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 202

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 202

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Elliott, born July 15, 1872, died Jan. 15, 1873. Samuel Caleb Haley, who is associated in business with Caleb Haley & Co., married Miss Juliette Gates, and they have one child, Juliet Elizabeth.

The summer home of Mr. Caleb Haley is in Groton, and consists of about 500 acres of fine land, District No. 6. The Noank correspondent to a New London paper in a recent issue says : "Caleb Haley, senior member of the Fulton Market firm of C. Haley & Co. is enjoying a short vacation from his duties at his summer place, the extensive acreage in Brook street that bears his name. He is spending his time in supervising and assisting in the building of walls around his estate. The time he passes on his farm is enjoyable, and to him the best of recrea- tion. He is always active and through persistent work has come to possess one of the finest agri- cultural places in the state. The farm is stocked with fine breeds of cattle and other animals, poultry, etc., with also a stable of fine horses. The estate covers between 400 and 500 acres.

ALBEGENCE HYDE, in his life time for many years one of the substantial, reliable and enterprising business men of Stonington, Conn., was born at Canterbury, Conn., in 1819, and died in the borough of Stonington, Conn., in Novem- ber, 1894, aged seventy-six years.

Until he attained the age of sixteen or seventeen years, Albegence Hyde lived upon the home farm, learning the lessons of industry and economy which were to prove of such benefit to him in later life. When about eighteen, he began to learn the trade of carriage making with Mr. Tubbs, of Norwich, and by the time he was twenty-two, he had so mas- tered this trade, that he came to Stonington, and established a business which he was to carry on for fifty years, and then hand over to his son. Mr. Hyde became very prominent as the years went by and his business expanded, serving as warden of the borough for many years, and he was chairman of the school board as long as he would accept that position. He was also instrumental in securing the purchase of the first steamer for the fire depart- ment of Stonington. In politics he was a Demo- crat, and always took an active part in party mat- ters. Religiously he was an adherent of the Congre- gational Church, and took an active part in the work. Mr. Hyde married Nancy Lord Pulsifer, in Stonington, who died in April, 1901, aged sev- enty-six years, also a member of the Congregational Church. He was a member of the I. O. O. F., and Masonic lodges. Mr. and Mrs. Hyde became the parents of the following children: Albert, of California, who married Anita Stillman ; Hannah, of Stonington ; Theodore, of Stonington, a clerk in a grocery establishment, who married Addie Gates, by whom he has a son, George: Eugene Pulsifer ; Sarah Elida, of Stonington.

EUGENE P. HYDE was born in Stonington, Feb. 28, 1857, and is now one of the prosperous busi-

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ness men of Stonington, Conn. He spent his school days in Stonington, attending the schools there, and Prof. Foster's private school. As he grew older he learned carriage making with Charles Darling, at Westerly, and finished with an experi- enced carriage maker of New Haven, who was working for his father. Then, returning to Stoning- ton, he went into partnership with his father, and they conducted the business together for ten years, when the elder man died, and Eugene P. Hyde has continued alone ever since, and has built up the business to large proportions, his product finding a ready sale throughout a wide territory. He makes all kinds of light carriages and wagons to order.

On May 29, 1886, at Taunton, Mass., Mr. Hyde was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Taylor, daughter of John A. Taylor, of Old Mystic. Their children are: Frederick E. and Edmund Prentice. Mr. Hyde has been senior burgess of the borough several years and burgess for ten years, and he was for some time clerk and treasurer of the school board. He was a member of the "Pioneer" hook and ladder company for fifteen years, and has always taken a deep interest in local matters. His reli- gious affiliations are with the Baptist Church of Stonington. During the month of October Mr. Hyde goes to the forests of Maine and enjoys a va- cation hunting, he being an excellent shot, and a keen sportsman.

