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 37

Author:
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1568

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Coventry, R. I. On Dec. 22, 1816, he married Mary Tift, who was born May 13, 1792, daughter of Solomon and Eunice ( Burrows) Tift, of Groton, Conn. This marriage was blessed with the follow- ing children: (I) Eunice A., born in Coventry, Feb. 5, 1818, died May 18, 1833. (2) Jonathan, born April 22, 1819, died July 6, 1819. (3) Ira Greene was born April 29, 1820. (4) Wanton was born Nov. 25, 1821. (5) Jonathan T., born May 3, 1823, lives in Sheridan, Cal., where he is engaged in mercantile business. He married Maria Wood- worth, and they have six children, Jonathan, Laura, Lucy, Susan, Ira and Mary. (6) Lucius, born Dec. 21, 1825, has a sketch elsewhere in this volume. (7) Sarah B., born July 7, 1827, married Thomas Wil- bur, of North Grosvenor Dale, Conn., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. (8) George Washington was born April 19, 1829. (9) Ezra was born Oct. 9, 1830. (10) Mary A., born March 17, 1832, married Jonathan L. Spencer, now de- ceased, of Providence, R. I. They had nine chil- dren, among whom were Grace, who married John W. Tinkler, of Providence; Flora, wife of Howard Preston, of Providence; Robert L., of Providence ; Mary T., wife of Harry Holmes; and Ralph, who died young. (II) James Henry Clay, born Nov. 16, 1834, died May 8, 1857. (12) Eunice Ann, born July 21, 1836, is the widow of Levi Bowen Arnold, and lives in Putnam, Conn. They had six children, Ernest M., Walter S., Mary E., Lucius F., Clifford B. and Edwin T., the last named deceased. Mrs. Wanton Briggs died at Voluntown, Conn., July 9, 1866, and was buried beside her husband in the Manchester cemetery. Wanton Briggs was a Whig, and a member of the Baptist Church at Rice City, Rhode Island.

IRA GREENE BRIGGS, born in Coventry, R. I., April 29, 1820, received a district school education. He worked on the farm until he was twelve years old, when his father removed to the village since known as Harrisville, where he was employed by Elisha Harris, a well known manufacturer and after- ward governor of the State. Ira entered Mr. Har- ris's factory, beginning in the picker-room, where he remained four years. He then worked about two years in the other parts of the factory, and became expert in all the processes of cotton manufacturing. At eighteen he entered the machine shops of Laval- ley, Lanphere & Company, in the adjoining village, Phenix, and worked there three years, becoming fa- miliar with the building of cotton machinery. Hav- ing attained his majority, he again entered the em- ployment of Mr. Harris, continuing with him for seven years, having charge of the repairs of the ma- chinery. At the end of that period the factory of Brown & Ives, at Hope Village, two miles above Harrisville, on the same stream, was being built un- der the supervision of David Whitman, and Mr. Briggs was employed to superintend the erection of the shafting and to get the machinery in running order. Having finished this task, he was engaged

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

by Brown & Ives to take charge of the machinery and repairs, and he remained in that capacity in the Hope factory until 1852. He was then appointed superintendent of the Rockville Mills, at Hopkin- ton, R. I. These mills, built in 1845, were then owned by John C. Harris, Oliver D. Wells and Har- ris Lanphear. The latter, a brother-in-law of Mr. Briggs, had been superintendent. The business had not been successful, and the company was embar- rassed in its finances. In the four years .of Mr. Briggs's agency, by his able administration, the in- debtedness was materially reduced, and the affairs of the company became more prosperous.

