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 196

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 196

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ALBERT A. FOURNIER. A striking ex- ample of what can be accomplished by a thorough- going and energetic young man is afforded in the career of Albert A. Fournier, proprietor of the Troy Steam Laundry at Norwich. With scarcely any educational advantages he has achieved stic- cess in his chosen work and ranks among the lead- ing men in his line in the State.

Mr. Fournier is a native of Canada, and a son of Moses and Domitille ( Mongean) Fournier, a record of the family being found elsewhere. Albert A. Fournier was born Sept. 8, 1863, in Canada, and his early boyhood days were spent there. He had little or no opportunities for education, what he has gathered in the way of schooling having been ac- quired by observation and self study. At a very early age he was put to work, and remained in Can- ada until the age of thirteen, when he came to the United States, and located at Springfield, Mass. There he was employed in a needle factory, remain ing about three years, and then, in company with his brother. Alexander, engaged in the laundry busi- ness, at Springfield, under the name of Fournier Bros. They continued in business successfully to

gether for a time, when the elder brother sold out to Albert A., the latter conducting the business alone for one year, when he took advantage of a good offer to dispose of it. He then settled at Norwich, and in 1890 established the Troy Steam Laundry at his present location on Water street. When Mr. Fournier began business in Norwich all his work was done in one room, 40 x 40 feet, and he hired only one helper. The business has increased from the first, and now five rooms of the Lucas block are utilized, steady employment being given to sixty people. The machinery is modern and thoroughly up-to-date. Five wagons are constantly in use, and

the local agencies extend as far east as the city of Providence-in which place Mr. Fournier has agen- cies-and as far north as Worcester and Blackstone. Mass., in both of which places he has agents. He makes it a rule to turn out only high-class work. and by strictly fair and honest dealing, together with a winning personality, he has succeeded in building up a business which is by far the largest in Norwich, and second to none in the State.

Politically Mr. Fournier is not bound by party ties, voting for what he considers the best inen and issues. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. a charter member of the Norwich lodge of Elks. and a charter member of the local Aerie of Eagles. Mr. Fournier is an enthusiastic horseman and very fond of a good animal. He owns one of the best driving horses in the city of Norwich.

ARBA BROWNING, now residing on his rugged 150-acre farmi in the town of Griswold. one- half mile south of Pachaug. possesses that deter- mination of character and capacity for hard work which are bound to make a mian succeed in spite of the most trying obstacles. He is a born leader, and. though still young. has come to the front in his farming and in the public affairs of his section. His capacity for great achievements he has undoubtedly inherited, coming as he does on both the father's and mother's side, from some of the oldest and best New England stock.

(1) Nathaniel Browning is of record in Rhode Island as early as 1645. purchasing Oct. 23d of that vear a dwelling house and eight acres of land in Warwick. In Itkxo he purchased a "quarter of an acres" in Portsmouth, and between these dates he is of record as buying and selling property, He was made a freeman in 1655. He married Sarah. daughter of William Frechorn, "and by him brought from England." His children were . William and Jane.

( 11) William Browning married (first) Rebecca Wilbur, and (second) Sarah . and both he and his wife Sarah died in 1730. He lived in Portsmonth and South Kingston. His children were : Samuel, born tith mo, o da 1688: Hannah 5 mo. 16 da. 1601. William. - mo 2) da 1003 : Sarah. 2 110. 10 da 100g ; and John

(111) John Browning, born March 3. 1606

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

(o. s.), married, April 21, 1721, Anna, daughter of Jeremiah and Sarah (Smith) Hazard, and lived in South Kingston. Mr. Browning died in 1777, and his wife, who was born in 1701, in 1770. Their children were: Thomas, Jeremiah, Hannah, Sarah Elizabeth, John, Ephraim, Martha, Ann, Mary Abby, and Eunice. Of this family Thomas married Mary Browning; and Jeremiah, Ruth Browning. John was born Nov. 15, 1742; and Ephraim, Sept. 20, 1746. Mary Abby was married to Robert Cham- plain ; Sarah Elizabeth, to Samuel Stanton ; Martha, to Samuel Powers; Hannah, to Robert Frink ; Eunice, to Ged Clark ; and Ann, to John Browning.