CHARLES COURTLAND PALMER, one of the representative farmers of Groton, is a son of Capt. Benjamin W. and Betsey ( Babcock ) Palmer, and he was born at Voluntown, Conn., Nov. 6. 1851. When he was four or five years of age, the family moved to Lisbon, and there Mr. Palmer spent his boyhood days, attending the public schools, and working upon his father's farm.

Until 1878. Mr. Palmer was successfully en- gaged in farming at Lisbon, but in that year he re- moved to Poquonock, in the town of Giroton, sel- tling on the old Morgan place, where he has since resided, engaged exclusively in farming. His farm is located very conveniently but a short distance from Poquonock station. Politically Mr. Palmer affiliates with the Republican party, but is not a poli tician, and has never desired public office, being fully occupied with his private affairs.

On Feb. 6, 1876, in District No. 5. of Grotell, Mr. Palmer married Julia, daughter of Youngs Morgan, of Groton, a full history of whom is given elsewhere in this volume in the sketch of the late C'apt. John A. Morgan, of Groton. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Palmer : Charles Bon jamin, born July 17, 1870, who spent his ho bond in Groton, and had the educational advantages of fered by the Nathan Hale grammar school in Ness London : on March 2, 1904. he was mairie Ite E. Burrows, of Groton.

Charles C. Palmer is a deacon of the Rapt 1 Church, and is one of its most of the waffle

Both he and his wife enjoy in marked degree the confidence of their fellow townsmen. and are num- bered among the leading people of Greton.

PELEG S. BARBER. for many years a promi- nent business man of New London county, and throughout his active years a useful public servant as well, passed away Oct. 3. tyor, in Westerly. Rhode Island.

Mr. Barber belonged to a family long identified with the commercial and civic life of this section. having been a descendant of Moses Barber, born in 1652, who was an inhabitant of Kings Towne. R. 1. where he was taxed in 1687. He was twice married, marrying ( second) March 24, 80012. Susanna Wait. daughter of Samuel and Hannah. |Kings Towne was divided by act June, 1722, into North and South Kingstown]. Moses Barber died in 1;33. and his widow. Susanna, died in 1758. He. it appears, was the father of seventeen children, and his descendants were quite mummerous in the towns of Washington county, R. 1. One of his sons, William, was twice married and a resident of South Kingstown: all- other son. Moses, was also twice married, and was of Kings Towne: another son. Samuel, was of Westerly and Richmond : another son, Thomas, was of Exeter, as was also Joseph. All of these left descendants in those towns.

Beleg S. Barber was born April 20. 0823. in North Kingstown. R. L., and in his youth secured a practical, thorough. common-school education. The greater part of his act ve hie he devoted to mercall- tile and manufacturing business, for sixteen years engaging in the manufacture of cotton. He caught the gold fever, and from 1850 to 1853 was in California, mining. From 1807 to 1850 be carried on the manufacture of soap in partnership with John P. Babcock, the firm name being J. 1. Babcock & Co. Mr. Barber was largely interested in the law catuck National Bank, of which he was i rector for many years, and he was president of the People's Savings Bank of Pawcatnick He also served the public in various capacities, acting as transfer of the Fire District from its organisation of the. was for sixteen years theaster of the selfie alle trici . for noms years a number of brand of Relief, and for several years las was to the bowl of other local offices trap the 1 five poly was con stiletel one of the Wire weare Sole tal comments

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

perance, and did all in his power to further the cause.

Early in life Mr. Barber married Mrs. Sarah (Gardner) Brown, of Westerly, R. I., born Aug.I, 1817, widow of John Brown, who was an inventor and was patentee of a gaff used for the masts of vessels. By her first union Mrs. Barber had four children, only two of whom survive, Mrs. Sarah H. Babcock and Mrs. Caroline B. Vose. The former is the widow of John P. Babcock (son of Charles Babcock ), mentioned above as the partner of Peleg S. Barber in the soap manufacturing business. Mr. Babcock died Oct. 25, 1892. Mrs. Barber died March 28, 1900, while Mr. Barber passed away Oct. 3, 1901, in Westerly, Rhode Island.

