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 53

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 53

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Joseph Strickland Latimer, born March 26, 1844, in East Lyme, Conn., began his business life as a traveling salesman in New York. Later he was bookkeeper for Palmer Bros., of Montville, proving so useful and proficient in that incumbency that he was retained in it during the rest of his life. He became a prominent citizen of Montville, where he was held in the highest esteem both as a business man and personally. He was a Baptist in religious faith, originally holding membership in the church at Chesterfield, and afterward transferring to the church at Palmertown, in which latter he held the office of deacon for many years. Politically he favored the Republican party, in whose welfare he was deeply interested, but his health being rather poor he did not take much active part in public af- fairs. However, he served many years as a member of the school board in which he was an effective worker. His health breaking down, he went to Florida, where, as previously mentioned, he died Feb. 21, 1900. He was sincerely mourned in the community where so many years of his useful up- right life were spent, and will long be missed by those who had the pleasure of intimate acquaintance with him.

During the Civil war Mr. Latimer was loyal to the Union cause. On Aug. 25, 1862, he enlisted, from East Lyme, in Company I, 26th Conn. V. I., was mustered in Nov. 10, 1862, and served until

226

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

mustered out on Aug. 17, 1863. He was a member of Sedgwick Fost, G. A. R., at Norwich. Mr. Latimer was a man highly esteemed by all who knew him for his integrity of character and his kindness of heart.

On Jan. 1, 1872, Mr. Latimer was united in mar- riage at Palmertown, with Miss Arabella Palmer, who was born March 3, 1849, daughter of Elisha H. and Ellis (Loomis ) Palmer, of Montville. Children as follows blessed this union: (1) Hugh, born Oct. 15, 1872, in Montville, is now living in Savannah, Ga., and is engaged in farming. He married Alice Weakley, of Florida, and they have one child, Cecil, born in April, 1902. (2) Frederick Palmer, born Nov. 12, 1875, in Montville, is a lawyer, and lives in Groton, Conn. He married Grace Hamilton, of Groton, Nov. 27, 1901, and they have two children, Thomas H., born Dec. 24, 1902, and Frederick P., Jr., born in March, 1904. (3) Richard William, born June 13, 1879, is living in Fall River, Mass., where he is engaged in the cotton manufacturing business as assistant superintendent. He married Ella Gray, of East Orange, N. J .; they have no children. (4) Robert Lee, born Oct. 24, 1883, attended Brown University at Providence, R. I., class of 1905. (5) Alice Elizabeth, born June 9, 1887, died Dec. 17, 1889. (6) Gladys Estelle, born Nov. 16, 1891, is at- tending the public schools.

BROOKS. The Brooks family is ably repre- sented in Connecticut by Henry L. Brooks, now liv- ing retired in Danielson, who for a number of years was a successful merchant of Salem, Conn., and by his son, Charles H. Brooks, for several years a lead- ing merchant of Pomfret, Conn., who has for the past several years been proprietor of the Jordan gristmill in Waterford, New London county.

The Brooks family is an old one in New Eng- land, and Alpheus Brooks, the great-grandfather of Charles H., lived in Buckland, Mass., where he died Nov. 19, 1852, at the advanced age of eighty- four years. He was a blacksmith by trade. He mar- ried Sophia White.

Sidney Brooks, M. D., grandfather of Charles H., was born Aug. 1, 1811, in Buckland, where he was reared. He fitted for college at Sanderson Academy, Ashfield, Mass .; graduated from Am- herst College in the class of 1837 ; and pursued his medical studies in Berkshire Medical College, from which he received his degree of M. D. He practiced at Halifax, Vt., from 1842 to 1845; was located in practice at Ashfield from 1845 until 1850; and thence removed to Gales Ferry, Conn., where he re- mained until his death, June 17, 1863, by drowning. On May 17, 1843, Dr. Brooks married Lucy Clapp Leavitt, daughter of Horatio Leavitt, of Greenfield, Mass. She died Jan. 18, 1845, and on Jan. 1, 1847, he married Rebecca Sanderson, daughter of Asa Sanderson, of Ashfield, Mass., who outlived him a number of years, dying at Ashfield. There was one child, Henry L., by the first union, and also one by

the second, Arthur Sidney, who died when ty and a half years old.

