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 187

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 187

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ELIAS FRANKLIN MORGAN, founder of the Morgan Iron Works, in New London, Conn., was one of that city's representative business men and influential citizens. He was a descendant of an old New England family, and one that has been identified with New London from its earliest his- torv. He was born Dec. 17, 1834, in Gilead, town of Waterford, Conn., and passed away Oct. 29, 1895, in New London.

This Morgan family descends from Richard Rose-Morgan, who settled in the western part of New London ( now the town of Waterford), Conn., in 1679 or 1680.

One James Morgan was an early settler in New London. He came with the Cape Ann Company to Pequot (New London), and later settled east

of the Thames, becoming the ancestor of a numer- ous posterity.

The descendants of Richard Rose-Morgan, for a considerable period, retained the adjunct of Rose, apparently to distinguish them from the other fam- ily. Richard Rose-Morgan died in 1698, leaving sons, John, Richard and Benjamin, and several daughters. His widow, Hopestill Morgan, died June 1, 1712. The line of descent from this Rich- ard Rose-Morgan is through his son John, his son Peter, his son Abraham, whose son Philip was the grandfather of Elias F. Morgan.

Richard Rose-Morgan, the father of Elias F., was in early life a farmer in the town of Waterford, was industrious and successful, and he retired from active business early in life. His first wife was Eliza Chapel of Waterford, and his second wife was Eliza Morgan Moore. He was the father of five children, of whom two lived to adult age, namely: Elias F .; and Mrs. Samuel Dennis, of New London.

Elias F. Morgan received his early schooling: in the Morgan school at Lyme, Conn., later attend- ing the Bartlett high school in New London until 1848, and finishing in the schools of Lyme. On the death of his mother, in the latter part of 1848, he entered the employ of P. D. Irish, with whom he continued for three years. When a young man, in 1853, he went to the Sandwich Islands on account of ill-health, making the trip in the bark "Menton," and while there he was engaged in the ship-chand- lery business for several years, as a clerk for Henry P. Havens. He was also employed for a time by C. B. Rice & Co. In 1858 he sailed from the Islands on a whaling and trading voyage to the Ochotsk and Japan seas, traveled extensively in Australia, and finally returned to his native land in the bark "Delta," although she had been pronounced un- seaworthy. Coming back to New London he went to work as accountant for Perkins & Smith, the leading merchants in their line. However, he did not remain long. In the latter part of 1858 he sailed in the bark "Enterprise" for Talcahuano, a Chilean seaport, in the interest of local merchants, and there remained, engaged in the ship chandlery business, until 1862. Returning to New London, he was married there Sept. 23, 1862, to Miss Ann M. Reeves, with whom he went back to Chili in No- vember, and there remained for three years longer,. engaged in the whaling business. His health fail- ing, he took his physician's advice and returned to the United States, where he remained for seven months before going to Chili again, meantime buy- ing in New Bedford the ship "Contest," which he. sent with a cargo of lumber from Bangor, Maine, to the Chincha Islands, off the coast of Peru. In May, 1865, having settled business affairs in Chili, he settled down to make his permanent home in New London. But on the solicitation of Messrs. Haven, Frink, Prentis and others, interested in the

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ship "Poncas," at that time fitting out with arms for the Chilean government, he went with her to Chili, to attend to the distribution of the cargo. During this visit he became acquainted with Don Benjamin Vicuna McKenna, the Spanish diplo- matic agent, at whose earnest request he entered the employ of the Spanish government, purchasing for them $1,000,000 worth of rifles and ammuni- tion. While thus engaged he made his headquarters at the Spanish legation in Valparaiso, where he met many distinguished people. He finally returned home in 1868, at the close of the war. In all he crossed the ocean fifteen times.