(IV) John Browning (2), born Nov. 15, 1742, married (first), Feb. 28, 1765, Mary Davis, who died July 5, 1776; he married (second) Aug. 3, 1777, Eunice Williams, who was born Dec. 25, 1753, and died April 15, 1816; and he married (third), Jan. 12, 1817, Elizabeth Boss, of East Greenwich, Rhode Island. His children were: Jedediah, born Sept. 4, 1767; John, born Oct. 20, 1770; George Hazard, born July 7, 1779 (died April 26, 1795) ; Mary, born June 1, 1781 ; Eunice, born June 4, 1783 ; Avery is mentioned below ; Jesse, born Aug. 31, 1792; and George Williams, born Aug. 10, 1796.

(V) Avery Browning, grandfather of Arba, born in Exeter, Rhode Island, Feb. 8, 1786, married July 17, 1808, Mary, daughter of Peleg Arnold, and had the following children : Arnold, born May 27, 1810, married Amy James, and resided in Pontiac, R. I. His children live in Providence. Hiram, born Oct. 6, 1816, married Prudence Barnes, and lived in Preston, Conn., where his widow and grandson Otis now reside. Beriah H. is mentioned below. Eunice, born Dec. 27, 1824, died Feb. 6, 1831. Clark, born March 10, 1829, died in 1892; he mar- ried Lydia Reynolds, and lived in New Bedford, Mass., where his widow now resides. Mr. Brown- ing followed farming for an. occupation, and in March, 1834, purchased a place in Griswold, Conn., where he carried on this industry for many years. He finally sold his property and moved to Preston ; and he later resided in Norwich, with his son. He was a man of considerable means, and was consid- ered one of the most successful agriculturists of his section. Prominent in public affairs he held many town offices, and represented his place in the State Legislature for some time. He was well informed upon all public questions and modes of business, and was often asked to draw up legal documents. In religious sentiment he was a Baptist ; in politics, an ardent Democrat of the old type. He died on the Plain Hill farm in Norwich, May 9, 1865.

Hon. Beriah Hopkins Browning, for years one of the leading citizens of Griswold, was born Sept. 13, 1819, and he died May 24, 1890. He was a man of great force of character and clear discernment, possessing what might be termed a legal mind, which rendered him capable of performing public duties easily and well without in the last neglect-

ing his business as a merchant or farmer. He was born in Exeter, Rhode Island, and he remained un- der the beneficent influences of a refined home un- til he was twenty-one years old. By regular attend- ance upon the common schools and studious habits, he laid the foundation of a solid education, which he later perfected by extensive reading and con- tact with the world. His first important business venture was as a merchant, in Brooklyn, Conn., where he located about the time of his marriage in 1842. It was a success from the start, and he con- tinued it for three years. Preferring, however, an agricultural career, in 1845 he moved to the town of Griswold, and began farming. A short experi- ence proved that he had found the work for which both nature. and education had fitted him, and he remained here until 1850. At this time as his father needed his services upon the Plain Hill farm, where he was residing in Norwich, he moved . there and assisted in the management of the place. After a while he took full charge of affairs, and finally came into possession of the property. Altogether he spent about sixteen years of profitable work here, greatly improving the place, and deriving for him- self a considerable income. The year following the death of his father, in 1866, he sold this farm and purchased the one in Griswold, where his son Arba now resides. On this picturesque old place he put in many years of hard, yet profitable labor, and here he resided until his death.