BYRNE. The Byrne family descends from good honest Irish stock, and the lineage can be traced back with pride on both sides for genera- tions. Joseph Byrne, father of the Byrne Brothers, born in Rush, County Dublin, Ireland, Sept. 8, 1832, married Mary McCann, who was born in Rush, County Dublin, Ireland, Aug. 8, 1835, and died at Norwich, Conn., June 2, 1885. They had chil- dren : Michael J. Byrne, born at Norwich, Conn., Nov. 22, 1856; John F. Byrne, born at Nor- wich, Oct. 26, 1859; Joseph Byrne, born at Nor- wich Dec. 25, 1861, who died at Albany, N. Y., Feb. 2, 1872; Margeret Byrne, now Mrs. William P. Butler, born at Norwich Jan. 22, 1864: Andrew Byrne, born at Norwich June 5, 1866: James Byrne, born at Norwich Sept. 1, 1868; Matthew Byrne, born at Norwich July 22, 1870, whose sad death at Appleton, Wis., on Feb. 3, 1897 (he having per- formed the night before his death), is still fresh in the memory of the theatrical world, for cut off in the height of his success, a general favorite with the public, and expert in his profession-adept with brush or pencil-his death was a great blow to his brothers and a loss to the public; and Mary E. Byrne, now Mrs. Frank Dunn, born at Norwich July 16, 1873.

The father of the Byrne Brothers was once asked why it was all of his boys took to the stage. His answer was that John was eternally dancing and tumbling, and the other youngsters just followed suit. To give a history of the stirring careers of the famous Brothers Byrne, whose names are in- dissolubly associated with the best achievements in the art of acrobatic pantomime, would require more space than can be devoted to these interesting gen- tlemen at this time. However, a brief sketch of John, the founder of the pantomime troupe, may be of interest. At the age of eight years he exhib- ited pencil drawings at the New London County Fair, for which he received premiums. His mother, wishing to give him every advantage, sent him to a drawing school, but the teacher could do nothing with him, for as soon as his back was turned young Byrne would have the scholars in an uproar, turn- ing handsprings, jumping over chairs, etc., the

teacher finally requesting his mother to keep him at home. He first brought himself before the notice of the public at amateur performances given at Breed Hall, and was regarded as a remarkably clever acrobat and dancer for one of his years. He appeared at one time in a black face song and dance with Frank ("Yank") Adams, then the champion. finger billiardist of the world. During the perform- ance Alfred McClennon, his gymnastic partner, fell from the trapeze and was seriously injured.

As a boy young Byrne worked in the John Cranston press works with his father. He later engraved pistols, and at another time painted signs along the country roads advertising patent medicine. He finally made his first appearance as a profes- sional with Seth Enos for a partner. They opened at Theal & Carton's Theatre Comique, Brooklyn, N. Y., Oct. 8, 1876, and were very successful, doing acrobatic songs and dances new to the stage at that time. They are credited with being the first per- formers to introduce twisting somersaults and other difficult acrobatic feats while dancing and keeping time with the music. They separated after the engagement and returned to Norwich, where Mr. Byrne again went to work engraving. He next accepted an engagement with the Heywood Brothers' Company, a well-known organization in those days. They traveled from town to town in wagons. He remained with this company eight months. His next engagement was with Robert Frazer, the clown. Young Byrne was engaged to do harlequin, but after rehearsing three weeks in New York the manager got frightened and left. He then opened at the old Volks Garden (now the Peoples' Theatre. New York), Sept. 22, 1879, intro- ducing his original grotesque cane dance (which made his reputation as a dancer). He next went to the Grand Central Theatre, Philadelphia, and dur- ing his engagement formed a partnership with Harry Cerina and John Leslie, to do a pantomime and gymnastic act. They styled themselves "The Three Nondescripts," and played the principal . theatres, including Tony Pastor's on Broadway, N. Y. They next joined the H. J. Sargent Com- pany. The team separated in Brooklyn, N. Y., and the subject of our sketch next joined the "Belles of the Kitchen" Company, at Philadelphia. He next joined the Charles Gardner "Tragedians of Kala- mazoo" Company at the Arch Street Theatre. Phil- adelphia. After playing some of the principal cities with this company he closed with them at Cincin- nati, Ohio, and joined hands with Andy Mckee, and together they played the principal vaudeville houses. They played for Col. John Wood at Lead- ville, Colo., three months, were burnt out at the Academy of Music in Chicago in 1880, and finally separated at New Orleans. Mr. Byrne next went with the Stowe & Richards Steamboat Circus play- ing the towns along the bayous of Louisiana. En- gagements in St. Louis, Omaha, Kansas City and Chicago followed. He then returned East and again