Taking up his residence in New London, as he had previously intended, he was prevailed upon to invest money in and straighten out the affairs of the Albertson & Douglas Machine Company, which employed from 100 to 200 men, and successfully carried through that work, finally in 1889, selling the property to the railroad company. The same year he bought Bragaw's Marine Railway on Fort Neck, where he at once built and established the Morgan Iron Works, which are still in operation, a monument to his energy and business ability. He was made president and treasurer of the com- pany, and continued in that capacity until his death. Mr. Morgan was careful and shrewd, and an alert far-seeing business man. The following tribute to his character appeared in a local paper at the time of his death :

"A life of more than ordinary adventure and contact with many men of ability gave to him much of that broadness of view which varied experiences alone can give. Naturally of delicate physique, his indomitable energy, his enterprise and his will car- ried him through many undertakings where men of feebler heart would have succumbed.

"Possessed naturally of a charm and courtesy of manner, which is too unfortuately known as 'old fashioned,' his travel and experience had added to this natural charm that quality of personal magnet- ism which would have made him an accomplished diplomat, did our diplomatic service tempt men of his class into its ranks.

"Positive of his convictions, quick in his deci- sions, he was sometimes impatient with those whose train of thought was slower than his.

"He passes from this world leaving behind in his family the memory of one whose every thought was for them, and of them, leaving behind hin. friends who will miss forever his thoughtint and graceful courtesy and the record of the continued and heroic struggle of an able, earnest and ambitions mind."

In 1868-70 Mr. Morgan built his handsome resi- dence on Broad street, where the surviving them- bers of his family still reside, and there he passed away Oct. 20. 1895, after several months' suffering from paralysis. In politics Mr. Morgan was a stanch Republican, and served the city of New Ion don as alderman several times. He was a life mem

ber of Union Lodge, No. 31, F. & A. M., of New London.

Mr. Morgan was married Sept. 23. 1862. to Ann M. Reeves, daughter of Shadrach and Matsey Godfrey ( Eldridge) Reeves, of New London, and they had children as follows: ( 1) Ricardo R. was educated in the schools of New London. and upon the death of his father became the president and treasurer of the Morgan Iron Works. He is unmarried. (2) Elias F., Jr., was graduated from Cornell, and for several years was associated with his father. He is now conducting a laundry at Fort Terry, under a permit from the Secretary of War for the benefit of the officers and men of the New London Artillery District. He married Laura Clark, of Binghamton. N. Y .. and they have two children, Philip Clark and Richard Rose. (3) George Curtis, after graduating from the public schools of his native town entered Harvard Uni- versity, and graduated from the law school in 1804. He is now practicing his profession with success in New London. He married in January. 1807. Nancy Lee Brown, daughter of Edward T. Brown, pre-1- dent of the Brown Cotton Gin Company, and they have one child. AAdelaide Matilda. 14) Henry Haven is architect and agent for the Mallory Co .. steam fitters and plumbers of New London. Ile married Henrietta Griswold, of Illinois; they have no children. (5) Constance Mead was married April 6. 1904. to Harry C. Chappell, of New Len don.

CAPT. JOHN A. MORGAN. The death vi Capt. John A. Morgan, on Aug. 2. 1993. rep vel from Groton one of its honest, fearless, progressive and useful citizens.

The Morgan family is an old and honorable . 0 in New England, and the carly history of the family in New London county is to be found dewhere.

Nicholas Morgan, the grandfather of Capt Vi- gan, was a farmer, and owned the old family pro- erty at the foot of old Fort Thill. There des Morgan, father of Capt. Morgan, was Les le 5. 18144. Until 1845 he lived on the june 1.00 Hear firston village, and then i moved fast - Dam on Poquonock Plains where the register of his lite was sent. During Ins voriges des. The man men of this locality, he went to get, and In fol three successful whaling & water

The late Caft. John \. Morgan wes Jam In Bognoneck. April to. 18 go, SonOF Y il th Morgan, and We live In his tone police wifi his marriage quenock Bridge, and at ily Vy ile VEplayed on ing the carly vous of In upload. He . Mas

cign ports, besides home cast . nathalie male

18og he shipped before the free on the line

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

liam Edwards," and made a number of voyages, to New Orleans, Havre de Grace, etc., and in Decem- ber, 1865, was on the vessel, off Egg Harbor, when it was run down by a steamer which took the crew to New York. In 1866 he returned to the fishing busi- ness in Long Island Sound and on the coast of Maine, and became captain of a fishing boat, his enterprise making him a factor in this line of activity.

