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 183

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 183

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Mr. Wilbur is a native of Windham county, Conn., born Sept. 19, 1858, at Grosvenor Dale, town of Thompson, son of Thomas and Sarah (Briggs) Wilbur, the latter a sister of the late Ira Greene Briggs, of Voluntown. Thomas Wilbur was born in 1822 in South Kingston, R. I., son of William Wilbur. He began active life at the age of fifteen as a mill operative in Harrisville, R. I., remaining there until 1854, in which year he came to Grosvenor Dale, Conn. Here he was engaged for ten years as overseer of spinning, at the end of that period re- moving to North Grosvenor Dale, to take the posi- tion of superintendent in the mills there, which he held until 1882. Since that year he has lived prac- tically retired, enjoying the fruits of long years of industry. During his active years Mr. Wilbur was more than a factor in the business world at North Grosvenor Dale. From 1878 to 1885 he served as postmaster at that place, and in 1883 he represented the town of Thompson in the State Legislature. He is a stanch Republican in political principle. Though active in all the relations of life, Mr. Wilbur is a man of quiet domestic tastes, and he is temperate in all his habits. In 1847 he married Sarah, daughter of Wanton Briggs, and of their three children James Thomas is the only survivor. Leander J. was a soldier in the Civil war. Grace died young. Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur are members of the M. E. Church at North Grosvenor Dale, and they are known as worthy Christian people, in every way deserving of the highest respect.

James T. Wilbur was but a young child when his parents located in North Grosvenor Dale, where he passed his boyhood and early youth. He attended the district schools, and later a business college at Worcester, where he graduated in 1876. Following this he entered the Grosvenor Dale Mills, where he learned the trade of machinist under his uncle, George W. Briggs, and subsequently he was book- keeper in the mills under his uncle. Lucius Briggs, who was general superintendent at that time. In 1880 Mr. Wilbur was appointed assistant superin- tendent in the Grosvenor Dale Mills, and filled that position of trust until 1883, in which year he came to Glasgo. Here he became superintendent of the Glasgo Yarn Mill, which was owned and operated by his uncle, Lucius Briggs, and he continued in that position, giving general satisfaction, until 1899, when the mill came under the control of the Ameri- can Thread Company. At the time of the change Mr. Wilbur was appointed agent of the new owners, and their general manager at Glasgo, and he is still discharging the duties of that responsible position in which he has the oversight of 200 hands. His eminent ability and fitness for the line which he has followed have made him a very efficient worker in the various positions in which he has been placed, all of which demanded trustworthiness and ability

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of a high order. He has devoted almost undivided attention to his business affairs, though he has served as chairman of the Griswold board of education, taking particular interest in school matters. Socially he is a member of Reliance Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Jewett City, and of the A. O. U. W. lodge at Volun- town. His religious connection is with the M. E. Church at Voluntown, of which he is trustee and steward, and in politics he is a Republican.

In 1880 Mr. Wilbur married, in North Grosve- nor Dale, Conn., Ida M. Robbins, a native of East Thompson, Windham Co., Conn., daughter of David and Elizabeth (Joslin) Robbins, and four children have blessed this union: Edith M. was educated in the public schools of the home district, Norwich Free Academy, and the Normal school at Willimantic, from which latter she graduated in 1901, and for two years was principal of the Glasgo school, but is now a teacher at Taftville. Sarah E. was educated in the district schools and East Green- wich (R. I.) Academy. Robert A. is a student at Norwich Free Academy. Ralph C. is at home. Mrs. Wilbur is devoted to her home and family. though she and her daughters take considerable interest in social affairs. They are members of the M. E. Church at Voluntown.

ALFRED AVERY YOUNG, by whose death, Jan. 8, 1903, Jewett City suffered a distinct loss, was identified with the manufacturing interests of that place from boyhood. He was a successful man of business, played the part of a Christian gentle- man in every relation of life, and throughout his long and busy career upheld the highest ideals of business honor and useful citizenship. His entire life was passed in Jewett City, and that community pointed to his example with pride, and gave him many marks of honor.