Early in 1856, with other gentlemen, he pur- chased from the insolvent estate of James S. Treat, the mills and adjacent real estate formerly belong- ing to the Industrial Manufacturing Co., at Volun- town, Conn., and at once commenced business as the Beachdale Manufacturing Co., in the manufacture of cotton cloth. In the same year such changes in the ownership took place that at its end Mr. Briggs owned two-fifths and Jonathan R. Wells and Thomas R. Wells three-fifths of the whole interest, and in this proportion it was held by the same persons un- til Nov. 20, 1857, when the Messrs. Wells sold their interest to John L. Ross, of North Providence, R. I. This partnership continued for three years. It was then dissolved, Mr. Briggs purchasing the in- terest of his partner and becoming sole proprietor Nov. 17, 1860. On Dec. 12th, ensuing, he sold an interest of two-fifths to his brother-in-law, Jona- than L. Spencer, of Hopkinton, R. I., forming with him the firm of Briggs & Spencer. On Feb. 15, 1861, Briggs & Spencer bought a mill and privilege half a mile below the Beachdale mill, on the same stream, from Samuel Gates. Mr. Gates had several years before built the mill and a temporary dam, but had not operated the mill. Briggs & Spencer did not occupy it, but leased it to Hiram Jencks for four years as a twine mill. The partnership continued until Oct. 1, 1863, when Mr. Spencer sold his inter- est to John L. Ross, the style of the firm being changed to Ross & Briggs.

On July 1, 1865, Mr. Briggs sold to his young- est living brother, Ezra, one-fifth of his interest, amounting to one-tenth of the whole interest, the business being afterward conducted in the name of Ross, Briggs & Co. On Aug. 21, 1868, Ira G. Briggs purchased John L. Ross's interest and sold to his brother, Ezra, an additional one-tenth of the whole business and mill property, forming with him the firm of Ira G. Briggs & Co. Their interests in it were, respectively, four-fifths and one-fifth. Dur- ing both the periods of the partnership of Ira G. Briggs and John L. Ross, the latter had no active connection with any part of the business, his capital only being invested. On Sept. 21, 1870, Ira G. Briggs & Co. purchased for further uses the mill privilege below the Gates mill formerly belonging to Alice Branch, having a fall of twenty-four feet, and a capacity nearly double that of either of the privil-

eges owned by them, which had been leased to st ply power to a sawmill, a gristmill and a shodc mill. The next year, 1871, they purchased th Doane mill, on the same stream, below the Bran privilege. This property had passed from the ow ership of Joseph H. Doane by the foreclosure of mortgage, Dec. 7, 1852. During the period betwe that date and its purchase by the Messrs. Briggs had been owned by different firms, neither of who had been successful in operating it. Since it cár into the hands of its last proprietors it has be profitably used for the manufacture of yarns al warps. After Mr. Briggs acquired, in 1860, the co trolling interest in the Beachdale mills, he expend large amounts out of the profits in increasing the c pacity and facilities of the mills by erecting ne buildings, introducing improved machinery, al providing a larger and more continuous supply water-power. He purchased the right of perso: controlling the outlet and flowage of Beach pond, principal means of supply of water power to t !! mills in Voluntown, and below on the Pachaug rive erected a new dam at the outlet of the pond, a raised the highway for half a mile. These worl enlarged this natural reservoir to some 1,200 acre and increased the depth of the water by ten fer thus enabling the Messrs. Briggs to run their mil throughout the year instead of nine months. T1 work was done under the supervision of Ira ( Briggs, and mainly at the expense of the firm.

In 1873 Mr. Briggs became a stockholder, at the next year a director, in the Rockville Mills, ; Hopkinton, R. I., in which, from 1852 to 1856, 1 had had his first experience in mill managemen He was the general manager and agent after 187. with the personal supervision of the purchase of mi terial and the manufacture and sale of the good There are three of these mills, situated on successi privileges of the same stream, like the mills of th Messrs. Briggs of Voluntown. The Rockville Mil were ably managed, and, in a period of general de pression, were kept in constant operation, payin their current expenses, together with the interest c a large debt and heavy expenditures in improve ments in the mills and machinery. In the same yea 1873, Ira G. Briggs bought an interest in the Stil man Manufacturing Co., at Westerly, R. I. The mill was engaged in the manufacture of cassimere Mr. Briggs continued as the head of most of thes industries until 1896, when he retired from activ work. He still retained, however, a large intere: in the Briggs Manufacturing Co., the successor ( Ira G. Briggs & Co., of which he was president unt his death.