On Nov. 21, 1842, Mr. Browning married Sarah Elizabeth Campbell, daughter of Bonaparte Camp- bell, and they had nine children : (1) Joseph B., born .Nov. 18, 1843, received more than the ordinary edu- cation, traveling extensively, making at one time a trip abroad, finally settled as a practicing physician at Havana, Ill., and later in Kansas City, Mo., where he died Dec. 9, 1893. He married Lucy Harpham and they had three children, Frank (now deceased), Mabel and Jessie. (2) Frank, born Nov. 21, 1847, died in Griswold, Conn., April 22, 1869. (3) Lucinda, born Dec. 13, 1851, died Dec. 13, 1854. (4) Sarah Elizabeth, born April 2, 1854, married Simon Brewster, of Griswold. (5) Martha, born July 27, 1856, married (first) Nov. 28, 1888, Charles B. Terry and after his death, Samuel A. Gardner, of Griswold, Conn. She has no chil- dren. (6) Ellen, born June 29, 1859, married An- drew A. Adams, of Lisbon, Conn., and they have no children. (7) Arba is mentioned below. (8) Mary A., born Aug. 13, 1865, married Allen B. Burdick, of Preston City, Conn., and they have three children, Ruth, Beriah and Charles. (9) Ralph, born April 26, 1869, graduated from the Baltimore Medical College, and is now a practicing physician at Myersville, Md .; he married Ada Har- ris, and has two children, Maud and Avery. B. H. Browning, exceedingly prominent in the public af- fairs of his section, served with marked efficiency as justice of the peace for over thirty years, and his legal knowledge was remarkable for a man not

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

trained to law. During his service he was often entrusted with the settlement of important estates. In 1873 he represented his place in the State Legis- lature, and so general was the satisfaction that he gave, that in 1878 he was earnestly requested to accept the nomination as State Senator for the Eighth district. This honor, however he declined, but as a Democrat he was long a leader in local polities.

Arba Browning was born Oct. 31, 1862, and was reared for the most part in the town of Gris- wold, moving with his parents to the farm on which he now resides when a very small boy. Trained to farm work, upon reaching manhood he decided to make that the main business of his life, and after the death of his father he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the home place, where he has sinec followed his pursuit. The farm is a large one, and more wild and rugged than others in the vicinity, but Mr. Browning by persistent effort has subdued some of the rougher places, and is making more than an ordinary success of his work. He has a splendid dairy, owning as many as twenty cows, some of the best breed, which bring in a large in- come.

On Sept. 4, 1890, Mr. Browning married Hattic L. Bromley, daughter of Charles Bromley, of Lis- bon, and they have had two children, Frank D., born Dee. 4, 1892; and Sybil, Aug. 30, 1898.

Mr. Browning, like his predecessors, is a Dem- ocrat in politics, and has proved himself an efficient public servant. For three years he served on the board of selectmen, exercising much wisdom and ability in his dealings with the affairs of the town ; and for eight years he acted as justice of the peace, at the end of that period declining to serve longer, though urged by townsmen to accept another term. Socially he is a favorite with all who know him ; and fraternally he belongs to the A. O. C. W. of Jewett City, and Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 75. F. & Λ. Μ.

The CAMPBELL family, of which Arba Brown ing's mother was a member, descends from a Scotchman, who came to this country when a song man, married and had several children, among them James Campbell, born about 1725. He resided in Voluntown, Conn., where he was engaged in farming. He married Dinah MeMain, and they had several daughters and three sous: Alen, James and John. He was an industrious, economical m.in. successful in business, lived comfortably, and ais noted for his hospitality. Both be and his wife he- longed to the Presbyterian Church, where they is erted a large influence. He died about 1810, and she some years later in her eighty sixth year.