In 1867 Capt. Morgan bought an interest in the oil works, at East Boothbay, his partners being, Frederick Gallup, now a resident of Groton, Alex- ander G. Manchester, of Portsmouth, R. I., and Calvin Burroughs, of Poquonock, in which partner- ship, Mr. Gallup had charge of the works, and the others of the fishing. For twenty-one years he con- tinued in the business, but in 1881 he gave it up, removing, in 1895, from Broad street to his late home in Groton Village, having resided in Groton some twenty-five years.

Capt. Morgan was connected with all movements for public improvements, and those which would, in any way, benefit his town or profit his fellow citizens. In the truest sense of the word, he was an honest, fearless man-one, it is safe to say, who had no enemies. He was universally esteemed and beloved, not only for his integrity, but for his con- stant desire to serve and assist his fellow men. On numerous occasions he was honored by his fellow citizens with election to various offices of public trust. For a number of years he held the office of selectman, and he was also elected assessor. Capt. Morgan was prominently identified with the move- ment to establish Groton Fire district, No. I, and it was largely through his endeavors that the ef- forts of those interested in the movement culminated successfully. He was elected chairman of the first fire district committee, and he held that office con- tinuously until 1903, when he was compelled, on account of failing health, to decline a renomination. Since the organization of the fire department he had been fire chief, and this office he held until the time of his death. Few enterprises of any moment were inaugurated without the approval of Capt. Morgan, so great was the confidence placed in his integrity and good judgment.

Capt. Morgan was connected with several fra- ternal orders, being a member of Thames Lodge, No. 13, A. O. U. W .; Fair View Lodge, No. 10I, I. O. O. F .; and Charity and Relief Lodge, No. 72, A. F. & A. M., of Mystic. In these organi- zations the cordial feeling entertained for him was remarkable.

On Feb. 21, 1877, at East Boothbay, Maine, Capt. Morgan was united in marriage with Ann Mary Gould, daughter of John Gould, of that place. She survives her husband as do also the three chil- dren of this marriage, namely: Mary Abbie : Youngs, engaged in business with the plumbing firm of Newman & Cronin, New London; and Ed- ward Goudy. Capt. Morgan is also survived by

two sisters, Mrs. James B. Palmer, of Lisbon, Conn., and Mrs. Charles C. Palmer of Poquonock. In politics, Capt. Morgan was a Democrat and dur- ing the administration of President Cleveland he served for a period of five years as captain of the Government launch at the Navy Yard.

SAMUEL NOTT HYDE, one of the leading and prominent citizens of the town of Franklin, de- scends from one of the oldest families of the vicinity and his ancestral record is as follows :

The name of William Hyde of Norwich, of which town he was an original proprietor in 1660-1, first appears in New England at Hartford, Conn., in 1636, of which town he was also an original pro- prietor in 1639. He had land assigned to him, and his name is on the monument there dedicated to the founders of that city. He was later of Saybrook and Norwich, of which latter place he was fre- quently elected selectman, and was a man of con- siderable importance. His death occurred in Nor- wich, Jan. 6, 1681. Nothing seems to have been learned of his wife. His children were Samuel and Hester.

(II) Samuel Hyde, born in Hartford about 1637, married in June, 1659, Jane Lee, daughter of Thomas and Phœbe (Brown) Lee. Mr. Lee left England for America in 1641, and died on the pas- sage. Samuel Hyde was one of the original proprie- tors of Norwich in 1660, in which town he and his wife settled. He was a farmer and had lands as- signed to him in Norwich, West Farms, where he died in 1677. His children were: Elizabeth, Phœbe, Samuel, John, William, Thomas, Sarah and Jabez, all born between 1660 and 1677. The daughter Elizabeth, born in August, 1660, is said to have been the first white child born in the town.