Mr. Young was born Aug. 27, 1820, in Jewett City, son of Alfred and Lucy ( Peck ) Young, and a descendant of Nathan and Judith Young, the first of the family to locate in Scituate, R. 1. The Young family of Rhode Island carly settled in North Kingstown, and in that town the first record of the name is the birth of Nicholas Young, a son of John and Mary, on Nov. 17, 1691. Of the children of Nathan and Judith Young the following are recorded at Scituate, R. 1 .; Dorcas, born March 8. 1745: Jonah; Dyer, who was married, in 1767, to Sarah Davis: Nathan ; James; Asa, who in 1779 married Nancy Clark ; and Bethia, born March 6, 1756. There were other children in this family. but they are not recorded, and it is possible that among them was Amaziah, the grandfather of Alfred A.

Amaziah Young was a resident of Scituate, R. I., and was engaged in farming there. His wife. Anna, was born in 1761, and died March 23. 1832: she is buried in the cemetery at Jewett City. Of their children, several left their native town and State carly in life, locating in the West, and becon-

ing useful and valued citizens. Ira and Annie moved to Indiana, where the latter married a Mr. Roberts, who has the credit of building the first brick house in the part of the State in which they settled. Rufus and Alfred A. ( father of Alfred A., our subject) were twins: the former went to Indiana and later, to Kentucky, where he married a native of that State, and reared a family. Olney, born in 1803, was drowned in the Pachaug river Feb. 4, 1821. Abiatha became a sea captain. and engaged in the tea trade between New York and China, and his later years were passed in New York City; he left no family. Joab, who was a master mechanic, also made his home in New York City ; he left no children.

Alfred A. Young was born in the town of Seit- uate, R. I., April 17, 1795, and early in life located in the town of Griswold, New London Co., Conn .. where he engaged in the business of tanner and currier, his place of business being near the present railroad bridge. He became quite successful. For a time Mr. Young owned and occupied the house at the railroad crossing commonly known as the Fenner house-doubtless the oldest dwelling house now standing in Jewett City. Mr. Young married Lucy Peck, who was born June 25. 1799. in Colum- bia, Conn., daughter of Ensign Darius and Mary Frances Peck, and died Sept. 21. 1889. She long survived her husband, he having passed away July 6, 1840. They are buried at Jewett City. Mr. and Mrs. Young were among the twenty-three who, on April 14. 1825, became the organizing members of the Second Ecclesiastical Society of Griswold. Mr. Young was a Whig in political sentiment. We have the following record of their children: (1) Francis S., born in 1819. died in 1801. He first married Lydia Pellett, who was born in 1823, and died in 1844. His second wife, Sarah Dorrance, was born in 1821, and died in 1808. (2) Alfred Avery, born Aug. 27, 1820, is mentioned below. (3) Louisi R .. born Nov. 16, 1822, married Frederick Hicks. She is buried in Swan cemetery, Providence. R. 1 1.1 Lucy Ann, born Jan. 2, 1825, is the widow of Dr. Alonzo Fuller, and resides in Lawrence, Kaus. 15) Mary Peck, born Sept. 10, 1820, died Nov. 7. 1827. (6) AAbiatha (later changed to Arthur ), born Ang. 23. 1828, died at Slatersville, R. I. (2) Mars Peck (2), born Dec. 11, 1831, was married Sept. 6. 1853. to Henry C. Judd, a wool dealer of Hartford, senhor member of the firm of I. C. Id & Root Six chil dren have been born to this marriage, four of whom survive- Edwin Y., Kunna (wife of Willam 11. Demming ). Jennie B. (Mrs. I conard D. lsk ). and Fred E. (who lives m Pendleton. (Begon). (8) Heury C., born March 11, 1833, died in 150, 11 Southington. Com. He was for years cashier of the New Haven City Bank, and later well West. (+)) William, born May S. 1835, ched Cet 11. 1840 (10) Rengene, born January 21. 1830, has never married, and now makes her home in Rochester. V. Y. She was a school teacher for many years,

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PECK. (I) Henry Peck, Mrs. Young's first ancestor in America, was among the first settlers at New Haven, Conn., in the spring of 1638. He and his brother Deacon William Peck are supposed to have come in company with Theophilus Eaton, John Davenport and others to Boston in 1637, in the ship "Hector." Henry Peck died in 1651 in New Haven.

