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 193

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 193

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he passed the remainder of his life. By occupation he was a farmer, and he also carried on a saw and g.ist mill. He was a stanch Democrat and held several of the town offices, but cared nothing for political preferment. He was a member anl clerk of the Baptist Church. His wife. Lucinda, was a daughter of Rev. Simon Shailer, of Haddam. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sisson died and were buried in North Lyme, his death occurring in 1862. and her- in 1887. Their children were as follows: (1) Henry Bliven is mentioned below. (2) Lucinda S. lives unmarried in North Lyme. (3) Simon die I at the age of two years. (4) Sarah Frances married Lewis O. Gates, a prominent farmer and tra ler of North Lyme. (5) Jonathan lives in Lyme anl is a farmer and trader.

llenry Bliven Sisson, eldest son of Henry and Lucinda ( Shailer ) Sisson, was born Jan. 11. 1834. lle attended the district school in North Lume, at the age of eighteen went to Bacon Academy, in Col- chester, Conn., and then attended the Normal School at New Britain. After his graduation for a time he taught in Lyme. Salem and Indldam. At the age of twenty-four he went into the mer- cantile business with his cousin. Capt. Charles F. Sisson. the partnership continuing for two years. In 1800 he came to Hamburg, where he was ch- gaged as a merchant until 1873. Politically Mr Sisson is not bound by party ties, but he supports the best men and issues. He was postmaster for three years, town treasurer for twenty-one years. and has also served his town as selectman, school visitor, judge of probate, and auditor of town ac- counts. He represente 1 his town in the Legisl- ture in 1873, 1870 and 1828. During the fire total he was on the committee on State Prisms, at if it time a very important committee ; and in 1875 ml 1878, he was a member of the committee on Fon- cation.

On Nov. 10. 8868, Mr. Siden mariel im - daum, Eleanor F., daughter of Jarel Ihmingen and Forilla D. Shailer. Mr. Season's mother and Mrs. Sisson's grandfather were cons Ine children were born to this mim as tell us bagel A .. born Sept 28, 1802. thed Dec 23. 1850 Louise, born Nov. 13. 1803. manel Jefferson 11 vis Bill, and the New 1. 1890 Homieha Ha. Mrs. Sisson spend thex sit men al then love at Cottage City. Mass. Vi Sison is an active man- ber of the Grange, and hermet of the Game the greatest show of working citile ever Enough of New England Ar Som Ban - having heany memberat that welt in alar gue with the exception of summer con el One warden han he half the Edge- trang. jeme.com

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zen a community can ill afford to lose. It is doubtful, indeed, if there is in all New London county another man who has so often acted in fiduciary capacities as Mr. Sisson. In his long experience in such work he has handled many thousands of dollars belong- ing to others, and no matter what the responsibility, large or small, it has been borne with conscientious fidelity. His many years of useful residence in Lyme furnishes a record marked by industry and ability in the management of his own affairs, and those incumbent upon him. The strict integrity that has characterized all his business transactions has secured for him in a high degree the warm re- gard of all with whom these various relations and interests affiliated him.

EZEKIEL HAZARD BROWNING, a highly respected and successful farmer residing on Bab- cock Hill in the town of Lebanon, Conn., comes of sturdy New England ancestry.

Nathaniel Browning, of Portsmouth, R. I., is of record as purchasing land in Warwick in 1645, and was a freeman of Portsmouth in 1655. He mar- ried Mary Freeborn, who was born in 1632, and died April 23, 1670, daughter of William and Mary Freeborn. Two children are of record as born to them : William and Jane, the latter of whom mar- ried James Sweet, and died in 1719.

(II) William Browning, of Portsmouth and South Kingstown, a freeman in 1684, married (first) Rebecca Wilbur, daughter of Samuel and Hannah ( Porter) Wilbur. His second wife's name was Sarah His children were : Samuel, Han- nah, William, Sarah and John. The father died in 1730.