(III) Thomas Hyde, born in July, 1672, at Nor- wich, married in December, 1697. Mary Backus, born in November, 1672, at Norwich, second daughter of the first Stephen Backus and Sarah (Gardner) Backus, of Norwich. Mr. Hyde settled as a farmer in what is now Franklin, and his wife died there March 27, 1752. He survived her, and died April 9, 1755. Their children were: Thomas, Jacob, Abner, Mary, Phoebe and Jane, all born be- tween 1698 and 1706, inclusive.

(IV) Abner Hyde, born Sept. 12, 1706, in what is now Franklin, married first Oct. 16, 1729, Jerusha Huntington, born Jan. 15, 1705, eldest daughter of Capt. James and Priscilla (Miller) Huntington, of Norwich. They settled in what is now Franklin, where Mrs. Hyde died Nov. 10, 1733. Mr. Hyde married Oct. 28, 1734, Mehitabel Smith, born about 1713, probably the second daughter of Capt. Obe- diah and Martha ( Abel) Smith. Mr. Hyde died Dec. 7, 1787, in Franklin, and his widow passed away in that town April 28, 1792. The first Mrs. Hyde had two children, Phoebe and Jerusha, while the following children were born to the second mar- riage : Abner, Asa, Samuel, Nathaniel, Elihu, Isaac,

Samuel Noth Hozde

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mehetable, Ann and Ruth, all born between 1735 and 1756, inclusive.

(V) Abner Hyde (2), born April 1, 1738, in what is known as Franklin, married Jan. 3, 1760, Temperance Willes, born May 19, 1738, daughter of the Rev. Henry Willes, the first minister of Frank- lin, Conn., and Martha ( Kirtland) Willes. Mr. Hyde settled in the section where he was born, and there his death occurred. His wife died in Frank- lin April 2, 1809, and their only child was Milton Hyde, born March 19, 1772.

(VI) Capt. Milton Hyde was the grandfather of our subject, and was a farmer by calling. He re- sided on the farm now occupied by his grandson. He was a well known singing teacher, and for many years was a member of the church choir of Frank- lin. Capt. Hyde gained his title while serving as captain in the local militia. His death occurred Feb. 19, 1843. He was married, Jan. 6, 1793, to Lovice C. Hyde, born Dec. 26, 1773, fifth daughter of Eli and Rhoda (Lathrop) Hyde. Mrs. Hyde died Nov. 9, 1851. Their children were: Abner, born June 4, 1794, married March 7, 1816, Mary Bailey, born Jan. 28, 1794; Nathaniel, born April 18, 1805 : Uri Lathrop, born May 28, 1807, died April 25, 1809: John Milton, born April 4, 1809, married Sarah M. Dunham; Harlan, born July 24, 1811, married, Nov. 12, 1833, Eunice Allen Avery ; Octa- via, born March 22, 1795, died May 21, 1813; Tem- perance, born Jan. 24, 1797, married, Aug. 22, 1826, Samuel Manning, born May 2, 1789, in Lebanon, Conn .; Almira, born March 16, 1799, married in 1838 Samuel Manning, her brother-in-law ; Vera, born March 21, 1801, died unmarried May 6, 1839; Lydia, born April 17, 1803, died June 2, 1843, un- married ; and Esther Louisa, born Dec. 6, 1814, died Oct. 6, 1834.

(VII) Nathaniel Hyde, born April 18. 1805. father of Samuel N., came into the world on the farm above mentioned. In his early married life he resided upon a rented farm at Smith's Corners. but later was employed on the farm of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Nott, on Franklin Hill. From that place he removed to the old homestead, and there resided until about 1875, when he retired from active work. and resided in Willimantic until his death, which took place March 26, 1896, and he was buried at Franklin. Although well advanced in years, he was very active and well preserved. Early in life hic was a Whig, but later became a Republican, and served as a grand juror in Franklin for many years. At one time he was a member of the Connecticut Ritle Team, when that organization was in exist- ence. For a long time prior to his death, he was a prominent member of the Congregational Church. and took an active part in the musical matters, being an excellent vocalist.