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joined hands with Andy McKee. They joined the Col. Robinson "Humpty Dumpty" Co., but again separated, Byrne remaining with the company, doing harlequin and introducing his specialty. He played the New England States, Canada, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. After this he played vaudeville theatres and opened with the Billy Emerson Minstrels at the Standard Theatre, San Francisco, on Sept. 25, 1882. He remained on the coast for three years, playing Portland. Seattle and San Francisco, occasionally making trips through the interior. While playing at Clinton's Theatre, in Portland, he was employed on a picto- rial newspaper. At another time he made a trip by wagon through a portion of Montana, Idaho and the Yellowstone Park, finally again joining the Emerson Minstrels, at the California Theatre, on Jan. 12, 1885. After this engagement he returned East, on account of the illness of his mother. played several engagements, and then joined the Rielly & Wood Company. ( Mr. Byrne made the lithographs for this company at the H. A. Thomas lithographic studio). He appeared at the Academy of Music, New York, at the "Grand Art Loan Ex hibit," Jan. 25, 1886, and drew "rapid crayon sketches" before the audience, and had the distinc- tion of being personally introduced to the audience by the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher.

Mr. Byrne next joined the Tony Pastor travel- ing company. Then he was engaged by Mr. Fa- rina to appear in England, and opened at the Royal Cambridge Music Hall, London, England, on Christmas Eve., meeting with great success, after- ward playing every first-class music hall in London. His season in London lasted six months, after which he returned to America and toured the United States with the Howard Atheneum Com- pany, closing with this company in Cincinnati. Mr. Byrne, accompanied by his brothers, Matthew and James (who had just finished a season with the Irwin Brothers' Circus ), sailed for England, open- ing at the Alhambra after playing several of the large halls. They opened at the Royal Aquarium. introducing for the first time on any stage their funny trick carriage and horse. Returning to Amer- ica they joined the Thatcher, Primrose & West Minstrel Company at Grand Rapids, Mich., in July, 1888, and traveled thirteen months with this com pany, touring the entire United States. The lol lowing season they joined the Rielly & Wood Com pany, and the next season they were with the Har ry Williams company. With this company the family did three acts, including Matthew's muggling act. After closing with this company John 1 Byrne organized the "Eight Bells" Company, und the management of Primrose & West, and opened for a spring tour at the Broadway Theatre, Vos wich, Conn. In May, 1801. John, Matthew and James were joined by their brothers Andi w and Michael, in this production all playing pun pil parts. "Eight Bells" opened for its regula elum

at the Broadway Theatre, at Norwich, Conn., on Aug. 20. 1891. It proved an instantaneous hit from the start, and for fourteen years it has amused. entertained and delighted thousands of the Ameri- can public, in all parts of the country. There are only a few who can point to such a record and one can name them on the fingers of one hand.