While Mr. Briggs was engaged in these enter prises he occupied many positions of trust an honor. He was first selectman of the town nin years in succession, a member of the lower branc of the General Assembly in 1865, 1866 and 1868 and of the Senate in 1870 ... In the Senate he wa a member of the joint committee on Banks an

44 0

Geo. Tr Briggs

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GENEALOGICAL 'AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Baking. During the Civil war he actively engaged e raising of money for the equipping of troops, in in 1884, he was a delegate to the Republican an Naonal Convention which nominated James G. Blije. In politics he was a stanch Republican.

Ir. Briggs was a man of splendid character, streg and honest in his purposes, and of lofty am- bit 1. He was energetic and straightforward in all s business relations, and, as can be seen by a gla e at the sketch of his business career, was never idl but was laboring ceaselessly for the interests wh and ove 1 he owned and represented. He was also kind charitable, and he numbered many friends all Connecticut and Rhode Island. He was a sin-

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Christian gentleman, and was a member of the st Church in Phenix, R. I. He was a frequent ibuting member, and held a seat there until he

CO1 die His death is a distinct loss to Voluntown. Fra rnally he was a member of Somerset Lodge, No 14, F. & A. M., of Norwich.

n Oct. I, 1846, Ira G. Briggs was united in ma: age with Lydia Andrews, who was born June 7, 24, in Coventry, R. I., daughter of Holden Anews. Holden Andrews was born in Warwick, Sept. 16, 1793, and died in 1875, in Coventry,

R. R. Mrs. Briggs died Oct. 17, 1892, and was 1 in Manchester cemetery. The children of orthy couple were: Lucy Ella, born Oct. 2,

bur this 185 in Scituate, R. I., married, Sept. 8, 1874, Tho as H. Peabody, of Westerly, R. I .; Emily ces, orn May 8, 1854, died July 4, 1856; Emma Fra es, born Jan. 27, 1861, in Voluntown, Conn., ma ed, Oct. I, 1884, George Wyman Carroll, of Noi ich, Conn., and has one child, George Wyman, Jr., rn May 9, 1886 (Mrs. Carroll belongs to the

D. R.) ; Ira Elmer, born March 3, 1864, died July $3, 1864; and Ira Everett was born Aug. 26, 1860 in Voluntown. Ira Greene Briggs died at his hom in Voluntown, Conn., Jan. 6, 1902.

I., M ANTON BRIGGS, JR., was born in Coventry, R. v. 25, 1821. Like his brothers he attended the dist t schools, and commenced work in the mills at Frisville at the age of eleven years, afterward atte ng school during the winter season. He con- tin in the mill for several years, but being de- sirot of obtaining more of an education he attended the iwcatuck Academy at Westerly, R. I., and Smitville Seminary, at North Scituate, R. I. For two erms he taught school, in Coventry and Knig :sville. In January, 1849, during the gold fever he and his brother Lucius went to California by y of Cape Horn, and Wanton spent fifteen

year:

n the Golden State, during twelve of which

he w Sacr

engaged in ranching in Placer county, near iento. In August, 1864, he returned East, ter a short residence in Voluntown went to R. I., where he bought a place and settled

and Hop low1 o gardening, etc., spending twenty-five years there

At the end of that time he sold out and moved to D ielson, Conn., where he bought a three-acre tract land on which he has since resided, and en-

gaged in gardening. He built a home and is nicely located.

In Voluntown, Conn., in 1865, Mr. Briggs mar- ried Julia A. Douglass, who was born in Griswold, Conn., daughter of George Douglass, and they had two children: Alice M., who is at home; and J. Herbert, a printer, who married Edwina Burdick, and resides in Danielson.

