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 188

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 188

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On Jan. 18, 1858, Mr. Alexander was married to Miss Nancy R. Chapel, who was born July 4, 1832, daughter of Erastus and Nancy (Rogers) Chapel, of Montville, and later of Waterford, Conn. Two children have blessed their union: ( I) George Everett, born Jan. 9, 1859, graduated from the Buffalo Medical College, and then located for the practice of hits profession in Groton, Conn. He married Lena Harris, daughter of Frederick Harris,

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of New London, Conn., whose health failed, and she was taken to Colorado by her husband in the hope that the change of climate would benefit her. She died after about five years there, and Dr. Alex- ander then wedded Bessie Shaw, daughter of a minister in Colorado. The Doctor is now one of the leading physicians at Castle Rock, Colo. He has two children, Harold Everett and Arthur Edwin. (2) Clarence Edwin, born Feb. 13, 1868, is located in Yankee, Colo., where he has been for the last twelve years interested in mining. He married Alona Arnold, of Colorado.

Fraternally Mr. George W. Alexander is a mem- ber of Oxoboxo Lodge, No. 116, F. & A. M., of Montville, and of the O. U. A. M., of Montville. He is a faithful member of the Uncasville Metho- dist Church, of which he has served for about twenty years as steward and trustee. His wife is also an active member of the same Church, and belongs to its Ladies Social Union. Until 1902 Mr. Alexander was a Democrat, but in that year he joined the ranks of the Republican party. For one term he served as justice of the peace.

Erastus Chapel, father of Mrs. George W. Alexander, was born in Montville, in April, 1792. He was a farmer by occupation, and carried on that occupation in his native town for a number of years, removing then to Waterford, Conn. He died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Alexander, June 24, 1882. His wife, Nancy Rogers, was a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Howard) Rogers: she died July II, 1832, aged thirty-seven years. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: Eliz- abeth, who died young; James, who married Jeru- sha Smith ; Henry, who married Susan Stoddard : Mary, who married Hiram Smith ; Maria, who mar- ried Thomas Wheeler ; Hiram, who married Susan Maynard; Nancy, wife of George W. Alexander : and Martha, twin to Nancy, who died young.

Erastus Chapel was a descendant in the fifth generation, through Guy, Richard and John, of Wil- liam Chapel, who appears an inhabitant of New London about 1653. In 1667 he was associated with William Peake in the purchase of various lots on the West Side of the town plot, which they divided be- tween them. Mr. Chapel's residence was on the Cohanzie road, on what is now called "Cavalry Farm." His wife's name was Christian. He died in 1680-90, and his widow married in 1603 Edward Stallion, who was drowned by falling from a canoe May 14, 1703, near the Groton shore. The de scen lants of William Chapel are numerous, mans of them settling in the North Parish of New Lon don, now Montville, at a place since known as "Chapel Hill."

In maternal lines Mrs. Alexander is a descend ant in the seventh generation through Nancy cher mother ). James, James, Sr., Jonathan and Sammel, of James Rogers, who came to America from Lon don, England, in the ship "Increase," in 1035, at the age of twenty years.

THOMAS DWIGHT PHILLIPS, a veteran of the Civil war, and one of the most highly es- teemed citizens of Lisbon, comes of a good old Con- necticut family, several generations of which have resided in the town of Plainfield, Windham county.

Asa Phillips, his great-grandfather. made his home in Plainfield, and from there enlisted in the Revolutionary service. Previous to the war of the Revolution he served as an ensign in the loca militia, his commission being signed by Gov. Jon- athan Trumbull, and it is now a much prized pos- session of Thomas D. Phillips.

Charles Phillips, son of Ensign Asa, was born in Plainfield Oct. 11, 1774, and his entire life was passed in his native town. By trade he was a mill- wright, and he followed that occupation in connec- tion with farming. Nature had endowed him with considerable mechanical ingenuity, and he was able to handle alinost any kind of tools and machinery. He attained the advanced age of eighty-two years. and died generally mourned by all who knew him. His wife. Sabra Chesebrough, was born Nov. 23. 1777, in Stonington, a daughter of Samuel Chese- brough, a soldier in the Revolution. Both Mr. and Mrs. Phillips belonged to the Plainfield Congrega- tional Church. Their children were: Jesse C. and Deborah (who married Amos Burdick, and resided in Plainfield).

