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 28

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 28

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Following is a brief record of the children of George B. and Hannah Gardiner (Lathrop) Rip- ley :

William Lathrop Ripley, born April 30, 1827, was a merchant in Michigan. During the Civil war he was in the commissary department, holding the rank of major in a Michigan regiment. In 1854 he married Jerusha Gilchrist, and they had three chil- dren : Mary Lathrop, born Jan. 15, 1855 (died April 23, 1874) : George Bradford, Feb. 19, 1857; and Charles Dwight, Feb. 23, 1858. The sons reside in Minnesota. William Lathrop Ripley died at Sauga- tuck, Mich., April 8, 1878.

Dwight Ripley, born June 8, 1829, was a mer- chant in New York, as a member of the firm of Crane, Hamilton & Ripley. He was in the South when the Civil war began, and became a major in the C. S. A., on duty in Texas and Mexico. After the war he was a member of the firm of Melius. Trask & Ripley, in New York City. He married July 9, 1873, in Loudoun county, Va., Eliza Chinn McHatton, and they have one daughter. Elise, born in New York May 23, 1874, who on April 5, 1902, married Joseph Ripley Noyes, and has one daughter, Katherine, born Dec. 15, 1902.

Hannah Lathrop Ripley, born Nov. 4, 1830, re- sides in the old homestead at Norwich, Connecticut.

Harriet Ripley, born Sept. 6, 1832, by profession

an artist, resides at the old homestead, Norw Connecticut.

James Dickenson Ripley, born Nov. 14, I was acting assistant surgeon of the 18th Connect et regiment during the Civil war, in which he sent three years. At the commencement of his serv he was a medical student, and he served as hospl steward before he became assistant surgeon. lost his life in the burning of the steamer "Comm wealth," at Groton, Conn., Dec. 29, 1865.

George Coit Ripley, born Aug. 24, 1839, g1 uated from Yale College in 1862. He enlisted in Ioth Connecticut Regiment, was appointed aid Gen. O. S. Terry, and was on his staff until close of the war. On Nov. 14, 1867, at Harrisbi Pa., he married Lizzie Mann. They had two c dren : Faith, born Aug. 10, 1869, was married Buenos Ayres, Argentina, S. A., Sept. 10, 1900 Howard E. Atterbury; Eleanor Bucher, born F 8, 1872, died at Colorado Springs, Colo., May 1893. George Coit Ripley is a lawyer in Min apolis in the firm of Ripley & Lum.

Emily Lathrop Ripley, born June 15, 1841, n ried May 23, 1871, Charles Avery Collin, Y: 1866, law professor at Cornell for seven years, n a lawyer in New York City, of the firm of Shel & Collin. Mr. and Mrs. Collin have had two cl dren : (1) Dwight Ripley, born Jan. 26, 1873, er cated at Cornell, is an architect for the Brook Rapid Transit Co. in Brooklyn, N. Y. ; he was.m ried at Buffalo, N. Y., Oct. 16, 1901, to Julia Tov send Coit, and they have one son, Charles Ave Jr., born Aug. 10, 1902. (2) Grace Lathrop, be March 22, 1874, Smith College, 1896, Columl 1899, journalist and author, resides in Brooklyn.

ALBERT HUNT CHASE, member of the we. known Norwich firm of Eaton, Chase & Co., who sale and retail hardware dealers, was born April 1861, in Middletown, Middlesex Co., Conn., a comes of one of the oldest families in the State, ing a descendant of Aquila Chase, who came America prior to 1639.

Daniel H. Chase, LL. D., father of Albert was born March 8, 1814, in Hoosick, N. Y., a still survives, making his home in Middletow Conn., of which place he is one of the oldest re dents. He was graduated from Wesleyan Univ sity in 1833, and for nearly a quarter of a centi has been the only survivor of his class. For ma years he conducted a select school which beca famous as an educational institution, the Doc ranking among the ablest educators in his State, not in New England. He married Caroline

Smith.

Albert H. Chase attended the public schools Middletown, and prepared for college under 1 private tuition of his father. He entered Wesley University, which he left at the beginning of 1 Junior year, however, to go to Buffalo, N. Y. that city he was employed as bookkeeper by

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

elr brother engaged in business there. He re- ned in Buffalo four years, at the end of that

= od going to New York City, where he became p b ‹keeper in the New York office of W. & B. glas, of Middletown, with whom he continued u P ti 1 April, 1888. He then came to Norwich, and connected with the hardware firm of A. W. itice & Co. for a few months, when, Mr. Pren- retiring from business, the present firm of En, Chase & Co., was formed, in February, 1889. T y continued in business at the old location on Vier street, where the business was established in I' P: 1, until early in 1903, when they removed to their ent quarters, at No. 129 Main street, where they hie five floors and basement. Mr. Chase has been ninent in the business life of Norwich ever since removal to that city. After the death of his fager-in-law, Mr. Prentice, he was chosen to suc- CE him as a director of the First National Bank, ar is also a director of the Richmond Stove Com- pa. He has taken a leading part in the progress of is community, and is one of the corporators of Norwich Free Academy. But his attention has

thị b given principally to the direction of his busi- affairs, and he has avoided public preferments of ny kind.