"Eight Bells" is from the pen of John F. Byrne. as are also the inventions and novel mechanism, in cluding the revolving ship, the horse and carriage. etc. "Twas a wise old gentleman who once re- marked that that which pleases long and pleases many must possess merit. It the philosopher who gave utterance to the sage remark above quote I were alive to-day he might supplement his statement by citing a few remarks wherein the value of certain things had been established by the continued favor of the public-theatrical offerings for instance When the public places the stamp of its approval upon a play the management need not worry over results. Mr. Byrne is the author and inventor of the pantomimic racing comedy "Going to the Races," which he successfully produced a few years ago. lle also owns the Hanton Brothers famous comedy "Le Voyage En Suisse," which he rewrite and produced at great expense, but during the set- son it was on the road he met with a pamint acculent while hunting (a gun shot wound in the foot) and was compelled to close the company, as it required his personal supervision.

Mr. Byrne is married, and when not on the road spends his time with his family in Norwich. Com . where he has a beaut tul home on Washington street and a summer home on the Thames river known as "kitemang." He is an ontimsasti: sportsman and spends much of his time with gun. degs and red in the woods around his home. \r Barne is still an important factor m American theatricals.

JOHN WESLEY MORGAN was, at the time of his death, the oldest merchant in the city of New London, and a representative of ene att New long- land's oldest families. He was bom Jan 19. 1820. in Salem, Com, son of Sales Morgan

(1) James Morgan was born in trojan Wales The family appears to have removed from I have haft to Bristol. England, perhaps a few vairs previous found at Rushing mgr Besten botons 10;0 On Ang oth of the latter you he man id there Mar

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was Deputy in the General Court in 1657, was nine times thereafter chosen a member of that body, the last time in 1670. He died in 1685, aged seventy- eight years. His children, all excepting the youngest probably born in Roxbury, were : Hannah, born May 18, 1642; James, March 3, 1644; John, March 30, 1645; Joseph, Nov. 29, 1646; Abraham, Sept. 3, 1648; and a daughter, Nov. 17, 1650, died soon.

(II) Capt. John Morgan, born March 30, 1645, in Roxbury, Mass., married ( first) Nov. 16, 1665, Rachel, daughter of John Dimond, and after her death, (second) Widow Elizabeth Williams, daugh- ter of Lieut. Governor William Jones, of New Hav- en, and granddaughter of Gov. Theophilus Eaton. Capt. Morgan removed to Preston, Conn., about 1692. He was a prominent public man, Indian commissioner and adviser, and a Deputy to the Gen- erai Court from New London and also from Pres- ton. He died in 1712, aged sixty-seven. His chil- dren were: John, born June 10, 1667 ; Samuel, Sept. 9, 1669: Isaac, Oct. 24, 1670; Hannah, Jan. 8, 1674; Mercy, May, 1675; Sarah, April 13, 1678; James, about 1680 (all to the first marriage) ; Elizabeth, about 1690; William, 1693; Rachel, bap- tized April 19, 1697; Andrea; Margery, baptized July 9, 1699; Joseph, baptized April 27, 1701; Theophilus, baptized May 16, 1703 ; and Mary.

(III) Samuel Morgan, born Sept. 9, 1669, mar- ried Dec. 30, 1709, Hannah Avery, and died some- time between 1729 and 1734. Their children were: Samuel, born March 9, 17II; Elijah, April 13, 1712: Hannah, Feb. 13, 1714: Abijah, July 6, 1715 ; Lucy, May 9, 1717; Theophilus, about 1719; Ex- perience, about 1721 ; and Timothy, in 1723.

(IV) Timothy Morgan, born about 1723, set- tled in the town of Groton, Conn., where his death occurred Oct. 13, 1795. He and his wife Deborah had children : Experience, born July 22, 1749: De- borah, March 1, 1751; Timothy, Feb. 8, 1753; Elizabeth, Sept. 8, 1754; Daniel, Aug. 2, 1756; Jesse, Jan. 27, 1758; David (twin) Jan. 27, 1758; Theophilus, Oct. 12, 1759; Samuel, May 12, 1763; Aaron, May 27, 1765 ; and Hannalı, July 26, 1767.