Nathaniel Hyde was first married, March 15. 1831, to Ruth Pamela Taylor, of Mansfield, born about 1808, and she died May 25. 1814. The chil dren born of this marriage were: Henry Francs.

born Sept. 21. 1834, died May 12, 1835: Sarah Eliza Tenney, born June 10. 18-, married Henry Waters, and died in Yantic, leaving one son, Albert . Julia Pamelia, born Sept. 16, 1840, married ( first ) Nathan Avery, and ( second ) Benjamin Grant.

On March 18, 1845, Nathaniel Hyde married Lura Abby Robinson, born Aug. 17. 1822, eldest daughter of Arad and Lura (Abell ) Robinson. A lengthy sketch of the Robinson family is to be found elsewhere. Mrs. Hyde, who survives her husband. resides on the home farm. The children she bore him were as follows: Samuel Nott. born Aug. 16. 1846; Charles Arad. born March 10. 1848. married Mary Armstrong, was engaged in business at Baltic, when he died in September, 1870: Harriet R., born Jan. 4, 1850, married Anson Hoxie, has one son, Harry, and resides in Providence. R. L., where he is engaged in the restaurant business ; Mary Lovice, born March 18, 1852, married Frederick L .. Swift. of Willimantic, who is employed in the U. S. Postal service, and they have children, Hazel Bailey and Earl Hyde ( who died at the age of eight months ) ; Lucy Augusta, born July 25. 1854, is unmarried ; Lura Abby, born July 7. 1856, married William J. Adams, a well known restaurant proprietor of New Haven, and they have one child. Bernice : Henry Nathaniel, born Dec. 5. 1859. married Agnes Rouse, is engaged in a trucking business in Willi- mantic, and has one child. Ruell Milton : Wilhant Lewis, born April tr. 1861. married Ida M. Hicks and resides in Providence, where he is engaged na restaurant business : Lavins Harland, born July 20. 1863. married Nancy Hulen, and has one child. Ethel May (he is stage manager at Keith's Theatre. Boston ) : Frank Nelson, born Nov. 11. 1805, 1101 residing in New Haven, married Lena Walker, an 1 has children, Vera Abby and Irene May.

(\'111) Samuel Nott Hyde was born in the house he now occupies, and attended the district school. while he was brought up to farm work. Remaining at home until his marriage. he then removed to Baltic, and was employed two years as a farm laborer, when he returned to the homestead, and rented it from his father, who retired from active work. A few years later he purchased the farm. and has added to it until he now has a farm i seventy six acres, which he devotes to general farm- ing.

On May 1. 1872. Mr. Hyde married, n Sterling. Conn .. Mrs. Olive A Shepard, a native of Sterling. and a daughter of Elisha Hade, of that phee In politics he is a Republican Soon after attaining to his majority, Mr. Hyde was made a constable. and has served as same ever since, ding the greater portion of the business of the town in las Ing has also served very acceptably as tax collecter for the past dogen sons In 1% la represented In Im in the Legislature, and while there was a member of the committee on Sale of Lands, Dannis the Session of tet and that of theg. he was dowhenes of the House For many vens he has adt las

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD).

chairman of the Republican town central committee, resigning in 1900. He attends the Congregational Church, while Mrs. Hyde united with the Baptist Church at Baltic, but is now a member of the Frank- lin Congregational Church. They are both very highly respected in the community, and have a wide circle of warm personal friends.

GEORGE W. ALEXANDER, whose name is well known in the mechanical world in New London county, was born at East Haddam Landing, Middle- sex Co., Connecticut.