Jesse C. Phillips, son of Charles, was born in Plainfieldl, Oct. 10, 1800, and he made that town his lifelong home. Brought up on a farm, it was but natural that he should continue that work in manhood. U'ntil a number of years after his mar- riage he lived on the home place, and then pur- chased a farm near Plainfield street, whither he re- moved. He was a good business man and practical farmer, and being thrifty and industrious accumu- lated no small property. His political views coin- cided with the principles of the Democratic party, and he held a few of the town offices. He attended the Congregational Church. He married Amanda Brown, who was born June to, 1807. in Giroton, Conn., survived her husband many years, and hed in Plainfield. Eight children blessed their rmon. namely : Samuel C., born March 5. 1827. is ummal - ried and resides in Sterling, Conn., where He is ch gaged in farming : Mary F., born 1ch 2. 1830. 1S the widow of George E. Howard, and festes .It Quinebang, Conn .: Ines Maria, bien April 2, 1832. married Ira F. Kunball, and tosided tiret in South Dakota, and Later in Massa, where she Charles I. Barstow, and sounds is i Ile Gordon, and now resides in Cheasy IN chiave Thomas Dwight was born Vos 2 1h3g H rot E. born March 5. 1812. married Sommer Maynow. 1852, married Thomas Henius, and di lin Vw- ark. New Jersey.

Thomas Dwight Phulhps was born in Primofield.

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and received his education in the district schools, and in one term's attendance at Plainfield Academy. His acquaintance with farm work began at an early age, and when fifteen he began work for a neigh- boring farmer, hiring out for six months at $6 per month. His wages went to his father until he was eighteen, when he bought his time. He was work- ing as a farm hand in Plainfield when he enlisted in the Union army, Dec. 24, 1863, "for three years, or until the close of the war." Shortly after his en- listment he was sent to Baltimore, where a battalion was located, and the following spring a regiment was formed, Mr. Phillips being a member of Com- pany L, Ist Connecticut Cavalry. They were sent to the front, and their first engagement was at Craig's Church, Va., May 5, 1864, when Company L lost thirty-seven men. From that time until the war ended the regiment participated in the follow- ing battles and skirmishes: Todd's Tavern, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Meadow Bridge, Hanover Court House, Ashland (Ist), Roanoke Bridge, Ream's Station, Gaines Mills, Yellow Tavern, Haines Shop, Smith's Store, Strawberry Hill. Cold Harbor, Nottaway Court House, Stony Creek, Summit Point, Kearneysville, Oppequan Creek, Mount Royal, Winchester, Fish- er's Hill, Ashland (2d), Cedar Creek, Back Road, Woodstock, Waynesboro, Hooper's Farms, Five Forks, Jetersville, Sailor's Creek and Appomattox. The regiment was assigned to the division com- manded by the lamented Gen. Custer. Mr. Phillips was a member of that general's bodyguard at the execution of Mrs. Surratt, one of the Lincoln con- spirators. The regiment was mustered out of serv- ice Aug. 2, 1865 and Mr. Phillips returned to Con- necticut. Locating in Norwich, he engaged in the boot and shoe business in a store room located on what is now lower Broadway. After eleven pros- perous years in this line he purchased a grocery store in Greeneville, which he conducted for nearly seven years. He proved himself the possessor of remarkable business ability, and during the years he was a part of the commercial world of New Lon- don county accumulated a substantial property. In 1882 he purchased his present farm of 140 acres, then known as the "Deacon Reuben Bishop farm," and he is now engaged in general farming and dairying, proving himself fully as capable a farmer as he was a merchant.

On May 27, 1867, Mr. Phillips was married, in Preston, Conn., to Mary A. Lucas, who was born in London, England, Jan. 19, 1842, daughter of William and Mary (Evans) Lucas. By trade Will- iam Lucas was a book-binder. He came to this country when his only child was but six years old, and he and his wife spent their remaining years in Norwich. To Mr. and Mrs. Phillips was born the following family: Alonzo Dwight, born Aug. 27, 1868, was a blacksmith, and died in Baltic at the early age of twenty-six; Jesse C., born June 24, ]

1870, was married, Oct. 18, 1900, to Lottie Eagles, and they reside in Sprague, where he is engaged in farming; William M., born Jan. 13, 1872, is a farmer in Lisbon, and was married Feb. 22, 1896, to Sarah Lindell, who has borne him three children, Lloyd, George and Helen L .; Dora Belle, born Aug. 5, 1873, was married Dec. 20, 1893, to Calvin D. Bromley, present town clerk of Lisbon, and they have three children, Mildred Irene, Calvin D., Jr., and Theodore Phillips; Alice May, born Aug. I, 1875, was married June 28, 1898, to Benjamin F. Hull, a mail clerk in Providence, R. I .; George Custer, born Jan. 2, 1877, resides at home; Fred- erick A., born Nov. 15, 1880, learned the trade of machinist in Providence.

