A., Sept. 10, 1817 : Juliet G., Feb. 23, 1820, died young . Ipaphras ( .. March 16, 1823: Daniel, Ang. 25, 1825: Swab I ... Feb. 22, 1828 ; Caroline S. Oct 8, 1835, and Fran- ces Ann, June 7. 1830.

(VID) Daniel Calkins, M. D., was born Ang.

25, 1825, in the village of Flanders, in a house in which his father was born, and where his grand- father Dr. Daniel Calkins lived and died. Dr. Daniel Calkins, the younger, obtained his early edu- cation in the schools of Lyme, and Bacon Academy at Colchester. When about fifteen years of age he was induced by a romantic friend to ship before the mast on board a whaling vessel "Avis." Capt. Gil- bert Pendleton commanding. The craft was beached on the coast of Two Peoples Bay, New Holland, and the young fellow was left destitute without friends or money. He shipped again to Hobart Town, Tasmania, and at that place was taken in charge by the American Consul. After staying there about four years, he shipped in the company of Two Peoples Bay whalers, and was in Honolulu for a time, remaining from home about five years in all. At last he returned and began the study of medicine, attending the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City. In 1850 Dr. Calkins began the practice of medicine in the town of East Lyme, and carly in his practice showed himself not only well trained for his profession, but possessing personal qualities which were sure to win for him the confidence of his patients. In October. 1850. he married Elizabeth M .. daughter of Nehemiah Calkins, who died July 15, 1889. Three sons were born of this union, two of whom died in infancy. Dr. Calkins became a Mason in 1853. and attained the 32d degree. For over forty years he was a Knight Templar, and was one of the first in this en- campment. He held the office of grand commander of the Grand Commandery of Connecticut, and in 1802 was sent to the Grand Encampment in Colo- rado, and he has attended other encampments in various parts of the United States. In the town affairs of East Lyme he was also prominent, being town clerk for more than fifteen years, justice of the peace eighteen years, judge of probate seven years, and a member of the school committee man years. His death occurredl in East Lyme. March 25. 1001.

(VIII) ARTHUR B. CHRIS was born Am! 20, 1807, in East Lume, and was carefully chicatel in the public schools and prepared for college, but was prevented from entering on account of his health.

On April 10, 1905. Mr Calkins w. . mamal ty Clava I. Jerome, why die | Ich 15. 1991. . N him three children, Dorothy J. Pinbeth and C'lara J.

Mr. Gallons studied law with A ( ppt. 01 Yes London and lay it 18. he was dostal to the Bar, and for the past tomten vous los loca His office is betty im New Lention, sleep le

State Legislature from East Ligt in pon, and in of the house dettol him then leader m gar and

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1901, and he filled this exacting position with skill and consummate ability. Mr. Calkins has held many positions of trust and responsibility, having been town clerk of East Lyme for eight years ; for four years was clerk of the Probate Court ; member of the Legislature in 1893, and served on the com- mittee on Banks, acting as its clerk. In 1897 he was again elected to the Legislature and appointed on the Committee on the Judiciary, and was chair- man of the committee on New Counties and County Seats. In 1901 he was again elected, and was the efficient chairman of two important committees, Re- vision of Statutes and Fisheries and Game, and a member of the joint committee on Rules. In 1903 he was the Democratic candidate for Secretary of State.

Fraternally Mr. Calkins is a Mason, and is past master of Bay View Lodge, No. 120, F. & A. M., a Knight Templar, a member of Pyramid Tem- ple, Mystic Shrine, and served three years as dis- trict deputy of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Con- necticut. He is also past grand of the I. O. O. F.

Mr. Calkins was married Nov. 9, 1904, to Alfa Curtis Barber, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Barber, of South Framingham, Mass., and has now taken up his residence in New London, although he retains the old family home in East Lyme as his summer residence. .

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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 181

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