(II) Benjamin Peck, baptized Sept. 5, 1647, in New Haven, married March 29, 1670, Mary, daugh- ter of Richard Sperry, and died in 1730, in what is now the town of Woodbridge.

(III) Benjamin Peck (2), born Jan. 4, 1671, married Mary -, and first settled in New Haven, from there removing to that part of Nor- wich which was West Farms, and later the town of Franklin. He was admitted a freeman in 1700. His wife died March 3, 1728, and he died May 31, 1742. Mr. Peck was a man of wealth and dis- tinction.

(IV) Jonathan Peck, born March 1, 1717-18, married Jan. 14, 1741-42, Bethia Bingham. He

died in 1780, a resident of Norwich.

(V) Ensign Darius Peck, born March 14, 1749- 50, married (first) Nov. 5. 1772, Hannah Warner, of Windham, and (second) in 1793, in Franklin, Mary Frances. His wife Hannah died in 1789, and he died in 1801.

Alfred A. Young received his early education in the public schools of Jewett City, and further pur- sued his studies in the then famous Bacon Academy, at Colchester, from which he graduated. When six- teen years old he found employment in the store of the Griswold Cotton Company, then managed by Mr. Clark, and three years later, when John F. Slater purchased the property, he succeeded to the position of manager, and at the same time was made bookkeeper and paymaster at the mill. At the be- ginning of his service the employes were paid once in six months, afterward once in three months, then monthly ; and for many years past they have received their wages weekly-the custom in all mills. In time Mr. Young became agent of the Slater mills. which position he continued to fill until about six years before his death, and he was for many years confidential adviser to Mr. Slater, who testified to his esteem for Mr. Young by naming him as one of the executors of his will. Mr. Slater's son, William A., who inherited the vast property, showed the same high regard for his opinion and advice. When Mr. Young became bookkeeper and paymaster at the mill there were ninety looms in operation; at the time of his retirement there were seven hundred. So good was the health of Mr. Young, and so strictly attentive to business was he, that he did not lose a pay day for over fifty years. His term of active service with the Slater mills covered a period of sixty-one years, and though for a number of years before his death he gave up active duties, his faculties were unimpaired, and he appeared many years younger than he really was.

Mr. Young's interest in the manufacturing busi- ness and commercial life did not end with the con- nection just spoken of, the sphere of his business activities enlarging constantly. He was a director for several years of the Ponemah Mills Company, and of the Norwich Bleaching, Dyeing and Printing Company (now the United States Finishing Com- pany) ; and he was at one time president of the Slatersville Mills Company, of Slatersville, R. I. He was one of the original directors of the Thames National Bank of Norwich, being at the time of his death the last survivor still on the board; the orig- inal president and cashier also died before Mr. Young. He was also one of the incorporators of the Chelsea Savings Bank of Norwich, and the Jewett City Savings Bank, of which latter he was a vice-president ; was president of the Slatersville Mills Corporation, at Slatersville, R. I .; and had other business relations more or less remote from home.

In spite of the close attention he was obliged to give to business Mr. Young was not merely a busi- ness man. He traveled extensively, seeing consid- erable of both continents, and travel and wide read- ing broadened his mind and gave him a knowledge of men and affairs which helped him materially in his dealings with his fellow men. He possessed a fine library. He was a man of fine appearance, ac- centuated by his dignified and courteous bearing,. and softened by the kindliness of his disposition. In business he was shrewd and farseeing, but the soul of integrity in any transaction, and he was. widely and favorably known throughout this part of the State. Mr. Young's long life told constantly for industry, honesty, integrity and uprightness. In him the possibility of a man's beginning to work with his hands, with no capital but character and perseverance, and attaining the highest success, was most strikingly shown. His life has been fruitful of much good, as an object lesson and in other ways.