In politics Mr. Phillips is a Democrat, and he has served acceptably on the board of selectmen, the board of relief and the school committee. He was one of the charter members of Sedgwick Post, No. I, G. A. R., at Norwich. While engaged in business in Norwich Mr. Phillips was a member of the East Main Street Methodist Church, and for seven years was secretary and treasurer of the Sun- day-school, during which time he never was absent a single Sunday. Mrs. Phillips was also a member of that church, and has always been her husband's assistant in his work. They are among the most highly esteemed people in the town, and are popular socially.

HOWARD A. EDGCOMB, one of the enter- prising young men of Groton, was born in Mystic, Conn .. Aug. 14, 1869. He spent his boyhood days, until he was five, at Poquonock Bridge, and after that was at Eastern Point, Edgcomb House, attend- ing public school there, and at Groton village. When sixteen years of age he went to work at the Brain- erd & Armstrong silk mill, where he continued two years, and then clerked for James Hislop & Co., dry goods merchants, for a year, after which he was with Payne & Tinker for two years. In Sep- tember, 1888, he enlisted in the U. S. Cavalry, and went to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., U. S. Cavalry training station. Being a musician he was attached to the 3d U. S. Cavalry Band at Fort Clark, Texas, where he was discharged April 23, 1889, with honors.

Returning to Groton, Conn., in May, 1889, Mr. Edgcomb engaged with S. Wechsler & Bros., in Brooklyn, N. Y., and remained a year, after which he went to New London, as manager of the dry goods department of W. E. F. Landers & Co., this continuing for five years, until the firm discontinued business. For the following two and one-half years he conducted a clothing company in New London. On April 1, 1898, he commenced handling clothing and men's furnishings, doing merchant tailoring in Mechanics Hall building ; on Sept. 12, 1900, he removed to his present location on Thames street. On Dee. 22, 1902, his place of business was de-

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stroyed by fire, but he resumed business March 7, 1903, and is' as prosperous as ever, so energetic is he.

On May 28, 1892, Mr. Edgcomb was married to Nellie, daughter of William and Jane ( Nichols) Whiting, of Mystic. One child was born to them, Viola, on July 16, 1893. Mrs. Edgcomb died Sept. 3, 1896. On March 8, 1898, Mr. Edgcomb was mar- ried to Helen, daughter of Henry B. and Josephine (Starr) Allen, of Groton, Conn. One child, Allen Ashbey, was born Feb. 12, 1901, a smart little fel- low, who is the pride of their hearts.

Mr. Edgcomb is a member of Union Lodge, No. 31, F. & A. M., in which he holds office ; Fairview Lodge, No. 101, I. O. O. F., of which he has been financial secretary two years, and has passed through the principal chairs of the lodge; the Knights of the Maccabees; the N. E. O. P .; and Groton Conclave, No. 382, Improved Order of Heptasophs. He is auditor of town accounts, a member of the fire district committee, and has been a Republican in politics all his life.

GEORGE N. HOLMES, a retired agriculturist of Griswold, who died in Willimantic, at the home of his son, Asher B., June 10, 1904, throughout his long and useful life evinced remarkable power of adaptability as to occupation, and made an unquali- fied success of his work in various lines-first as master of a merchant craft between New York and Boston and the West Indies ; at different times as a stonemason ; and finally as an extensive farmer and stock raiser. He also prominently identified himself with the public affairs of his locality. A large ca- pacity for work, great physical and mental endow- ments, energy, self-reliance, and a fearless out- spoken manner-traits which thus gave him his mastery over circumstances and environments-he undoubtedly inherited from his long line of hardy New England ancestors.

(I) John Holmes, a native of Scotland, who landed at Plymouth, Mass., in 1632, is the first American representative of this branch of the Holmes family.

(II) Nathaniel Holmes, son of John, married and had several sons, among them Elisha. The fam- ily were residents of Plymouth.

(111) Elisha Holmes was reared in Plymouth. and upon reaching manhood made his home in that place. There he married a Miss Sarah Bartlett. and they had several sons.

(IV) Elisha Hohes (2), son of Elisha, was also a resident of Plymouth, where during his ma- ture life, he owned large tracts of land. For all occupation he engaged in the mercantile business. and he also became the possessor of a large number of ships and several warehouses. He married Sarah Bartlett, and they had a large family of children, most of the sons becoming seafaring mien.