(III) William Browning, of South Kingstown, was born Sept. 29, 1693, married (first) on Dec. 7, 1721, Mary Freelove, born Aug. 10, 1700, daugh- ter of Morris and Elizabeth (Wilbur) Freelove ; and second on Aug. 5, 1728, Mary, daughter of William and Dinah Wilkinson. William Browning died Feb. II, 1773. One child, William, born Nov. 28, 1724, came to the first union, and two children were born to the second : Wilkinson, July 14, 1731 ; John, July 26, 1733.

(IV) William Browning (2) married, his wife's christian name being Elizabeth.

(V) Deacon William Browning, of South Kingstown, born April 21, 1756, married Sarah Stanton, born about 1758, daughter of Samuel and Sarah ( Browning) Stanton, of Kingstown. Dea- con William Browning was one of a large family. He was a well-to-do farmer and resided at South Kingstown, R. I., until his death in 1825. His children were: William R., a farmer, resided in South Kingstown; Samuel was a manufacturer in South Kingstown, later he went to Ohio, and still later to Garden Grove, Iowa; Abial T .; George H. resided on a portion of his father's farm; Sally S. married Clark Healey, and died in South Kings-

town ; Elizabeth married Jeffrey Watson, who died in South Kingstown ; Amy married William Hull, and died in South Kingstown.

(VI) Abial T. Browning was born in South Kingstown, and reared there on his father's farm. After his marriage he located on a portion of the homestead, and there died aged seventy-five years. He was a successful farmer and prominent Whig. In religious matters. he was a member of the Bap- tist Church of South Kingstown, and was very regular in his attendance. Abial T. Browning mar- ried Hannah James, of Richmondtown, daughter of Ezekiel James. She survived her husband a day, and they were tenderly interred together at South Kingstown. The children born of this union were: William, who married Sarah Perry, and died at Narragansett Pier, was a farmer in South Kinsg- town the greater portion of his life; Ezekiel H .; Abial T., who married Mary E. Holburton, and later Sarah C. Sherman, was a farmer, and died in Warwick : Sarah S. married Stephen Foster, and died in Buda, Ill. (he was a private banker and farmer) ; Andrew J. married Harriet Clark and died in Westerly, R. I. ; Charles E., who married first Jane Hazard, and second Sarah Lillibridge, is a farmer residing in Norwich Town.

Ezekiel H. Browning was born March 28, 1825, in South Kingstown, R. I., and his life was spent there until 1859, he attending the district school during the winter seasons until he was eight- een years of age. He lived at home until his mar- riage, and then went to California, sailing from- Providence, R. I., via Cape Horn, with an organ- ized party of prospectors of sixty-five people, San Francisco being the destination. The voyage took seven months to a day. They had a rough passage, and at one time had to "lay to" for fifteen days. After landing in San Francisco, he was one of a party to make a trip to the Nevada mountains, and remained there about five months, meeting with fair success, but returning to San Francisco he soon after sailed for home via the Isthmus of Pan- ama, the homeward trip consuming fifty-two days. Upon his arrival at South Kingstown, he resumed farming upon a rented farm, and there continued for two years, and then spent seven years upon his father's farm. In March, 1859, he removed to Connecticut, locating at Willington on a rented farm. Later he came to Lebanon and rented a farm owned by Henry Throop, and worked it seventeen years, finally buying the present place known as the "Babcock" farm, a tract of seventy acres. Upon this he has made very extensive improvements and keeps about twelve cows. On Sept. 9, 1849, he was married in South Kingstown to Hannah M. Brown- ing, of South Kingstown, born Marchi 28, 1822, daughter of George Browning, and she died in 1869, leaving no children. On Jan. 1, 1870, he mar- ried Mary A. Browning, of South Kingstown, daughter of John Browning, born March 26, 1840, and died in Lebanon in 1881. On Oct. 24, 1881 he