Mr. Chase was married, June 5, 1888, to Miss Ala E. Prentice, daughter of Hon. Amos W. and H riet E. (Parker) Prentice, and four children ha: blessed this union, born as follows: Pauline, 24, 1891 ; Anna Prentice, Aug. 20, 1893 ; Amos P: itice, Dec. 30, 1894; Elizabeth, July 13, 1897. B1 Mr. and Mrs. Chase hold membership in the B Midway Congregational Church of Norwich. So- cialy he is a member of the Alpha Delta Phi Society of Jesleyan College. His political support is given tohle Republican party.

COURTLAND S. DARROW (deceased), one of New London's best known citizens, was de- sc ded from a family identified with that city for two hundred years.

I) Sergt. George Darrow is first known of in N. London between 1675 and 1680; he married M , the relict of George Sharswood, whose death ocfrred previous to 1678. Their children were: CI stopher, George, Nicholas, Jane and Richard, all aptized between 1678 and 1704. Many of the de 'ndants of Sergt. Darrow have been noted min- ist of the Gospel in the Baptist denomination. ly every generation has furnished one or more of e name who have adorned the profession.

II) Nicholas Darrow, baptized May 20, 1683, maied Millicent Beeby, and probably settled in erford or New London. Their children were :

W Ni olas, Sarah, Mary, Daniel and Nathaniel.

III) Nicholas Darrow

(2) married Mary

Gr n.

IV) Nicholas Darrow (3) married Sarah Rc rs.

V) Joseph Darrow married Sabra Maynard,

and they became the grandparents of Courtland S. Darrow. They had six children: Caroline, who married Nicholas Rogers, and has two children, Nicholas and Euretta (who died in 1868) ; Elias Lewis, who is mentioned below ; Charles, who mar- ried Amanda Hempstead, and died in June, 1899; Edward; Catherine, born Nov. 19, 1827, who mar- ried William Parker, (born Oct. 23, 1827), and died in February, 1855 ; and James. The mother of this family died April 22, 1865.

(VI) Elias Lewis Darrow, born Jan. 23, 1812, died in 1890. He married Mary Tinker, who was born Feb. 24, 1824, and five children came to bless their union : Courtland Shepard, born Jan. 9, 1845 ; Annie Williams, Sept. 1, 1848; Elias Mortimer, Feb. 7, 1854, who married Henrietta Hodson, and had two children, Mortimer Suthard and Arthur; Eu- gene Augustus, Sept. 1, 1855, who married Annette Neff ; George Everet, Nov. 22, 1857, who married Olive Curtis, and had two children, Annie Williams and Viva.

(VII) Courtland S. Darrow was born Jan. 9, 1845, in New London, in a house on Coit street. His early education was obtained in the public schools of New London, and he graduated from the Bartlett high school when he was less than fifteen years of age, being one of the youngest pupils who ever grad- uated from that school. When the Civil war broke out, he was full of patriotism and gladly offered him- self as a volunteer. His youth prevented his accept- ance in the service in the city, but he was determined to go to the front, and enlisted in Company I of the Seventeenth Connecticut Infantry on March 28, 1861, and served his country faithfully until he was mustered out on July 19, 1865. The hardships and exposures that he encountered as a soldier under- mined his health and laid the foundation for the dis- ease that finally caused his death. Returning from the war, Mr. Darrow took up his residence in New London again, and was variously occupied till 1876. For one year he tried the fishing business; he then went into the revenue service for four years, and next was occupied in the express line, which he followed for sometime. It was in this business that he was able to save up a little and really start in life. His first venture was to buy out the grocery business of Charles Brown, which was small, and which in those days had a small ship chandlery bus- iness. He began in the building at what is now No. 128 Bank street, and there he laid the founda- tion for the success of the firm which he founded and of which he was the senior member during his lifetime, the other member being Fitch L. Comstock, and the firm name Darrow & Comstock. Later the firm bought and moved to the stone building, which they still occupy, and extended the business, adding ship hardware and a variety of other articles and building up a large trade. In 1901 Mr. Comstock retired from the firm and the business is now car- ried on by the Darrow & Comstock Co. incorpor- ated, Mr. Darrow's son, William M. Darrow, being

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

secretary and treasurer, and Mr. Darrow's widow being the president of the company.