In politics Mr. Young was originally a Whig, and in the memorable Harrison campaign of 1840 he carried a banner, painted by himself and in- scribed "Old Griswold, ever true and always ready." in a parade in Norwich, with sixty-seven of his fel -. low townsmen. He later affiliated with the Repub- lican party, and was a stanch believer in its doc- trine. Though often solicited to accept office, he- has always refused. He joined the Congregational Church in Jewett City in 1858, and held many offices in the society, and his place in church was rarely vacant on the Sabbath. Mr. Young had been in failing health for several years before his death. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. George N. Edwards, pastor of the Congregational Church, of Jewett City, assisted by Rev. Charles A. North- rop, of Norwich, and the remains were laid to rest in the family lot in Jewett City cemetery. Mr. Young was first married to Sarah Palmer Atwood, who was born Dec. 21, 1830, and who died Oct.

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

17, 1860. Two children were born of this union : Sarah H., born Oct. 2, 1860, died Aug. 30, 1861 : and Grace, now the wife of Charles Weatherby, of East Hartford, Conn., by whom she has one son, Charles Alfred. On May 2, 1862, Mr. Young, for his second wife, married Harriet Elizabeth Couch, daughter of Rev. Paul Couch ; she was born June 26, 1833, and her death occurred June 17, 1875. Three children were born of this union: (1) Lucy Peck married William L. Sweet, and resided in Jewett City, where she died Feb. 26, 1902, aged thirty-nine years. She left three children, George Arnold and Elizabeth. The family now reside in Moscow, N. Y. (2) Alfred A. (3) Harriet Tyler is the wife of George F. Wheelock, of Moscow, N. Y., and has two children, Louise Y. and Austin. For his third wife, Mr. Young married Jane E. Fanning, born April 23, 1838, died Jan. 6, 1889.

ALFRED A. YOUNG, son of the subject of this sketch, was born in Jewett City Oct. 14, 1864. He received his education in the public schools of his native town, and in Highland Military Academy, graduating from the latter institution in 1882. Re- turning home he soon after accepted a position in the office of the Slater Company, later advancing to the position of treasurer, which office he held until 1895, when he severed his connection with that firm. Previous to the latter date he had established a small green house and florist business, and this he has since greatly enlarged, having at the presen. time the largest establishment of its kind in the State, east. of the Connecticut river. He whole- sales his product to New York and Boston.

Mr. Young is a Republican in politics, but takes no interest in party work, except as it affects the interests of his town and county. He served one term as the first warden of the borough of Jewett City. Fraternally he belongs to Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 75, F. & A. M.

On June 22, 1897, Mr. Young was married. in New Preston, Conn., to Miss Agnes May Burr, of Brooklyn, N. Y .. daughter of John T. and Kather- ine (Skidmore) Burr, the former a native of Litch- field county, Conn., in which county, and also in Fairfield, the Burr family is an old one of much prominence. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Young: Alfred Avery and Harriet Couch.

FREDERICK I. BANNING. one of the highly respected residents of Jewett City. New London Co., Conn., is now living retired after mam years of successful employment in mechanical work.

It has become a tradition in the Fanning family. that their ancestor, Edmund Fanning, escaped from Dublin in 16gt, in the time of the great rebellion ( manuscript information from the late Capt John Fanning of Norwich), and after eleven years of wandering and uncertainty, he found a resting plice in that part of New London now called Groton, in the year 1652. Another account given in Howell's "History of Southampton, 1. 1." Caken fron the

South Side Signal of Aug. 21, 1880. as obtained from a gravestone in Riverhead ) has it that the Fannings of Long Island are descended from Do- minicus Fanning, who was mayor of a city in Ire- land, and was beheaded by Cromwell in the Civil war, and that he had a son Edmund who removed from Kilkenny in- Ireland to Stonington. Con- necticut.