On Aug. 4, 1718, five small vessels, carrying 120 families of Scotch-Irish, numbering 750 per- sons, dropped anchor in Boston harbor. Fifty fami- lies or more went directly to Worcester, Mass., while others sailed . eastward along the coast to Casco Bay, where they wintered. Early in the spring of 1719 they explored still farther to the east- ward, leaving some of their number in Falmouth, and a few others along the coast from Casco to Merry Meetings bays; but the majority, desiring a milder climate and more favorable location, returned to the Merrimac, and sought homes fifteen miles north of Haverhill, at Nutfield, afterward called London- derry, New Hampshire.

A majority of the families coming to America with Robert Temple and William Boyd (the leaders of the above expedition) had resided in Coleraine, County of Londonderry, Ulster, Ireland, having there been engaged in farming and ship carpenter- ing ; thirty years before, during the reign of James II (1685-1688), they had left Scotland in search of greater freedom.

James Alexander, a native of Scotland, or Ulster, Ireland, is named as one of the founders of Lon- donderry, N. H. He was one of the "governing board," a selectman for several terms, and a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church. He had been an inhabitant of Ulster, Ireland, and was descended from the Alexanders of Argyllshire, Scotland. His wife's Christian name was Mary. One of their sons, Joseph Alexander, born in Londonderry, N. H .. Aug. 27, 1726, died in Voluntown, Conn., in Au- gust, 1816. He married Sarah Dorrance, and their children were: Joseph, James, Samuel, Elizabeth, Mary and George. Of these, James, born in 1761, served as town clerk of Voluntown for nearly thirty years. He was a farmer and cabinetmaker. He married and his children were: Joseph, Thomas D., Harry and Sarah C. ( who married Isaac Gallup). Thomas Alexander, grandfather of George W. Alexander, of Montville, was born in Mystic, Conn. He was in the Mystic Fort during the war of 1812, in which he served. Of his children there is record of William, Susan, Jefferson, Levingston and Mary.

Levingston Alexander, son of Thomas, was born in Mystic, Conn., and he died in East Haddam, Conn., about 1890, aged eighty-two years. In his early life he went to Colchester, Corn., and on

reaching his majority located at East Haddam Landing, where he passed the rest of his life en- gaged in farming. He was industrious and hard- working, and succeeded in winning a comfortable competence. Politically he was a Democrat of the old school. In 1832 he married Jerusha Burnham, of Colchester, who survived her husband but two years, and died aged eighty-one years. Their chil- dren, all born in East Haddam, were: (I) George WV. (2) Albert Henry, born April 1, 1835, was formerly engaged in the manufacture of sash and blinds, but is now a farmer in East Haddam. He married Mary Smith, who died some twenty-five years ago, leaving three children, Mary, Arthur and Louis. (3) Marcia, born in April, 1842, married Helen B. Cone, of East Haddam, a farmer now deceased. She is making her home in East Had- dam. Her children were William, Addie F. and Nellie.

George W. Alexander received his education in the district schools of East Haddam, leaving same at the age of seventeen years. Going then to Salem, Conn., he was apprenticed to learn the cooper's trade with James S. Tew, with whom he remained about one year. Returning home, for two years he ran a cooperage establishment of his own in East Had- dam, and on closing it out, he located in Montville, where he took charge of the barrel making and re- pairing at William G. Johnson's Dye works, a re- sponsible position for a young man of but twenty- two years. How well he succeeded in giving satis- faction to his employer is attested by his long term of service there, a period covering twenty-six years. For two years and a half Mr. Alexander was then employed at the Millstone Quarries, in the town of Waterford, Conn., where he had charge of the wood- work repairs. He was next employed for four years in the Charles S. Johnson grist and sawmill, after which he spent two years overseeing the re- pairs of the Uncasville Manufacturing Company's mills at Montville. Ill health necessitated his giving up steady work, and for some years he worked when able at carpentering and odd jobs, devoting himself to the recovery of his old time strength. He is now employed in the cooperage department of the Uncasville Dyewood and Extract works. Mr. Alexander is a master workman, and it is his nature to do well whatever he attempts. Naturally indus- trious he has never been out of work when it was possible for him to work. He is highly respected by his employers, and his fellow workmen regard him as one of their best friends.

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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 187

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