For the last few years the feeble condition of his health had compelled Mr. Darrow to avoid the rigors of the winter in his vicinity by going South, and he spent the cold months in Florida. Not only in bus- iness affairs had Mr. Darrow made an enviable rep- utation, but also as a representative of the city in the court of common council. He served the city well as a councilman and was later chosen as alderman, in which capacity he acted for several terms. He was at the head of important committees, and so well did he look after the interests committed to him that he was at one time strongly mentioned as a candidate for the office of mayor, and could no doubt have had the nomination from the Republican party had he wished to accept it.

Mr. Darrow was a chartered member of W. W. Perkins Post, No. 47, Grand Army of the Republic, and for many years served as post commander. In the councils of the Department of Connecticut he had taken an important part, and his interest in the organization was rewarded a few years since by his choice as senior vice-commander of the. Depart- ment. Mr. Darrow was for many years connected with the Masonic fraternity, and was a member of Brainard Lodge, No. 102, F. & A. M., New Lon- don. His religious connection was with the First Baptist Church.

On June 5, 1867, Mr. Darrow was married to Miss Sarah A. Manning, daughter of William and Charlotte Manning, of New York City. Two chil- dren came to them : William Manning, born Jan. 5, 1869, married Miss Grace Crandall, by whom he had three children, Grace Elizabeth, Sarah Manning and Courtland Shepard ; for his second wife he married Sarah Magowan. Carrie Scott, born Sept. 13, 1871, is the wife of James Fowler, a contractor of New London, by whom she has had one son, Lester Courtland, born April 20, 1900. Mr. Darrow passed away Jan. II, 1903.

HON. ROBERT PALMER, one of the best known and most successful ship builders in America, is a representative of an old New London County family. At Noank, Conn., the residence of Robert Palmer, is located the plant of the Robert Palmer & Son Shipbuilding and Marine Railway Company, one of the foremost concerns in their line on the At- lantic coast. This immense business was founded nearly one hundred years ago by John Palmer, the father of Robert, and from the time of its incep- tion, three generations of this family have borne a most conspicuous part in its affairs. From time to time the firm name has undergone changes, until on Dec. 10, 1897, a stock company was formed, un- der the laws of Connecticut, with Robert Palmer, president ; Robert P. Wilbur, Vice-president ; Robert Palmer, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer ; and John E. McDonald, Superintendent, comprising the Robert

Palmer & Son Shipbuilding and Marine Railwa Company.

In the ancestral history of Robert Palmer, hi great-grandfather, Elihu Palmer, was a native o New London county, and a resident of Ledyard in early life. He was a farmer by occupation, and a man much esteemed. He married Ruth Eldredge who bore him two children, Elihu, the grandfather of Robert Palmer; and Prudence, who married Francis Clark, of Greenport, Long Island.

Elihu Palmer, the grandfather, was a seafaring man, and was lost at sea about 1789. He left 2 widow and one son John, who at the time of his fa- ther's death was but a child of two years. The widow, who was formerly Miss Ann Latham, after- ward married Benjamin Ashby, and bore him five children, viz .: Moses, Benjamin, Latham, William and Nancy.

Deacon John Palmer, father of Robert Palmer, was born June II, 1787, at Noank, in the town of Groton. His opportunities for an education were found in the common schools of his time. He en- gaged in fishing for a few years, but early learned the trade of boat and shipbuilding, which he began at Noank. When he started in the business for himself it was in a very small way, and in this man- ner it was continued until about 1832, when he en- tered into partnership with James A. Latham. They enlarged and extended the business somewhat, sometimes employing help, and often doing the work themselves. Along about 1836 they began building fishing smacks. The superior quality of their prod- uct soon built up quite a reputation, and the business steadily increased. About 1845 John Palmer, re- tired from active labor, and Mr. Latham formed a co-partnership with his brother John D., and upon the death of Mr. Palmer in 1859, his two sons, John and Robert, became his successors.