Edmund Fanning, the emigrant, died in Ston- ington in December. 1653, leaving a widow. Ellen Fanning, and . children, as follows: Edmund. Thomas, John, William. James and Mary. the latter marrying Benjamin Hewett.

(II) Thomas Fanning, son of Edmund the emi- grant, married, Oct. 19. 1684, Frances Ellis. Mr. Fanning served in King Philip's War.

(HI) James Fanning, son of Thomas, married Harriet Smith, of Smithtown, Long Island.

(IV) Gilbert Fanning, son of James. married. Dec. 25, 1753, Huldah Palmer, born Jan. 23. 1730. daughter of Dr. Nathan and Phebe ( Billings ) Palmer. His children were: Nathaniel, born Mas 31. 1755 ; Gilbert, born Jan. 30. 1757 : William. born July 19, 1758: James, born April to. 1760; Huldah. born July 19, 1762, died AApril to, 1765: Thomas. born May 17. 1765 : Huldah, born May 30. 1707: Edmund, born July 16, 1760: Samuel, born April 21, 1771 ; Richard. born June 22. 1774: Henry, bern April 13. 1778. Of these Capt. Nathaniel Fan- ning was a midshipman, commanding the main top of the ship "Goodman Richard." under Capt. Paul Jones in his famous fight with the English ship "Serapis." He was promoted to a lieutenvon in the United States navy, and died of yellow over while in command of the United States nivel st. tion at Charleston, S. C. Sept. 30, 1805.

Charles Fanning, the grandfather of 0 11 Fanning, was a native of Preston. Comm .. bern De 16. 17449. When a young man he carried on tum ing on Port Hill, but later engaged in weich mis- ing at Glasgo, and after a number of sous le com to Jewett City, where his latter vers welt sport During the Revolution he served as capital. nl was paymaster under Washington. Wholatin- ette paid this country a Visit, Lupt Faminto newed his acquaintance with the whist sosle I Frenchman, who enjoyed Ins hospitality Beadles being a man of military roman. we pat lay Down records, that Mr Running was ald were go

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1775, died Aug. 31, 1789 ; Betsy, born Jan. 2, 1777, died Oct. II, 1854; Annie, born May 23, 1779, died May 29, 1813 ; Sophia, born June 22, 1781, died Oct. 26, 1833 ; Charles, Jr., born Dec. 13, 1783, died May 19, 1800, while on a sea voyage; Maria, born Sept. 26, 1786; Patrick, born Aug. 23, 1788, died Nov. 22, 1867 ; Franklin, born Aug. 19, 1791, died Oct. 15, 1884; Frederick, born Nov. 17, 1793, died in New Orleans of yellow fever ; Thomas, born Nov. 4, 1795, sailed from New York March 13, 1827, and was lost at sea; John Watson, father of our subject, born April 8, 1798. Charles Fanning died March 22, 1837, and was buried in the lower cem- etery at Jewett City, Connecticut. ١٠

John Watson Fanning, son of Charles, was born in the town of Preston, Conn. (now Griswold), April 8, 1798, and there grew up, enjoying the ad- vantages of the home schools. He began his busi -- ness career as a clerk in his father's store at Jewett City, and in time became the head of the concern. For many years he conducted very successfully a general store, located on the main street of the vil- lage, on almost the identical spot where our sub- ject has in recent years built his handsome home. In politics he was first a Whig, and later a Repub- lican, but never aspired to public office. He was a member of the Congregational Church, and was quite active on the committee. When the Congre- gational Church in Jewett City was organized in 1825, his wife's name was among those of the twen- ty-three original members, as was also that of "Heppy" Fanning, the second wife of his father, Charles Fanning.