Mr. Briggs from early childhood has had a crav- ing for the knowledge to be found in books, and steady persistency has enabled him to master many of the branches for which he has shown special apti- tude. He is a constant reader, and is continually adding to his store of information. One of his fav- orite studies is astronomy, a subject which he is. fond of discussing, and upon which he can discourse very entertainingly .. In politics he is a stanch Re- publican, but he has never had a desire for political preferment, the absence of any wish for prominence. being one of his marked characteristics. Although he has passed the four-score mark he is still quite active. He is a good Christian man, temperate in his habits, and enjoys the respect of all who know him.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIGGS, superintendent of the Briggs Manufacturing Company at Volun- town, was born in Coventry, R. I., April 19, 1829. He attended the district schools until seven years. old, when he started to work in the mills of the Har- risville Company. There he remained until sixteen, and during that time attended school a few short terms. For one year he worked on the home farm. In 1845 he became a clerk in Gov. Harris's store, where he worked one year, at the end of that time starting to learn the trade of machinist with the Lavalley & Lanphere Company. He continued with that concern until 1849, when he caught the gold fever, and with sixty-four other boys and men formed a company which started for California around Cape Horn in the 260-ton barque "Rio." The company was formed for three years, and Mr. Briggs, though little over eighteen years old, was made a director. After spending one year in the gold fields he had to give up on account of ill health, and returned home by the Panama route, which was then being surveyed for a railroad. After returning home he worked at the machinist's trade in Peck's. machine shop for a short time, when he accepted a. position as foreman in the machine shops of Brown & Ives, at Hope, R. I., where he spent fifteen years. In 1867 he came to Connecticut, locating at Gros- venor Dale, where he became superintendent of the lower mill, which was under the management of his brother, Lucius Briggs. He was thus engaged for six years, when he came to Voluntown, in 1873, and bought an interest in the mills of Ira G. Briggs & Co. After a short stay there he returned to Gros- venor Dale and for fourteen years was master me- chanic for the Grosvenor Dale Company. On ac- count of ill health he resigned and in company with his wife went to California, on a five months trip,

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

recuperating. On his return he bought a home in Danielson, Conn. In 1890 he came to Voluntown and became superintendent of the Briggs Manufac- turing Company, where he has continued to fill that position for fourteen years, still making his home in Danielson, however. Socially Mr. Briggs is a mem- ber of Warwick Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M., at Warwick, R. I. He unites with the Republican party on political issues, but is not active in such matters.

In 1852 Mr. Briggs was married, in Hope, R. I., to Mary Jane Eldred, who was born in North Kings- ton, R. I., daughter of Ezra Eldred, and they had one child, Edna J., who married William Kelly, and has had four children, Robert, George, Arabella and Henry. Mrs. Briggs died in 1860, and was buried in the family lot in Manchester cemetery. In 1861 Mr. Briggs married Mary Anna Arnold, daughter of Hervey Arnold, and they have had four children : (I) Mary married George E. Elliott, of Grosvenor Dale, and had two children, Ruth F. and Rose, the latter now deceased. (2) Ezra Justin died when twenty-one months old. (3) Justus attended Wor- cester (Mass.) Academy, graduating therefrom at the head of his class, and in 1893 graduated from Yale College; he is now residing in Kobe, Japan, where he is engaged in mercantile business. On Sept. 28, 1902, he married Sarah Gibberson. (4) Elizabeth Warner married Andrew S. Parsons, of New Britain, Conn., and has one child, Clifford Briggs.

Mr. and Mrs. Briggs are members of the Baptist Church at Phenix, R., I. George W. Briggs is a representative of the best type of American citizen- ship. Faithful in every relation of life, he is re- spected most where best known.