John Palmer was a man of industry, persever- ance and activity in every direction. He was a man of firm personal and political convictions, a strong supporter of first the Whig, and later the Republican party, always being very outspoken. In his religious life he was a faithful and devoted Christian, for nearly forty years being a deacon in the Baptist Church. He was constantly interested in church and religious work, and was always at the service of the congregation, on many occasions materially as- sisting an over-worked pastor by holding various meetings for him. Stern and unyielding where principle was at stake, his whole life was an example of Christian charity. His liberality might almost have been called a fault, for no case of distress brought to his notice, was ever forgotten or disre- garded, worthy of unworthy. In connection with his deep piety and great scriptural knowledge, he was a wise and discreet councilor, and one of the pillar's of the church. Probably no man in the Noank Baptist Church, contemporary with him, did so much to advance her interests and usefulness. His

Robert Palmer

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

oving, Christian influence made itself felt, not only n the early development of religion in his children, ut through the entire community, doing good good o many and manifesting itself a power which is yet f potent influence.

Deacon John Palmer, as he was commonly nown, was twice married, first on October 19, 809, to Abby, daughter of John Fish, of Groton. 'he was the mother of his children, and passed away )ec. 10, 1856. On Dec. 22, 1857, Deacon Palmer harried Asenath Whittlesey, who survived him, his eath occurring on July 16, 1859. His children were s follows: Prudence, born in August, 1810, and ied Oct. II, 1811 ; Lucy, born Oct. 14, 1811, mar- ied (first) Capt. William A. Wilbur, and ( second) Capt. Jeremiah Wilbur, a surviving son being Rob- rt P. Wilbur, a sketch of whom will be found else- There ; Abby, born Dec. 25, 1812; Mary, born Oct. I, 1814, married M. T. J. Sawyer; Caroline, de- eased, born June 10, 1816, married M. P. Chip- han ; John, born July 16, 1818, died Sept. 30, 1876; ally, born in April, 1820, died Oct. 21, 1820; Elihu, orn Oct. 20, 1823, died June 10, 1824 ; Lydia, born ept. 2, 1821, married John D. Latham, deceased ; Lobert, born May 6, 1825; William, born April 5, 827, died Feb. 28, 1881 ; and Roswell, born April 9, 1828, died Oct. 1, 1858.

Hon. Robert Palmer was born May 6, 1825, at Toank, Conn. The public schools of his native town hich he attended until about the age of twelve ears, afforded him his literary training. Inheriting love of the sea he began going on the water when ut ten years old. When he was thirteen, he went a fishing trip to Nantucket, and for several years ter he went on fishing trips regularly to different aces, being for two years on a vessel commanded by s brother, John.

When about nineteen years old he went to Ston- gton, where he began work at the trade of boat tilder under Samuel Bottom, and later for Stiles Test. After about one and one-half years there he orked for Charles P. Williams on the ship "Betsey illiams," then under construction. As his services ere needed by his father in his shipyard at Noank, ung Palmer returned home, and entered upon an tive business life at that place, where he has con- qued ever since. On the withdrawal of Mr. La- am from the business, John and Robert Palmer, ir subject and his brother, entered into a partner- ip, which continued until 1855, when Robert, in mpany with his cousin Daniel E. Clark, of East arion, purchased the lower shipyard. After sev- al years Mr. Clark sold his interest to John and obert Palmer, who continued the work in both rds until the partnership was closed by the death John, in 1876. In 1860 the firm made many im- ovements, putting in a set of marine railways, then e largest between New York and Boston, into the per yard, the Civil war giving them an immense mount of work.

In 1879 Robert Palmer bought his brother's

interest, at which time he made added improvements, putting in gigantic steam marine railways, which at that time were probably the largest in the world. The first vessel placed on them was the steamer "Narragansett" of the Stonington line, to rebuild in the winter of 1879-80. In August, 1880, she was launched after having been repaired, during the previous two months, of damages received in col- lision with the "Stonington" in June, 1880. The growth of the business was rapid and substantial, and in 1880, Robert Palmer, Jr., and Simeon W. Ashbey became members of the firm of Robert Pal- mer & Sons-a firm name which was retained un- til supplanted by the present stock company in 1897. This firm conducts a large and strictly up-to-date general merchandise business at Noank.

The Palmer plant has turned out more than 550 vessels, varying in size from the ordinary fishing vessel to the palatial Sound steamer, and is one of the largest plants for wooden shipbuilding in this country, with a reputation second to none. Their work has been exclusively devoted to coasting con- struction, together with extensive repair work. The growth of the coasting service can well be followed in the increased dimensions of the car floats con- structed by this company. Formerly they were from 160 to 180 feet long, with a capacity for eight cars ; while today it is a common thing to build floats 330 feet long, having three tracks, and a capacity for 22 cars. The size of barges, too, has been greatly increased, until now the popular size is one carry- ing 3,300 tons, with good freeboard.