HENRY LEAVITT BROOKS was born June 24#344, in Halifax, Vt., and was only an infant wl parents removed to Ashfield, Mass., whe

his his mother died when he was about six montl fold. He made his home with his aunt until his fat re- the married. His early education was received schools of Ashfield, and he also attended sch l in | liv- Boston, Mass., for two years, during that til ing with an uncle. In 1858, at the age of fo Leen years, he left Phillips school in Boston and re ned to his father's home, in Gales Ferry, Conn., mere he became a clerk in the general store of Viam A. Hedge, remaining with him about two fars. After this he followed the water for about six ars, during the greater portion of which time I

was engaged in steamboating, and in the coasting ade. He then took up farming, in April, 1866, pu nas- ing a place of 130 acres in Salem, Conn., what he conducted for a number of years, meantime r ging a start in what proved to be the principal vente of his business life. From a small beginning he lad- ually developed a general mercantile business nich grew to such proportions that he was obliged t pase his farm and give all his attention to his store, nich he continued to carry on with unvarying sucess until 1896, in which year he sold it to King y & Chadwick. For about a year following he livre- tired in New London, thence going to Boston, "Iss., where for a year and a half he was engaged iron- ducting a lodging house. He has since lived frac- tically retired, making his home in Danielson, onn. During the period of his residence in Sales Mr. Brooks was naturally, as a successful busines han, one of the prominent citizens of that place, at he took an active interest in its public welfare a well as in its business interests. He served severai :ars on the board of selectmen and on the board of lief, and was a member of the school committeebr a number of years. Mr. Brooks always remaine lieu- tral in town affairs, supporting the best men, it in national affairs he votes with the Democratic rty. He has always been an interested church w ker, and as a member of the Congregational Chun at Salem took an active part in its work, serv .; as treasurer of the church for a number of years intil his removal from the place,

Mr. Brooks was married, April 13, 1864, tc ary Sophia Allyn, daughter of Ephraim and mpira (Arthur) Allyn, of Gales Ferry, and three cl iren blessed this union, Arthur Sidney, Charles Hand William Allyn. Mrs. Brooks passed away M 19, 1893, in Salem, Conn. Of the children, the lest son, Arthur S., born March 9, 1865, in Gales rry, is now engaged in railroading in Aberdeen, Spak. He married Miss Lizzie Harding, of Red ing, Minn., and they have had one child, Henry ean. William Allyn, born Dec. 20, 1887, in Salem, nn., is at present a clerk 'in Beckley's drug sto. in Danielson.

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

(JARLES H. BROOKS was born July 1, 1870, in Sales ati ner of tl lov tore Conn., and attended the district schools of his town until thirteen years of age. Being of an ic nature, he did not enjoy the confinement schoolroom, which he left to enter the em- his father, working in the latter's general Salem. After remaining with him for sev- ral nga urs he went to Groton, Conn., where he was 1 as a clerk in the general store of his cousin, Carlo he e: W. Allyn, for about a year and a half. At of that time, with the savings he had accum- ılate store rom his earnings, he purchased the general H. P. Bullard, at Abington, in the town of Pomit, Conn., and although then but twenty-four years he st early progr ness actor chased forda age he made a success of the enterprise from , continuing it for eight years. Even at that e he showed the same close application and jive methods which have marked all his bus- 'eer and have undoubtedly been the principal in his success. In 1901 Mr. Brooks pur- he Jordan gristmill in Waterford, on the brook, which was originally built in 1712, and wich is one of the old landmarks of New Lon- lon c for tw such ity. He carried on both the mill and store years, but the business of the mill attained portions that he thought it advisable to dis- bose chis mercantile business and give his whole ittenti to the new line. He accordingly sold his tore il [903, and now gives his undivided attention o the

lling business, which under his management one f the important industries of the locality. Ie is 2 1 bus ıbstaı e affi

lan of sound judgment and up-to-date ideas 'ss matters, and is .regarded as one of the al citizens of Waterford. Like his father, es with the Democrats in national matters id ac independently in local affairs. He has held position except the postmastership of Ab- ) which he was appointed during Cleve- cond administration, and in which he con- - six years, resigning when he removed to

o pub gton nd's nued aterf Mr. arion artfo:

Brooks was married, March 20, 1895, to 7. Sage, daughter of Franklin H. Sage, of Conn., and to this union has come one n, L.

rence Eugene, born April 13, 1903, in aterf 1.

As : st er

usiness man Mr. Brooks ranks among the prising and progressive young citizens of tow

The improvements he has made in the 11 pro uld ey ha pmptl le be: ne pr isfor

rty alone since it came into his possession mp him as both energetic and sagacious. enabled him to transact the business more and satisfactorily than it has ever been e, and his patrons appreciate the fact. His erty, which is near the mill, has also been d, the house having been thoroughly re- leledand equipped with modern improvements. a c

anion he is much liked wherever he goes, high

laracter and genial manners winning him hy fr

ds and admirers among all classes.

MICHAEL B. MACDONALD, master ship builder, and owner of the ship yards at Mystic-the second in size for the building of wooden vessels on the Atlantic coast-has been the carver of his own fortune. He springs from the sturdy Scotch race, and with the characteristics inherited from his hardy ancestry, he has persisted in spite of discour- agements, always employing honorable methods, until he has found success, and with it the unequivo- cal respect of his fellow men.

The family of MacDonald is an old one, and the most numerous one on Prince Edward Island. John MacDonald, great-grandfather of Michael B., was a resident of Uist, Iverness-shire, Scotland, who with his wife and several children emigrated to America in 1780, settling at Glencoe, then called Cable Head, on Prince Edward Island. There he spent the re- mainder of his life engaged in farming.

Allen MacDonald, the eldest child of the emi- grant John, was twelve years old when the family came to America, and his life thereafter was spent in the vicinity in which his father settled. He was a farmer by occupation, and he attained the age of eighty-five years. He was thrice married, and each of his wives bore him children, in all eighteen. Among his children by his first wife, whose maiden name was Euphemia Mckinnon, he had a son John.

John MacDonald, son of Allen, was born in 1806, at Glencoe, on the north side of Prince Edward Island. He became a sea captain in the coasting trade, and also worked as a ship builder. Some of the vessels he commanded were built by him and a brother. His death occurred when he was nearly ninety years of age, at his home at St. Peter's, near his birthplace. His wife, Christina Southerland, whom he survived a few years, attained the age of eighty-four years. Their children were: Euphemia, who married Archibald Mckenzie, and lives on the old homestead ; Mary, who died in infancy; Mary (2), who married Angus Cummings, and lives at St. Peter's ; Michael B., of this sketch; John E., super- intendent of the Robert Palmer & Son Shipbuilding and Marine Railway Company, at Noank; Eliza Ann, wife of John MacDonald, of New London; Catherine, now Mrs. William Foley, of Gloucester, Mass .; Anastasia, who married Duncan Gillis, of St. Peter's ; and Matilda, who died young.

Michael B. MacDonald was born at St. Peter's Bay, Prince Edward Island, April 17, 1841. His boyhood days were spent in his native home, and his educational advantages were limited to the prim- itive schools near by, attending but a few months each winter until he was sixteen years of age, and three months during his eighteenth year. At the age of fourteen he began working at ship building in his father's yard, working there each summer until he was eighteen, and then for two years he was employed at different yards in the vicinity. In 1861 he went to St. John, New Brunswick, where he re- mained until 1863, at which time he moved to Bal-