EZRA BRIGGS was born in Coventry, R. I., Oct. 9, 1830. In his native place he attended school un- til he was eight years old, when he began working in the cotton mills at Harrisville, and later at Phenix, where he continued until he was nineteen, with the exception of one year spent on the farm. In the spring of 1849 he entered the machine shops of the Lavalley & Lanphere Company, where he spent two years in learning the trade. Desiring to acquire more education he left the shop and entered East Greenwich (R. I.) Academy, where he took a gen- eral course and fitted himself for teaching. He

taught school for five terms in Coventry and Smith- field, during intervals working at the machinist's trade. In 1854 he accepted a position as bookkeeper with the Harris Lime Rock Company, with which he spent two years, and in the spring of 1856 he kept books for James H. Read & Co., cloth merchants, of Providence. In the fall of the same year he ac- cepted the position of bookkeeper with the Brown & Ives Cotton Manufacturing Company, at their mills in Hope, R. I., and was also paymaster, continuing to discharge the duties of that position of trust and responsibility for nine years. In 1865 he came to Voluntown, Conn., buying an interest in the mills

of his brother, Ira G., under the firm name of G. Briggs & Co., which company was formed a corporation in 1886, until which time he charge of the financial management of the busit On the formation of the new company he bec secretary and treasurer, continuing as such 1 1901. In that year, on account of his age, dropped active interest in the business except a: adviser, but still retains the positions of secre and assistant treasurer. In March, 1897, Briggs bought a controlling interest in the Bri Manufacturing Company. He is now practic retired from business, spending his leisure hour. his library, among his books, of which he has a collection. Mr. Briggs is well-read and well formed on all the leading events of the day. takes a deep interest in the family history, as both sides of the house he is a descendant from Re lutionary stock, and takes great pride in one of possessions-the sword carried by his grandfat Jonathan Briggs, who served more than six year the regular army during the Revolution.

---

In 1883 Mr. Briggs took his first holiday with his daughter went to Europe, visiting the p: cipal cities and places of interest on the contin Since then he has traveled through the South and Western States with his wife and daughter, far as the Pacific coast and lower California, visit all the places of interest. He is a keen observer men and things, and travel and reading have veloped these qualities notably. Mr. Briggs is no- for his genial disposition and pleasant manner. though now in his seventy-fifth year he is still acti and possesses a wonderful store of knowledge. politics he is a Republican, and during his resides in Voluntown has taken a deep interest in sch matters, serving as a member of the school board a number of years. In 1872 he was elected to State Legislature, and served on the committee Cities and Boroughs. In 1898 he was again elect to the Legislature, and during the session served a committeeman on Manufactures and Judic Nominations. Socially he is a member of Warw (R. I.) Lodge, A. F. & A. M., which he joined 1863. In religious views he regards the Gold Rule as the highest standard, and attends the Ba tist Church, which he liberally supports. Wh living at Hope, R. I., during the Civil war, M Briggs was in 1863 commissioned captain in t local militia.

On Sept. 28, 1857, in Olneyville, R. I., 1 Briggs married Christina Knight, who was born Abington, Pa., daughter of Zuroyal and Lucin (Tompkins) Knight. Zuroyal Knight's fath Barzilla Knight, of Rhode Island, was a Revo! tionary soldier. Mrs. Briggs is a member of t Baptist Church of Voluntown, a good Christi woman, devoted to her home, husband and fami of whom she feels proud. We give the followi: record of their children : (1) George Tift, born Di II, 1858, is mentioned fully below. (2) Marion ]

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

S ine, born Sept. 18, 1861, married Arthur H. E ly, of Hartford, Conn., and died April 17, 1890; was buried in Cedar Hill cemetery. She had S. children, Gertrude Briggs and Norman Tift. ( Arthur Lincoln, born May 7, 1864, was educa- te to in the Voluntown public school and the mili- school at Worcester, Mass. He resides in Vol- 11 fa own, and is vice-president of the Briggs Manu- uring Company. He married Helen Rose, of E tford, who is now deceased. (4) Sarah Lil- li: , born Jan. 20, 1871, was educated in the Volun- to public school and graduated from the Hart- fc. high school. She married Will H. Barron, Jr., ofProvidence, R. I., and they reside in Danielson, Con. They have had two children, Elizabeth Cate a1 Margaret Briggs, the latter deceased. (5)

E ly Frances, born Feb. 23, 1875, attended school at oluntown and later graduated at a young ladies' se nary in Windsor, Conn. She also graduated fr | the Boston University with the degree of M. Dan the class of 1898, and now practices her pro- feron in Danielson. (6) Ezra Knight, born April 7, 360, died Sept. 7, 1864, and (7) James died in in® icy.