(V) Samttel Holmes, son of Elisha (2), was born in Plymouth, Mass., in 1722. When a young

man he settled in New London, where he probably spent the rest of his life, dying in 1774. He married Lucretia Bill, and they had cleven children : Jabez, Elisha. John, Samuel, Nathan, Sarah. Lucretia, Abby. Mary, Anna, and Prudence. He was a man of considerable means, and upon his death made his wife the executrix of his will, leaving his property to her and his daughter Prudence, who was unable to provide for herself. The will is recorded in New London.

(VI) Jabez Holmes, grandfather of George N .. a man of thrift, and considerable note. made his early home in Groton, Conn. Later he settled in the North Parish. New London, now Montville. Conn., where he became the possessor of large tracts of land. Here he also spent his last days, and died. He married a Miss Harris, and they had six chil- dren : Nathan, proprietor of the "Thames Hotel." of Norwich, who died in that place : Charles, who carried on the Montville homestead, and died there : Harris, who died of yellow fever in his young man- hood : Stephen, during his young manhood a mitsi- cian, who later went South and was never afterward heard of: Bartlett, who is mentioned below : and Gilbert. first a farmer near Syracuse. N. Y., whe later returned to Connecticut, and died at Water- ford.

(VII) Capt. Bartlett Holmes, prominent in the military affairs of his State, and a soldier in the war of 1812, who in civil life directed his energies ter the development of the agricultural resources of his farm in Griswold, was both born and bred to a position of some means and high respectability. His birth occurred in Montville, Conn. Oct. 8. 1,80. and there under the refining influences of a good home he remained until he was sixteen years old. lle then went to live with his uncle, Robert Stam- ton, a prominent agriculturist of Preston, no Girls wold, Conn. Here he remained for a number of years, assisting in the management of the farm. When the war of 1812 broke ont. as a loval Ameri can citizen, he enlisted under Caps. Joseph Lester. and went to the front as sergeant. He was on duty at New London, Groton, and Ang. 9. 1814. . 1 Stonington Point, winning for himself the respect and confidence of his superiors by Ins conscientious performance of his duties. Viter the war he Te turned to the home of his nele im Preston where he resumed his work as assistant fam damage. and contained as such until 1820, when les ande died. Then, falling herr to the property. be assumed the entire management. The place was a well in- proved tract of one hundred actes, since fourth of a mile west of Pachang Pond, and here he spent the rest of his Life carrying on a successful and prall able industry A man of mtelligence, who attended strictly to his duties, he was looked upon a 00 0 the progressive founders of his vimiss 1. 1800, he married Meres Stanton Innkalt Twh married Dee 30. 11. I mentia ( tes, who when

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May 4. 1814. By the first marriage there were eleven children : Harty P., born April 9, IS10, died April 15, 1815 : Alice L., born Nov. 11, 1811, died Aug. 29, 1838; Robert S., born Aug. 27, 1813, died May 15. 1814; Henry J., born May 20, 1815, re- sided at Saybrook, Conn., and lived to the advanced age of eighty-four (his son Daniel is now a mer- chant in that place) ; Mary Ann, born Dec. 8, 1817, married Thomas Wilcox, of Griswold (now de- ceased), and she resides with her brother George N. ; Harris S., born Sept. 10, 1820, married a Miss Burdick, and, after her death, Marilla Gates, re- sided in New London, and died about 1881 ; George N. is mentioned below ; Margaret, born July 22, 1825, who now makes her home with George N., is the widow of George Bacon, of Middletown, Conn. : Maria L., born Jan. 30, 1828, married Ran- som Perry, and resides in Meriden, Conn. ; Sarah W., born Jan. 27, 1831, became the wife of James B. Palmer, of Canterbury, Conn., and is deceased ; Joseph, born Jan. 9. 1836, died July 1, 1836. Capt. Holmes was a born leader, and as a man of marked military ability served as captain of the Fifth Com- pany, 18th Regiment, Third Brigade, Connecticut State Militia, from the close of the war of 1812 until Aug. 8, 1820, when, owing to ill health he resigned. As an influential Democrat he held at different times several local offices, filling them with efficiency and fidelity. Both he and his wife were among the leading members of the Jewett City Bap- tist Church.