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

timore, Md., and was there engaged in shipbuilding and the getting out of ship timber until April, 1865, when, after a short visit home, he located in Quincy, Mass. He remained at the latter place but a short time, going in 1866, to Deep River, Conn., where he was employed in the shipyard of Eli Denison, for a short time, thence coming to Mystic, first working in the Mallory yard, and later the Maxon & Fish yard at West Mystic. By this time he had saved some money, and he determined to return to Prince Ed- ward Island. He purchased a farm there, and re- turned to take upon himself its active management. This he continued, working also some at shipbuild- ing, for eight years, when he returned to Connecti- cut, and for two years was employed in the Palmer yard at Noank. For a few years, in partnership with a Mr. Anderson, under the firm name of MacDonald & Anderson, he engaged in shipbuilding on his own account at Madison, Conn. During the time he was working for the Palmers at Noank, he took the con- tract for the building of the "Charles H. Klinck" and the "Henry L. Fenner," these vessels being con- structed in the lower part of the yard. At Madison, among other craft he built the "Hattie A. Marks," "Edward F. Mansfield," "Annie B. Mitchell," "John W. Linnell," and he was at work on the "Bayard Barnes," when the buildings at the yard were all destroyed by fire, entailing a heavy loss on the own- ers. The firm then dissolved partnership, and Mr. MacDonald removed to East New London, where the "Bayard Barnes" was completed, and where he built the "Estelle Phinney," "Joseph Luther," "John Booth," the barges "Richards" and "Ray- mond" and the ferry boat "F. C. Fowler." the latter now running between Goodspeed's Station and the landing on the Connecticut River. By this time his rapidly growing business, caused by the fine reputa- tion for superior workmanship his craft had gained, necessitated larger quarters, and in 1902 the Hill yard at Mystic was purchased. At this time the business employed twenty men, but so phenomenal has been its growth, that the force has been steadily increased, and within less than two years from the purchase of the Hill yard employment was furnished to 125 hands. At the new yard the following ves- sels have been contracted : "William Booth ;" the steam lighter, "Seabury ;" the Quinnebaug :" "George D. Edmonds ;" "George D. Klinck ;" "Charles E. Wilbur ;" "Catherine M. Monahan ;" and "George E. Scannel," and others now on the ways. Mr. MacDonald personally attends to every detail of the business, in all of his work displaying the thorough knowledge of the practical builder. The yards at Mystic have facilities for building the largest type of wooden vessels, and the plant is the largest labor giving establishment in the community.

In 1867, Mr. MacDonald was united in mar- riage with Miss Jessie Mckinnon, and the following children have blessed their home : John C., who died at the age of nine years; Wallace Augustine, who married Lizzie Lawton, and has four children : Don-

ald F., Lawrence, Mary and Augustine; Fifcis Allen, who married Euphemia MacIsaac ; Christina Beatrice ; Mary Matilda, who married James Ity; John Cosmos ; Donald Joseph, who died in inf: y : and Hugh Joseph, who graduated from St. Th as Seminary at Hartford, and is now attendin St. John's Seminary at Brighton, Mass. Mr. Macen- ald and his family are all members of the R Jan Catholic Church at Noank, in which town the m- ily have resided since 1900. They are highl teemed, and are important members of society ofe.

JOHN R. CHAMPLIN, who passed aw; in Norwich, Conn., Jan. 6, 1896, was for many

[rs identified with the manufacturing interests of st- ern Connecticut. He was born March 13, 18: in Lebanon, New London county, son of Robertnd Electa (Chappell) Champlin of South Kingstc R. I., and Lebanon, Conn., respectively, and granon of John and Martha (Armstrong) Champlin.

From 1864, until some few years before his ch, Mr. Champlin was a resident of South Willin fon, Conn., where he was actively engaged in man .. c- turing, identified with his father-in-law and broer- in-law, Gardiner Hall, and Gardiner Hall, Jr In about 1889 he removed to Norwich, in which citron Laurel Hill, his death occurred, and there his wow continues to reside.

Mr. Champlin was a Republican, and wasfer active and zealous in advancing the interests chis party, having a taste for politics and public aifrs. While a resident of Willington he represente [he town in the General Assembly, and for two mms he served Tolland county as one of its cor fis- sioners.