On Oct. 8, 1824, John W. Fanning and Mary Wilson were united in marriage. She was a daugh- ter of John Wilson, who came to Griswold from New Hampshire on foot, and was interested with Eleazer Jewett (the founder of Jewett City) in a fulling mill. John Wilson married first Janet, sis- ter of Eleazer Jewett, and second a lady named Lathrop. The father died May 18, 1885, aged eigh- ty-seven, and Mrs. Fanning died June 30, 1877, aged seventy-eight years. To Mr. and Mrs. Fan- ning were born children as follows: (1) John M., lived in California where he died June 5, 1886, aged sixty years. He served in a California regiment during the Civil war. (2) Mary is the widow of Allen Burleson, who is spoken of at greater length elsewhere. (3) Charles who for fifteen or twenty years carried on the store at Jewett City, now lives retired in Preston, Conn. He married Helen Thompson, and they have one daughter,- Bessie. (4) Frederick H. was born Oct. 21, 1832. (5) Thomas died young. (6) Jane E., deceased, married Alfred A. Young, of Jewett City. (7) Kate married Thomas Congdon, of Willimantic, Conn.

Frederick H. Fanning was reared in Jewett City, town of Griswold, and attended the local schools un- til he was seventeen years of age, when he entered a machine shop at Providence and remained three years, perfecting himself in his trade. He was

employed for a time in locomotive works at Spring- field, Mass. At the first call for troops, he enlisted in May, 1861, in Company B, 5th Connecticut V. I., and served until July, 1865, being with Sherman on his famous March to the Sea. Among the many engagements in which he participated, the fol- lowing are the most important : Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and with General Banks campaigning in the Shenandoah Valley. It was upon Banks' re- treat from the Shenandoah that Mr. Fanning was taken prisoner, and was held for one summer, until exchanged.

Upon his return home, Mr. Fanning entered the machine shop of Slater Mill, Jewett City, and for thirty years, or until 1895, continued with that in- stitution. Since 1895 Mr. Fanning has lived re- tired, enjoying the fruits of his years of toil. In politics he is a Republican, and has at various times accepted office, serving four years as selectman, and representing the town in the State legislature in 1881. He is an attendant upon the services of the Congregational Church, and president of the ceme- tery association, organized in 1901, to improve and care for the lower cemetery. He is a charter mem- ber of Mt. Vernon Lodge, F. & A. M., and was ac- tive in its organization, serving as its first master.

On Dec. 3, 1855, Mr. Fanning was united in marriage with Ellen A. Pellett, of Canterbury, Conn. To this marriage were born children as fol- lows: Frederick W. died young; Mary L., born June 25, 1859, married Frank E. Olds, of Jewett City, and died March 27, 1901 ; Frederick H., Jr., was born Oct. 30, 1864, in Jewett City.

CLARENCE MASON SHAY, President of the C. M. Shay Fertilizer Company, and one of the leading young business men of Groton, is a native of Mystic. He was born Aug. 8, 1873, son of Den- nis and Josephine (Mordock) Shay.

Dennis Shay died when his son was only six months of age, Mrs. Shay surviving her hsuband until Clarence was six years old, after which he made his home with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Frink, near Mystic. The early days of his school life were spent at the district school at the Road church in Stonington, and he later attended the high school at Old Mystic. At the age of seven- teen he found employment in Old Mystic with F. A. Chapman, remaining two years, and then for eight- een months he was engaged in the meat business at Old Mystic, following the same work at Mystic for two years, and for one year he was employed at the Wilcox Fertilizer Works, at Mystic, as foreman of the works. On May 26, 1898, he bought the Fertilizer Works of A. F. Hewitt, and operated thie business under the firm name of C. M. Shay, the plant being located at Groton, Connecticut. In May, 1901, the C. M. Shay Fertilizer Co. was organized, with a capital stock of $50,000, Mr. Shay being chosen President of the Company, which manufac- tures high grade bone fertilizers, and deals in hides,

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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 183

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