The name of Robert Palmer is a familiar one among shipping interests the country over, and his acquaintance is a most extensive one. His career has been most successful, not alone in the accumula- tion of worldly possessions, but as a citizen, and as an individual. The wholesome influence he has wielded, has been felt in his community for more than half a century. He enjoys to an unusual de- gree the marked confidence of his business and so- cial acquaintances ; with a keen sense of honor, a kindly affectionate nature, his friends are numerous. A consistent Christian, his active zeal has done much for the church and society of his locality. Since 1839 he has been a member of the Baptist Church, of which he has been a deacon for over fifty years, and he is now serving in his fifty-ninth year, as superintendent of the Sabbath school. While he does not let it be known he is the largest contributor to religious and charitable work in that section of the country, giving away for this purpose every year many times more than he spends for his own living. His long and prominent connection with the church has caused him to become known as Deacon Palmer, and where he is best known; he is invariably referred to as such.

In public affairs Mr. Palmer has never shirked the duty of a public spirited and progressive citizen. A stanch Republican, he represented the town of Groton in the Legislature in 1858, and again in

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1869. He is president and chairman of the board of trustees of the Mystic and Noank Library, and trus- tee of of the Mystic Oral School for the Deaf and Dumb. Notwithstanding his active and busy life, and though now in his eightieth year, Mr. Palmer is remarkably well preserved, vigorous in mind and body, and with a seemingly undiminished ca- pacity for work.

It is doubtful if elsewhere in Connecticut will be found an industry so much an actual and essential part of a town's thrift and prosperity, as is the Pal- mer shipyard to Noank, where, outside of the fish- ing and lobster business, it may be truly said that nearly every resident of the place is dependent upon, or in some way is connected with, this insti- tution. Mr. Palmer distinctly remembers the town when it contained but thirteen houses.

As an individual Mr. Palmer is in many respects a remarkable man. During his long and active business career, he has taken but one vacation, at that time spending one week at Vineyard Haven, during the annual camp meeting of the Baptist Church. His wonderful vigor is but the reward for a most exemplary and temperate life. His personal acquaintances and many of his warmest friends are to be found among men of wealth, as a result of business relations. Often a guest at their homes or on board the craft of this hale, well-met class, Mr. Palmer has had abundant opportunity to partake of their lavish hospitality, which is done to the exclu- sion of intoxicants. In the use of tobacco he has been equally as abstemious. Naturally possessed of a strong constitution, and with boundless energy and a resolute purpose, he is in the best sense of the word a self-made man. Courage, fidelity, thrift and in- tegrity are the price that has been paid, and Mr. Palmer has settled in large and overflowing measure for all that favoring fate or fortune has brought him in the gold of character.

On Oct. 15, 1845, Mr. Palmer married Harriet Rogers, daughter of Deacon Ebenezer and Grace (Gallup) Rogers, and granddaughter of Gurdon Gallup. Of their children, Robert died in infancy ; Harriet died aged three years; Jane is the widow of Benjamin Humphrey, of Noank, and has one daugh- ter, Jessie; Harriet married (first) Henry Knapp, had one child, Grace, and (second) Rev: William L. Swan, of Westerly, R. I .; Robert, Jr .; and Jessie, who died at the age of five years. The married life of Mr. Palmer has been a most congenial one. For- tunate in his selection of a wife, his abundant suc- cess can in no small degree be attributed to her faith- ful co-operation, his industry being fully equalled by her thrift and providence. Now in their sixtieth year of married life it is notable that Mrs. Palmer is physically able to attend personally to the care of their elegant home, and this to her is one of her greatest pleasures.

ROBERT PALMER, JR., was born Feb. 15, 1856, and he received his education in the schools at Noank and Mystic, and at Scholfield's Business Col-

· lege, at Providence, R. I., finishing the latter at t age of twenty-one. He entered his father's emplo and has thoroughly familiarized himself with eve branch of the business. In 1877 he was admitted partnership, the firm name being Robert Palmer Son, which was afterward changed to Robert P; mer & Sons. On Dec. 10, 1897, when a stock com pany was formed, Mr. Palmer became the secreta and treasurer, and has proved himself a most il portant factor in the progress of the Palmer shi yard. He has shown himself a genius as a shi wright, and under his direction the Company h built several fast boats of unique design, which ha carried off a number of regatta prizes.

The "Irma," built in 1894, and owned by Fre Allen of Galveston, Texas, was one of the first these prize winners, showing remarkable adaptab ity for racing in both the calm waters of the Ba and the rough waters of the Gulf. She was thri a prize winner, and became known as the "Quer of the Gulf."

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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 28

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