After his removal to Norwich, he became of of its public-spirited citizens and popular gentle en. He was a home man, happiest when at home wi is wife and children. He was a man of charac a worthy citizen, and enjoyed the highest respec nd esteem of the community.

On Oct. 28, 1858, Mr. Champlin married ( ne Hall, daughter of the late Gardiner Hall, and ter of Gardiner Hall, Jr., of South Willington, +311. Three children were born to the union of Mr nd Mrs. Champlin : (1) Lotta Orline married Gige Frederic Noyes, and has three children, John Clip- lin, Robert Gale, and Freda Elizabeth. Mr. No. is connected with the Thames National Bank. |2) Robert, who resides in Providence, R. I., milied Mary Esther Burdick, and has one child, hn Emulus. (3) Lula Grace, who died Dec. 29, 97, married A. Phillips Cook, and left one child, Flip Champlin. Mrs. Champlin and her daughterare members of the Central Baptist Church.

BYRON CLARK, who has been active ir lu- cational circles by his very successful work ; a teacher, and who is now engaged in farming ( his native place, was born at his present resider in Niantic, New London county, Feb. 18, 1861. his

A.R. Champlin

229

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

f n came into the possession of his great-grand- f. er, Nathaniel Clark, in 1816, and the present h se was erected by Nathaniel Clark, the grand- få er, in 1840.

Nathaniel Clark came to Waterford with his nts when he was but twelve years of age. Upon

P. hing manhood he engaged in farming, and in re ti became the owner of the homestead. He mar-

ri Fanny Johnson.

onathan Smith Clark, son of Nathaniel, was bo near the present home in September, 1824. His eal school days were passed in East Lyme, and he copleted his schooling in Bacon Academy, at Col- chter, Conn. He remained upon the home farm er. ged in its cultivation until he was forty years of ag when he removed to New London, and there for the years was in the employ of Henry Bill, of Novich. For some time he was also engaged in the mercantile business in Palmertown, but in 1869 heleturned to Niantic and was there engaged in far ing. In 1876 he removed to Colchester, Conn., whye he made his home until his death, which oc- d in 1885. His widow still resides there. Mr. cu Cl :: was married in North Lyme, to Mary Stark, iter of Abiel Stark. Their four children were :

dai By ano Theron, assistant registrar of Brown Univer-

n; Homer; Mary Fanny, of Boston, Mass .;

sit Providence, R. I. Jonathan S. Clark was a nent man in whatever community he made his

prc ho1 Politically he was a Cleveland Democrat. Wie in East Lyme he held the office of selectman, and Iso a number of minor offices. He was always on side of progress and firmly believed it a good

citi. i's duty to be interested in the improvements of

town. To his energy and wisdom is due bea ful Pennsylvania Avenue in Niantic. In his reli us belief he was a member of the Baptist Chi h.

ron Clark received his early training in the schos of New London, Montville, and Niantic, latesttending Bacon Academy in Colchester, Conn., and ie Connecticut Literary Institute at Suffield, Con sity deat cour

completing his education in Brown Univer- : Providence. On account of his father's he was unable to complete his University but at once set to work to make good use of the

ceptional advantages that had been granted him. He began teaching in Colchester, and later ron, and afterward taught in the schools of in E Colc the

ster, Lebanon and Southington, and he has tinction of being the first teacher in the pres- ent 1 Iding in Niantic. He was very successful in this he hà a go( him 1

rk. Naturally thorough in all he undertakes, mastered the first principles of learning, and command of clear, concise language enabled convey accurately his meaning to others. He mado rente

years

is home in Colchester until 1888, when he the old home farm, and at the end of two urchased the property, which he has since improved.

great N

Clark has always been a useful citizen, and

he has given his town good service by his work on the board of relief and on the school committee. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Baptist Church at Niantic. On March 20, 1889, Mr. Clark was married, in East Lyme, to Miss Mary Sheffield Lee, daughter of John Lee. This union has been blessed with one child, Lillian Lee, born Sept. 28, 1890.