GEORGE TIFT BRIGGS, president and general man- ag! of the Briggs Manufacturing Company, was at Hope, in the town of Scituate, R. I., Dec. II, bo 18 eldest son of Ezra Briggs. He came to Volun- to with his parents, and there grew to manhood, att ding the public schools, and later was a pupil in le Connecticut Literary Institute, at Suffield, Cc ., and the Plainfield Academy. From there he en: ed the Polytechnic Institute at Worcester, %., where he graduated in the class of 1880, M. wi the degree of Bachelor of Science. On return- ing rom school he entered the mills of Ira G. Briggs & .. , and learned all the branches of the business, bed ning superintendent. From there he went to W erly, R. I., where he was agent for the Still- Manufacturing Company, and where he spent nir

ma months. When the Briggs Manufacturing

Co any was incorporated, in 1886, he became a sto holder and director. In 1888 he went to Hart- for in

Conn., and became a stockholder and director e Eddy Electric Manufacturing Company, at Wi sor, Conn., and during his connection there- wit he was general superintendent. Resigning his pos on in April, 1897, he returned to Voluntown, and ras elected general manager and vice-president of 1 Briggs Manufacturing Company, as his uncle, Ira ., on account of age, was withdrawing from the ctive management of the business. After the dea of his uncle, in January, 1902, Mr. Briggs was elec 1 president and continues as general manager of : business. During his administration the old Cotton Company's mill, known as the Gr sto1 mill, was bought and put into operation, mak- ing our mills under his able management. Mr. Bri; s is a man of ability and a worthy successor of 1 uncle in this responsible connection. In man- ner is genial, and he is popular with his employes

and niuch devoted to his home, wife and children.

On Sept. 24, 1884, Mr. Briggs married, in Dan- ielson, Conn., Marion B. W. Hovey, who was born in Killingly, Conn., daughter of Dr. Daniel and Mary (Butts) Hovey, and niece of the late Judge Hovey, of Norwich. Mrs. Briggs was educated in the schools of Killingly and the high school at Dan- ielson, and taught school in Killingly, Plainfield, Brooklyn, Sterling and Voluntown. She is a woman of culture and of refined tastes, and is a very devoted wife and mother. Three children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Briggs : Marion, Katharine Knight and Christina Mary.

Mr. Briggs is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Washington Lodge No. 70, at Windsor, and of Pythagoras Chapter, at Hartford, and also affiliates with the Royal Arcanum of Hartford. He is one of the prominent residents of Voluntown, prominent in every department of that town's activities, and a worthy representative of a family of high standing. In politics he is a Republican.

Mary Tift, the wife of Wanton Briggs, Sr., was a daughter of Solomon Tift, who was born in South Kingstown, R. I., May 28, 1758, son of Joseph and Lucy ( Brewster) Tift. He was a soldier during the Revolutionary war. At Arnold's attack on New London, Sept. 6, 1781, he was made a prisoner of war by the British, and was put on board the prison ship "Jersey," where he came near dying of fever. He was a United States pensioner in 1832, and re- ceived from the government $40 per year. He en- listed in Rhode Island in March, 1777, and in a pri- vate company called the "Kingston Reds" served three months under Col. John Gardner, and in July, 1778, he enlisted for nine months in the company of Capt. West, under Col. Laphan, of New Jersey. His wife was Eunice Burrows, of Groton. He died Dec. 2, 1850.

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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 37

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