Dr. Allen Campbell, son of James and great- grandfather of Arba Browning, was born in Vol untown, Conn., about 17 50. received his early chu cation in the common schools, and later stu lied med icine with Dr. Perkins, a skillful physician of Plum field. He acted as surgeon for the Colomal ings

. in the Revolutionary war, and was with Gen. Sul- livan's Army at the battle of Newport. R. 1. After the war he practiced medicine in Voluntown, where le had a large and lucrative patronage up to the time of his death, which occurred March 6. 1829. He married Sarah Kinne, who was born in 1759. daughter of Ezra Kinne. of Preston. now Griswold. She died in 1834. Their children were: John. Sarah, Rowena, Lucinda. Harvey. Ezra. Daniel Lcc, Bonaparte and Alpha R. Dr. Campbell. a social, genial man, was exceedingly popular with his townsmen, and was often honored with public office, holding at different times all the ingertant ones. He very efficiently represented Veluntown in the State Legislature. While acting as justice vi the peace, which office he held for some tihe. his services were in demand for the performance of marriage ceremonies. As a Presbyterian he was licensed to preach.

Bonaparte Campbell, son of Dr. Allen and grandfather of Arba Browning, was named by his father in sport after the French General, who at the time of the child's birth was at the height of his career. In the common schools of Apluntown he received his education, and on his father's farm plenty of training for his life work. In 1820 he left Voluntown and moved to Oneida counts. ... Y. After about thirty years, in 1856, he returned to Connecticut, and in Griswold purchased the' Lord place, a large I40-acre tract. where he lesdel until his death. On Nov. 11. 18to. he jurnal Sarah Brown, daughter of Nathan Bajwa. 1 . 1 captain of North Stonington. She died, and m 1847 he married Mrs. Maria Cook Campbell, who died in 1800. By the first marriage there were se children who lived to maturity, but all are way of ceased : Allen By John 1 ... Sarah E che vel Berish 11. Browning ). James 11 and Naj dro l' like his predecessors Mr. Campbell was prompt in public affair, filling several town uns wife marked ability, and in 1'S, repres nih. Call in the State Legislature. In the crisis In En- iated with Whigs. later with Reprble:0000 08 4:00 sistent Christian he was an active ml comme il member of the Baptist Church for till vero

WILLIAM DAVID BECKWITH the vers highly respected acelabiff atal dents of the town of Shopping, water we lose

11 . . 11

not

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Dr. Beckwith died in October, 1878, at Old Mystic, - while his widow survived him until 1903, when she too passed away, also at Old Mystic.

William David Beckwith was reared in the sev- eral places in which his parents lived, receiving an excellent education at Montville, at the Broadway School at Norwich, and the high school at Old Mystic. He then began to earn his own living, working in a woolen mill, and when eighteen years of age, he went to Arnold's mill at Stillmanville. In a short time he returned and worked for his fa- ther, but preferring to be in the mill, he entered one at Old Mystic. In 1881, while in the employ of the Atwood Machine Company, at Stonington, he learned the trade of a molder and from the employ of the Atwood Company, he went to that of the Wil- son Machine Company, of New London, Conn. Later, he was with the Brown Cotton Gin Company, and for two and one-half years, he lived at New London. Once more he entered the employ of the Atwood Machine Company, and remained with that concern for two years, when he was forced on ac- count of ill health, caused by a strain obtained in lifting at New London, to abandon the work in which he had engaged so long.

In October, 1887, Mr. Beckwith opened his store in Old Mystic, where he has since conducted a general merchandise business. As his volume of business has increased, Mr. Beckwith has met it, and now runs teams to Mystic, Stonington borough, Wolf Neck and Burnett's Corner districts, thus con- trolling a very large trade. His customers realize that in trading with this house, they secure hon- orable treatment, first-class goods, and that they are accommodated in every way possible.

On Ang. 20, 1879, Mr. Beckwith was married to Mary Ellen Johnson, daughter of William John- son, who was wounded at Cold Harbor during the Civil war, and died from his wounds. Thechildren born of this marriage were: Clarence William, born Feb. 13, 1884; and Mattie Haven, born Nov. 18, 1890.