(VIII) George N. Holmes was born in Gris- wold, Conn., Feb. 2, 1823, and there on the family homestead grew to manhood. In the district schools of his neighborhood he procured his education, which he supplemented by extensive reading and intimate contact with the world. As a youth he was attracted to the life of a seaman, and at the age of nineteen he hired out as a hand before the mast, and went on a whaling voyage. So well satisfied was he with his experience, that upon his return at the end of the year, he engaged as mate on a mer- chant craft, making trips between New York and Boston and the West Indies. By strict attention to business and economy he was enabled in a short time to purchase an interest in the boat, and he rose to the position of master. Doing a large and ex- tensive business he spent altogether twelve years in this service. Later this brig, known as the "Champion," with all on board, was lost at sea. Eye trouble was the cause of his early retirement from seafaring: During these years he purchased the family homestead in Griswold, and there he often went for rest and recreation, and at the end of his service, made it his home for a while. Later he sold this property and moved to what was known as the Geer place, in the same town. On that attractive old farm he engaged in general agri- culture and stock raising for about twenty years. Taking up the work with energy and enthusiasm. and managing it with discretion and the strictest

attention to details, he made the place produce large and valuable crops, and handled some of the best stock in the market. Deciding later to extend his industry, he purchased, in 1888, of Mrs. Hinkley, the Capt. Boardman place, a splendid 300-acre tract in Griswold. This farm he worked with even better results than his previous ones, and for many years made a specialty of the dairy business. He always conducted his farming on a large scale and won the reputation of carrying on the most extensive indus- try of his kind in the vicinity. His wife was a great assistance to him in his work, and while on the Geer farm she engaged extensively in the poultry busi- ness, raising at one time two hundred and ten tur- keys besides other fowls. Besides attending to farm- ing Mr. Holmes found time to follow his trade as a stonemason, and thirty-eight cellars and thirty-six wells in the vicinity of Griswold have been walled bv him. Some time before his death he turned over the management of his large farm to his son, but, having been a hard working man all his life, he found it difficult to sit down with folded hands, and so busied himself about the place.

On Nov. 27, 1848, Mr. Holmes married Amanda R. Palmer, who was born May 27, 1828, daughter of Asher and Joanna ( Ames) Palmer. To the time of her death, which occurred Nov. 9, 1866, she was a faithful helpmeet and a devoted wife and mother. In religious circles she was highly es- teemed, and belonged to the Jewett City Baptist Church. On April 20, 1869, Mr. Holmes married Althea T. Green, daughter.of John Edson and Mary (Geer) Green, and granddaughter of John and Polly (Downing) Green, of Preston, the grand- father having served in the war of 1812. Mrs. Holmes died Feb. 20, 1903. Mr. Holmes's children, six in all, were by his first marriage: (I) Asher Bartlett is the well known proprietor of the paper and paint store in Willimantic. (2) Mary Louise, born in 1850, married Robert Sherman, of Paw- tucket, R. I., and they have had four children : Frank R., Charlotte L., Silas Eber, and George (who died at the age of seven years). (3) George James, born in 1854, is now a practicing physician in New Bri- tain, Conn., where he makes a specialty of diseases of the ear, eye, nose, and mouth. (4) Edward Cogswell, born in 1857, died in 1859. (5) Sarah Amanda, born in 1859, married James Howard, of Niantic, Conn., and they have two children: Sarah L., and Frederick. (6) William Palmer, who con- ducts the home farm, married Rose C. Ford, of Willimantic, and they have two children: Harry Ford and Florilla Amanda.

Mr. Holmes was throughout his life a decidedly positive character, never having failed to exert a strong influence among his circle of acquaintances and the community in which he lived. In politics a Democrat, he served his party very efficiently as assessor for six years, registrar of voters for nine years, and was for many years a member of the board of relief, filling the place with fidelity and

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marked ability. As an agriculturist he made it a point to keep himself in touch with all progres- sive movements along his line of work, and both he and his wife were leading members of the Grange, having served for a considerable time as officers. She belonged to the Jewett City Baptist Church, of which he was a regular attendant. Both occupied a high social position, and had many warm friends in their vicinity. Mr. Holmes was ill but about ten days when death claimed him, and his remains were laid to rest in Pachaug cemetery in Griswold.

EUGENE ATWOOD, president of the Atwood Morrison Machine Co., which concern has the largest manufactory of silk machinery in the world, has attained an enviable place in the business world. In his youth he became associated with his father in the work, and he has gained a thorough and com- prehensive knowledge of the business in the most practical way-that of actual experience-in asso- ciation with men who had made it a life study. He is of the third generation in his family to have been interested in the manufacture of silk and silk ma- chinery.

William Atwood, his grandfather, was one of the pioneers in the silk industry in the United States, not alone manufacturing the silk, but also cultivat- ing the silk worms and handling the raw material from the cocoon to the finished article. He was one of the six men who organized the celebrated Mansfield Silk Company in 1829. His wife in her maidenhood was Irene Hartshorn. They were both descended from early Colonial families in Massa -. chusetts.

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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 188

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