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was married to Mrs. Mary E. Sweet, born Sept. 25, 1842, in Peacedale, R. I., widow of Dr. Jon- athan Sweet, and daughter of Daniel S. and Pene- lope (Rodman) Gould. Daniel S. Gould was a contractor in stone work. By her marriage to Dr. Jonathan Sweet, Mrs. Browning became the mother of the following children: Mary P., now wife of Allen B. Evans, of Smithfield, R. I .: Louisa, now Mrs. George B. Potter, of Peacedale, R. I .; and Job. The children of Mr. Browning by his sec- ond marriage were: Ezekiel Hazard, Jr., born Nov. 26, 1870, graduated from Natchaug high school at Willimantic, in 1892 and received instruction from private tutors, and is now a merchant at Providence, R. I .; Cecilia I., born March 21, 1872, married Walter J. Cargill, a merchant of Providence, R. 1 .. and has children, Walter Milton and. Marion Browning ; William T., born March 14, 1873, grad- uated from the Natchaug high school at Willi- mantic, in 1892, and resides in Providence, R. I. ; David C., born Aug. 27, 1874, died aged seven years. By his third marriage Mr. Browning has one son, Rowland Stanton, born July 30, 1883, who manages the farm; he was married Dec. 9, 1903, to Miss Alice B. Meech, of Lebanon.

In politics Ezekiel H. Browning is a Repub- lican, but is no office seeker. He is a member and liberal supporter of the Baptist Church, of which Mrs. Browning is also a member. Mr. Browning is most highly respected in his town, and is clearly a self-made man.

JACOB LINICUS was born May 21, 1825. in St. Mathias, Germany, and died April 11, 1903, at New London, Connecticut. Under date of Saturday. April 11, 1903, The Day of New London says :

"Jacob Linicus, one of the oldest German resi- dents of New London, died at an carly hour this morning. Mr. Linicus has been sick for nearly six months, and his condition has been very precarions for some time. The cause of his death was erysipelas.

"For nearly half a century Mr. Linicus has been a New Londoner and actively connected with the business life of the city. He was a man of sterling integrity, and his upright life won for him an en- viable name among his fellow townsmen.

"Mr. Linieus was born at St. Mathias, Ger- many, May 21, 1825. When he was twenty five years of age he came to this country, living for a while in New York City, and beginning business as a tobacconist at Welchee. N. Y. It was in 1851 that he came to New London and settled down for life. He was in business in the Aborn hall build ing, and also on the other side of the street. Later he occupied a store in State street. In 1800 h6 created the building in which his store is now will ated, the upper part of which he used as a dwelling

"In business Mr. Liniens was industrions and he achieved a large degree of shores. Some soll's ago his son, Jacob Liniens Jr., was admitted to the

partnership. Mr. Linicus' married life began about the time he settled in New London. His wife, who (lied about five years ago, was Miss Eva Korb, of New York City. He leaves four sons, Benjamin R. Linicus, Jacob Linicus and Charles W. Linicus of this city, and George A. Linicus of New York, and two daughters, Mrs. R. H. Siebler and Miss Bertha K. Linicus. Mr. Linicus was a member of Union lodge No. 31, F. & A. M."

Going more exhaustively into the biography of this most excellent and successful man, we find that he was a son of Mathias Linicus, who was born at St. Mathias, Germany, and who by trade was a decorator and painter. The death of Mathias of- curred in Germany, when he was in the neighbor- hood of sixty years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Loewenberg. died at Trier, Germany. Among the children born of this marriage were: Jacob. Philip and Nicholas.