(V) Theophilus Morgan, born Oct. 12, 1759, married May 10, 1795, Mary Hinckley, who was born Feb. 23, 1767, daughter of Abel Hinckley, of Stonington. Mr. Morgan was a farmer, and set- tled in that part of Lyme which became Salem, Conn. There he died, Sept. 11, 1820, and his widow passed away Sept. 17, 1825. They had a large fam- ily of children, of whom only six, two sons and four daughters, reached maturity : Mary, born March 10, 1796; Henry, March 30, 1797 ; Alvah, June 7, 1798; Sidney, Aug. 30, 1800; Caroline, Dec. 22, 1801 ; Frances M., Dec. 31, 1802 ; Charlotte M., July 4, 1805 ; Orville, June 22, 1805; Jeannette, Nov. 23, 1807 ; and Theophilus, Dec. 26, 1809. Of these Alvah, the eldest son to reach maturity, became a resident of Holley, Orleans Co., N. Y. He married in 1822, Dolly Stratton, of Glastonbury, Conn., and in 1832 settled in Murray, Orleans Co., N. Y.,

where he died in 1862, at the age of sixty-four years, leaving a widow and an only son, Alvah S. Morgan.

Sidney Morgan, father of John Morgan, was born Aug. 30, 1800. He occupied the old Morgan farın, which he subsequently sold to Aaron Niles in 1835 for the sum of $8,500. He then purchased a farm of 300 acres in Salem, Conn., which he sold in 1857 for $5,000. With this capital in hand, in company with his four sons, he went west, settling in Loda, Iroquois Co., Ill., where he bought 650 acres of land, and where his sons, Theophilus and Enoch, took up one section. With the exception of Theophilus, the entire family returned East in 1860, and Mr. Morgan thereupon purchased the farm of 220 acres adjoining the original homestead, where he lived until his death, which occurred March 21, 1870. He was much in public life, filling various town offices, and representing the town in the State Legislature three times, the last time in 1866. Fra- ternally he was a master Mason. Although a mem- ber of the Episcopal Church, he attended and helped to support the Congregational Church, and was a practical Christian philanthropist.

On Feb. 27, 1823, Mr. Morgan married Harriet Stoddard, who was born Feb. 28, 1802, daughter of Vine Stoddard. She survived her husband eleven years, dying April 15, 1881, in the eightieth year of her age. Their children were as follows: ( I) Theo- philus, born Dec. 27, 1823, has accumulated a com- fortable fortune, and is now living retired in Illi- nois, a widower, with one son. He married Sept. 22, 1851, Emily W. Brumley, of Montville Conn. (2) John Wesley, born Jan. 19, 1826, is mentioned below .. (3) Enoch Sidney, born April 3, 1828, was an engineer and machinist, and lived in Mystic, where he died. On April 6, 1854, he married Mary H. Avery, of New London. (4) Albert Hinckley, born Oct. 27, 1833, was a farmer and public-spirited citizen of Redwood county, Minn., where he held the offices of postmaster and town clerk, and where he died. He married a widow, Mrs. Odell. (5) Alvah, born Aug. 3, 1840, is a prominent resident of Salem, Conn., where he has been active in town affairs. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, the 26th Conn. V. I., and he was wounded at Port Hudson, being shot just below the knee by a minie ball, which he still carries in the bone. An- other bullet marked his forehead. He was dis- charged in August, 1863, and is now a pensioner. On Dec. 3. 1865, he married Sarah E. Bailey, of Salem, Connecticut.

John Wesley Morgan received his early educa- tion in the district schools, and later graduated from Bacon Academy, of Colchester, Conn., which he attended for two years, graduating from same at the age of seventeen years. From that time until his death his career was one of successful business ac- tivity. He was only seventeen when he came to New London and entered the employ of Smith & Dabold, the partners being N. D. Smith and Selden Dabold, who carried on a grocery store on the site of the

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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 202

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