While last in the employ of the Atwood Machine Company, he joined the Temple of Honor, and was made recording secretary. In addition Mr. Beck- with is a member of the A. O. U. W .; and Stoning- ton Lodge No. 26, I. O. O. F. at Mystic, this last named organization having been joined Dec. 3, 1890, and in it he ranks as a past grand. Religiously he is a member of the Baptist Church of Old Mystic, and there, as in the entire community, he is regarded with favor, and numbered as a solid, thoroughly sincere and trusted man.

BURRELL W. HYDE, teller in the Norwich Savings Society, is a descendant of one of the orig- inal proprietors of the town, and bears a name that has ever been closely interwoven with its history.

The name of William Hyde, of Norwich, of which he was an original proprietor in 1660, ap- pears first in New England at Hartford, Conn., in

1636. He was an original proprietor of that place in 1639, 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 Nor- wich, of which latter place he was frequently elected selectman, and was a man of considerable import- ance. He died at Norwich, Jan. 6, 1681. Nothing seems to have been learned of his wife. His chil- dren were: Samuel and Hester.

(II) Samuel Hyde, born in Hartford about 1637, married in June, 1659, Jane Lee, of East Saybrook (now Lyme), daughter of Thomas and Phobe (Brown) Lee. Mr. Lee left England for America in 1641, and died on the passage. Samuel Hyde was one of the original proprietors of Nor- wich in 1660, in which town he and his wife settled. He was a farmer, and had lands assigned to him in Norwich West Farms (now Franklin), 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) Jabez Hyde, born in May, 1677, married Dec. 29, 1709, Elizabeth Bushnell, born Jan. 31, 1686, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Adgate) Bushnell, of Norwich. Mr. Hyde settled in Nor- wich West Farms where he had a large tract of land. He became a wealthy farmer, was a justice of the peace, and a representative in the General Court eight sessions. He was appointed clerk of the Franklin church, and served as such for eight years. He died Sept. 5, 1762, and Elizabeth, his widow, passed away Aug. 21, 1768. Their children were: Jabez, Phineas, Joseph, Elizabeth, and Abi- gail, all born between 1713 and 1724.

(IV) Jabez Hyde (2), born Sept. 16, 1713, in Norwich West Farms, married, Dec. 8, 1736, Lydia Abel, born July 28, 1719, in Norwich, daughter of his second cousin, Benjamin Abel, of Norwich, who married Lydia Hazen. Mr. Hyde was an extensive land holder in Norwich West Farms where he re- sided. He was a magistrate of Norwich, and died March 6, 1805, in Franklin. His wife died June 25, 1803. Their children, all born between 1738 and 1762-3, were Ezekiel, Jabez. Lydia, Elizabeth, Andrew, Phebe, Solomon, Joseph, Benjamin, Dice and Ambrose.

(V) Andrew Hyde, born at Norwich West Farms, now Franklin, Oct. 2, 1748, was a farmer and settled in what is now Franklin. He repre- sented the town in the Legislature in 1818. On March 31, 1775, he married (first) Mary Tracy, born April 1. 1750. She died Dec. 8, 1804, leaving children as follows: (I) Andrew, born March 6, 1776, left home when young, and was never after- ward heard from. (2) Jude, born Oct. 3. 1777, married and settled at Bath, Me. (3) George, born Nov. 30, 1782, married Mary Walir, and died in Southport, N. Y. (4) Amasa, born Feb. 22, 1787, was the grandfather of

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GENEALOGICAL AND . BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Burrell W. (5) Rodney, born Dec. '29, 1789, married. went to New Jersey, later to Penn- sylvania, and died at Benton. (6) Lewis, born Nov. 13, 1791, a merchant and farmer, married Mary Backus, and died in Norwich. (7) Lydia, born May 19, 1793, marricd Abel Campbell, a school teacher, and removed to Illinois, where both died. (8) Lydia, born Nov. 21, 1794, who married Eleazer Southworth, moved to Elba, N. Y., where she died. After the death of his first wife, Andrew Hyde married Mrs. Edna ( Hyde) Rogers, who died Sept. 27, 1820. No children were born of this union. He died Nov. 30, 1835, at Franklin.