In his boyhood days, the late Jacob Linieis was intended for the priesthood, and was educated for that purpose, but when he was within one year of ordination, he felt that he was not suite 1 for the work, and leaving the seminary, entered a large mercantile house as bookkeeper in Trier, Germany. and remained there until he was twenty -four, or for two years, he having been pursuing his studies until he was twenty-two. Naturally he was very well educated, speaking French and Green. . well as English, and was a very fine Greek and Latin scholar. However, when he Bude of Amber ica, though so well educated, he found it difficult to secure congenial employment, and the finals learned cigar making, saved his earnings apt belig't tobacco, which he took to his lodgings and made 1 to cigars, selling them himself. Still bites, hy welt to Welchee. N. Y., and being an excellent diga salesman, he made money rapidly, and was enabel to buy the cigar store of his employer the wife cess followed the other, and at last disposing of his business, and returning to New York City be with married. Desiring to secure a plegente auml well situated home, he finally schets & Nes Inden In those early days it was not easy to travel but he and his bride took boat to Fall River, Mais Chance to Springfield. Massa, and Varwiele when the came to New London

city they were impressed with the the hills back of less delighted with the place bos estaurant me = Bank street to another location of link nem

que halt toni. the present are there

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Jr. Mr. Linicus was a member of St. James Epis- copal Church, of New London, of which he was a vestryman and teacher in the Sunday school. Fra- ternally he was a member of Union lodge, No. 31, F. & A. M., of New London. He was one of the most enthusiastic Democrats, but was never an of- fice seeker.

In 1854 the late Mr. Linicus was united in mar- riage with Miss Eva Korb, who was born Feb. 8, 1834, at Frankfort, Germany, daughter of Casper and Katherine (Sattler) Korb. The marriage took place in New York, as before stated, and she died in New London. The children born of this happy marriage were: Benjamin R., born April 22, 1855, at New London, where he is now engaged as a con- tractor, married Alice Finnegan, now deceased, and has three children, Alice, Benjamin and George; Casper died at the age of five years ; Jacob, Jr., born March 5, 1859, is later spoken of more exten- sively ; Eva, born April 16, 1861, in New London, died at the age of twenty-two years, unmarried ; Charles W .. born Nov. 15, 1863, in New London, unmarried, is associated with his brother Jacob; George A., born June 5, 1865, in New London, was telegraph operator, but is now one of the park com- missioners of New York, and is unmarried ; Mar- garet F., born May 16, 1868, in New London, mar- ried Rudolph H. Siebler, a cigar dealer of New London ; Louisa A., born Nov. 7, 1870, married John A. Spencer, of Williamsport, Pa., a printer by trade, and died at New London; Bertha Korb, born Sept. 24, 1873, resides with Mrs. Siebler ; Gustave Milton died at the age of eighteen months.

Jacob Linicus, Jr., was born March 5. 1859, at New London. Until he was fifteen years of age, he attended the schools of his native place, then took up the trade of cigar making under his father in New London. From there he went to New York, and remained for six months in the cigar factory of Lichtenstein Bros. & Co., in order to gain a varied experience. Returning home he entered his father's buisness, and May 1, 1889, he was made manager, and in 1890, half owner. In 1892 he pur- chased the business of his father. On May 1, 1899, he bought out William Astheimer, on Bank street, and now manufactures about 200,000 cigars an- nually.

Socially Jacob Linicus, Jr., is a member of Mo- hegan Lodge No. 55, I. O. O. F. ; Trumbull Lodge, No. 48, Knights of Pythias; Sprague Lodge, No. 9, A. O. U. W .; and New London Council No. 1484, Royal Arcanum. Like his father he is a mem- ber of the St. James Episcopal Church of New Lon- don. He is also a Democrat, but his business inter- ests require all his attention, so that he does not enter into political affairs.