RUSSELL GARDNER WOODWARD, in whose death at his home on Franklin street, Nor- wich, Nov. 1, 1900, the community sustained the loss of a valued citizen and a useful member of society, passed forty years of his life in New London county, Connecticut.

Born Sept. 6, 1832, in Dresden, Maine, Mr. Woodward came of the best New England stock, and of the earliest families of the Massachusetts Colonies. Several of his ancestors figured as pa- triots in the war of the Revolution, and some were of the most wealthy and influential of their locality.

The deceased was a son of Levi Woodward, and on his paternal side descended in the eighth genera- tion from Richard Woodward, of (Watertown) Mass., the emigrant settler, from whom his lineage is through George, John, Daniel, Daniel (2), Sam- uel and Levi Woodward. These generations in de- tail and in the order named follow.

(I) Richard Woodward, aged forty-five, wife Rose, aged fifty, son, George, aged thirteen years, and son John, aged thirteen years, embarked at Ips- wich, England, April 10, 1634, in the "Elizabeth," and came to America. Mr. Woodward's name is on the list of earliest proprietors of Watertown, Mass. He was admitted a freeman in 1635. His wife Rose died Oct. 6, 1662, and he soon after mar- ried Ann Gates, widow of Stephen, of Cambridge. He died Feb. 16, 1665, aged seventy-six years. His widow, Ann, died in Stow, Feb. 5, 1683.

(II) George Woodward, son of Richard, had eight children by his first wife Mary. He married (second) Aug. 17, 1659, Elizabeth Hammond, daughter of Thomas, of Newton. Elizabeth inher- ited from her father 100 acres of land in what is now Brookline, Mass. The children by Elizabeth were: George, Thomas, Elizabeth, Nathaniel and Sarah. The father died May 31, 1676. His widow remarried.

(III) John Woodward, born March 28, 1649, married (first) Rebecca, daughter of Richard Rob- bins, of Cambridge. After her death he married (second) July 7, 1686, Sarah Bancroft, of Reading. He built a house on land given him and his wife, Rebecca, by her father, in Cambridge village, in which house his descendants for generations lived. He died Nov. 3, 1732. His wife, Sarah, died Sept. 22, 1723. His children by Rebecca were John, John (2), Susanna, Richard, Rebecca, Daniel, Re- becca (2), Daniel (2), Rebecca (3), Mary, Jona- than, Joseph, Ebenezer and Abigail.

(IV) Daniel Woodward, born Sept. 24, 1681,

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

married, Jan. 27, 1704, Elizabeth Greely, and their children were: Esther, Elizabeth, Mary, Jonas and Daniel. Mr. Woodward was for several years selectman of his town. He died in 1749, and his widow in 1750.

(V) Daniel Woodward (2), born Sept. 14, 1714, married, in 1739, Mary Stone, and their children were : Lois, Samuel, Elisha, Mary, Philemon, Mary, Daniel and Esther. Mr. Woodward died in 1774, and Mrs. Woodward passed away in 1776.

(VI) Samuel Woodward, born Sept. 25, 1742, married, in 1763, Deborah, daughter of Michael Jackson, and their children were: Asa, Caty, Sam- uel, Moses, Moses (2), Matthias, Joseph, Benjamin, Daniel, Caty (2), Mary and Michael. The mother of these died in 1785, and he married (second), in 1786, Priscilla, a sister of his first wife, and she bore him two sons, Amos and Levi, and two daughters, Deborah and Priscilla. Mr. Woodward was a sol- dier in the Revolution. He served as a sergeant in the company of Amariah Fuller, which marched to Cambridge at the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775, and participated in the battle of Concord, and at Dorchester Heights. For five days in March, 1776, he served as sergeant under the same captain, in the regiment commanded by Col. Thatcher. For eight months in 1775, he was in the company of Capt. Nathan Fuller, in the 37th Massachusetts regiment, commanded by Col. William Bond. In 1777 he loaned the town £120 to pay the soldiers.

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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 53

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