(VI) Amasa Hyde was a resident of Franklin, where he spent his entire life. He was a merchant, and for twenty years was postmaster of the town, also conducting a tavern, as did his father before him. This place, known as the "Hyde tavern," was one of the most popular hostelries in that sec- tion. He died Aug. 21, 1832, at Franklin. Amasa Hyde married Anna Hazen, born Jan. 7, 1786, daughter of Jacob and Abigail ( Burnham) Hazen. She survived her husband, and lived to be ninety- four years old, dying then at the home of a daugh- ter, Mrs. John H. Peck, of Norwich. They had a large family of children, of whom (1) James Hazen, the father of Burrell W., was the eldest, born March 29, I809.

(2) Abby Ann, born July 21 1811, married John Hazen Peck, a tailor by trade, but who for many years had a store at Yantic, where he died. (3) Mary Tracy, born Feb. 18, 1815, became the wife of Charles Dunlap, and located at Baltimore, Md., where he was engaged as a wholesale merchant. (4) Henrietta Francis, born May 16, 1818, married (first) William Haskins Ilyde, a grain merchant. and resided in Norwich, and after his death she married Moses Cook, whose widow she now is, and lives at Hartford, Conn. (5) Amasa Lewis, born March 29, 1820, married Huldah Chandler, of Hartford, Pa. He was in the United States Revenue Service, and was captain of the revenue cutter. "Jeff Davis," and others, but he lived retired for many years previous to his death, and died at Yan- tic. (6) Philena Jane, born March 11, 1822, mar- ried Benadam Pendleton, a cotton merchant, and for many years mayor of Natchez. Miss. She is now a widow, and still resiles there. (7) Henry Strong, born Feb. 28, 1825, was lost at sea from the "Gov. Fenner," at the age of sixteen years. (8) Samuel Nott, born April 29. 1827, married Emily Baughman, and settled in Baltimore, where he was engaged in the canning business, but he i, now liv ing retired.

( VII) James Hazen Hyde was born in Frank lin where he received a common school e location. After his marriage he located at the Hyde tavern. and there remained, conducting the Givern. t.um and store until 18 16, when he dispose of the hut 1. removed to Bean Hill. and engaged in farming and managing his extensive lan led property He was

a large land holder, owning several farms located in the towns of Franklin. Norwich and Lebanon. He was fond of blooded stock, and was a familiar figure at local fairs where he always served as mar- shal. In politics he was a Jeffersonian Democrat. The family attended the Congregational church.

Mr. Hyde marrie 1 Eunice Eliza Tracy, born Aug. 13. 1811. youngest daughter of Joshua an !! Sarah ( Payne) Tracy. Mrs. Hyde survive l her husband, who was taken from her Oct. 15. 1803. and died at Norwich Town. Nov. 28. 1885. They were the parents of seven children: (1) Martha Ann, born Jan. 29. 1832. marrie 1 ( first ) March 31, 1856, Nathan W. Bingham, (second ) July 5. 1.'). Anslow R. Lamb, (third) John O. Sherman. She resides in New York. (2) Eunice Eliza, born Feb. 28, 1834, married Cyrus Marsh, and resi les in Richmond, Va. For many years they resilel at Natchez. Miss., where he was engaged as a planter. (3) Harriet Beach, born Dec. 26. 1835. was marrie 1 March 29. 1859. to Alfred T. Perkins, an Episce- pal minister. She died Dec. 5. 1905. in Alame la. Cal., and her husband, Jan. 12. 1955. (4) Burrell W. was born Dec. 23, 1830. (5) Hetty Ann, bern July 4. 1843, died in infancy. (6) Mary Dunlap. born March 10. 1849. die 1 in infancy. (7) Virginia Kingsbury, born Aug. 20, 1851. is the wife of Will- iam Plummer, of Burlington, N. C., who is engaged in the insurance business.

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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 196

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