Jacob Linicus, Jr., was married May 30, 1879, to Mary Elizabeth Lee, daughter of John and Sarah Ann (Sharp) Lee, of New London. The children born to them were: Annette Lee, who graduated from the Williams Memorial Institute in 1904,

and is now a student at New England Conserva- tory of Music, Boston; and Jacob Milton. For several years Mr. Linicus was actively interested in the New London base ball team of the Connecticut State League, and served as president and general manager of the organization, and he still is deeply interested in the national game. As was his father before him, he is a very live, energetic man, quick to see business opportunities, and to profit by them. Soon after he purchased his father's business, which had been exclusively retail, he branched out as a wholesale dealer, and then as a manufacturer, and the volume of his trade is constantly increasing. His methods are honorable, and his product is es- pecially good, a fact which is appreciated by his customers. He carries several exclusive brands, and is constantly devising methods to extend his relations, and benefit both his house and his cus- tomers.

WILLIAM H. TIFT, who has long given his services in public office, is one of the best men of Jewett City, and he is an honored veteran of the Civil war. He comes of good old Revolutionary stock, his maternal great-grandfather, Nathaniel Sabins, having been one of the patriots of that great struggle.

Mr. Tift was born in Griswold, Conn., Feb. 21, 184I, a son of Nathan and Almira (Sabins) Tift. His educational advantages were confined to the public schools of his native town, and he was early apprenticed to A. LeRoy Prentice to learn the trade of carpenter. When the flag at Sumter fell all the patriotism of his nature was roused, and the day after the Baltimore riot, in response to President Lincoln's call for 75,000 volunteers, he entered his country's service, only two men in the town entering the army earlier than he. He became a member of Rifle Company A, 2d Connecticut V. I., and when his three months' term of enlistment had expired he re-enlisted, being assigned to Company H, 11th Connecticut V. I. He participated in the battles of Bull Run, Newberne and South Mountain, escaping all injury, but at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862, he re- ceived a wound in the right leg which disabled him for further service, and he was honorably discharged Aug. 17, 1863.

Returning to Connecticut he was for some time obliged to be idle on account of ill health, but as soon as he was able he began at wagonmaking, con- tinuing thus for a time, and then for ten years had charge of M. E. Lincoln's coal and lumber yard. Mr. Tift had ever been popular among his towns- men, and they, recognizing his peculiar fitness for official position, have often urged him to accept office. He has filled the offices of town clerk and treasurer, and twice has had the unique distinction of being the nominee of both the Republican and Democratic parties, a high tribute to his personality and patriotic endeavor to do his whole duty to the people. He was also clerk (one year) and treasure:

WILLIAM H TIFT

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

(two years) of the borough. In political faith he is a stanch Republican.

On Feb. 21, 1866, Mr. Tift wedded Miss Emily J. Mitchell, who was born Feb. 6, 1843, daughter of .Ezekiel and Minerva ( Maine) Mitchell ; the former died Oct. 8, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Tift had two chil- dren, Ida May and Herbert H. Ida May was edu- cated in the Griswold public schools, and the Nor- wich Free Academy, from which she graduated in 1892. She served as assistant town clerk one year, and taught school several terms in the Jewett City schools. She married Fred Brown Owen, and they now reside at Fort Wayne, Ind .; they have one child, Estella Brown. Herbert H. graduated from the Jewett City grammar school, and from the Nor- wich Business College in 1896, and is now with the American Thread Co .. Glasgo, Connecticut.

Fraternally Mr. Tift belongs to Undaunted Lodge, K. P .; Reliance Lodge, I. O. O. F., Jewett City ; and Sedgwick Post, G. A. R., Norwich. He is highly esteemed. His family are most popular socially and their home is a favorite resort of their hosts of friends.

CAPT. WILLIAM H. ALLEN, of Groton, aside from being one of the leading citizens of this part of New London county, belongs to a family which has been prominent here for generations. More extended record of the Allen or Allyn family will be found elsewhere.

Trial Allen, the grandfather of Capt. Allen, was born in Groton, and lived here all his life, pursuing a quiet, agricultural life. Among his chiklren, Griswold possesses immediate interest in connec- tion with the present sketch.

Griswold Allen, son of Trial and father of Capt. Allen, was born in that part of Groton that is now Ledyard, just cast of Gales Ferry. He married Betsey Chapell, daughter of Edward and Mary (Chapman) Chapel, of Gales Ferry. Soon after his marriage he removed to Lebanon and followed the trade of cooper for several years, and then went to Oneida county, New York, and worked at his trade at Rome. In 1834 he returned to Ledyard. working again at his trade at Gales Ferry, late in life removing to Groton. His death occurred at the age of seventy-two years, and that of his wife at the age of seventy-seven years. In politics he was a Democrat. Mrs. Allen, a good and pions woman. was a member of the Baptist Church. Their chil- dren were as follows: Sally, deceased, married \1- bert Ellsworth, of New London, a surviving dangh ter being Mrs. Benjamin Rogers : Lonisa, deceased ; Charlotte, who married James Chapman, and lives in San Francisco, California : William 11., of this sketch ; Charles, who was lost at sea; and Zebe- diah, deceased.

Capt. William 11. Allen was born (et. 0, 1820. at Lebanon, Con. He worked at farming until about sixteen years old, and then gave why to his inclination for a life on the water, going on his first

voyage as cook. aboard a fishing vessel. This ex- perience, rough as it was, fostered a natural liking. and he immediately shipped in the whaler "Robert Bowne," thus taking his first important step in a life of successful seamanship. Capt. Allen unas- sumingly bears the honor of having made the most successful voyage on record in the annals of the whaling industry." This was in 1863, when in com- mand of the good ship "Onward." he cruised in the Eastern, Yellow, Japan and Okhotsk seas, and off the California coast. On this voyage he captured 134 whales, the catch netting 6,837 barrels of oil. and 62,000 pounds of whalebone. This cargo sold for the princely sum of $417,000 of which Capt. . \1- len's share was $39.836. The voyage covered three years.

Many of Capt. Allen's voyages have been fraught with adventures strange and thrilling. which, in themselves, would make an absorbing story and a most valuable and interesting one. Dur- ing twenty-five years of his active sea-faring life of forty-five years, he was a commander, and through many imminent and unforeseen perils of the deep. through many a tempestuous gale, he has piloted his ship with the instinct and knowledge of a true sailor, and the courage necessary to a true navi- gator. He has gone out from New London and New Bedford on many whaling voyages.

Capt. Allen's worth and sterling qualities, well known at sea, cannot be hidden on land. They have been particularly manifest since leaving the sea. a number of years ago, when he settled down thea less hazardons,but quite as useful, life ashore l' matters affecting the good of Groton, Capt. AAlken is zealous and faithful. He has ably represented the town in the General Assembly for two ferns. and for twelve years served on the Groton Board of selectmen.

Fraternally Capt. Allen is a 32d degree Mint. a member of Pyramid Temple of the Most Shrine, of Bridgeport : and for ten verts he Was commodore of the famous fibboom Club, of Vy London, which numbers on its rolls over ja ment bers, and is fourteen years old.

In August. 1858. Capt Allen mariel Gongs ana, daughter of Orlindo Bailes, of Staten { { their three sons and one daughter, one son ( bacde. died aged five years. Ralph (1, is in a melhor business in New York City ! Frank W is set tar purchasing agent and one of the chrecteis in the Eastern Ship Building Company. al Kony Since retiring from the sea Capt Allery Mas Shop

become president of the Margen Save . Bank of which he was one of the Uruguayso ive lo est financial institutions in the State and he ther mitter, one of the stronggy in the printi col Allen was the commander ot the Coward de seven seas, the home post at that vous big

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Bedford. He also commanded the bark "Nile" of New London, prior to that having commanded the barks: "Harmony" of New London; "Lewis" of New Bedford ; and the "Charles Phelps" of New London, his time of service with these three vessels covering nine years, their farthest port being Hon- olulu. Since 1873 Groton has been the home of this experienced mariner, and few citizens are more universally esteemed.

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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 193

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