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 6

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 6

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On June 23, 1892, Mr. Osgood was married, by 2

Rev. Dr. S. H. Howe, to Miss Mary Ruth Lee, of Manlius, N. Y., who survives him. He was also survived by his twin sister, Miss Jane E. Osgood (now deceased), and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Osgood is a most estimable lady, and, like her husband, deeply interested in works of a benevolent and charitable nature. She has been connected with the W. W. Backus Hospital since it was established, and is chairman of the advisory committee of that institution. Mrs. Osgood is a member of the local chapter of the D. A. R.

On Oct. 7, 1899, Mr. Osgood and wife left Nor- wich for Niagara Falls, where Mr. Osgood attended the National convention of wholesale druggists. On the return trip he was taken ill, but not regarding his cold as serious proceeded to Manlius, N. Y., near Syracuse, where Mrs. Osgood resided before her marriage. There he was again prostrated, and be- came sick with penumonia, which, with heart failure caused his death, on Oct. 22. His health had not been good for the last several years. The death of a citizen whose interests were so numerous, whose sympathies were so wide, caused universal grief in Norwich and throughout that part of the State in general, and many were the expressions of sorrow at his demise. A number of prominent citizens met the remains at the depot, and all honor was shown to one who had throughout life shown himself worthy and highly deserving. During the funeral almost every place of business in the city was closed, and the court house bell was tolled for half an hour at noon that day-the first time such an honor was ever paid to a private citizen. There were many other unusual marks of respect. At the funeral services in the church were members of the city and town government, bank officials and representatives from the various organizations to which Mr. Osgood belonged, and the members of Sedgwick Post, No. I, G. A. R., were present in a body, in citizens dress. Relatives, friends, neighbors, business associates, employes-all came to do honor to the memory of one who had ever commanded their respect and affection, and a most touching address was delivered by his pastor, Rev. Dr. Howe. Among the resolu- tions of sympathy passed by the organizations with which he had been connected, Cooley's Weekly of Friday, Oct. 27, 1899, published those from the common council, the Norwich Board of Trade, Sedg- wick Post, No. I, G. A. R., the Masonic Temple Corporation, Hugh H. Osgood Lodge, I. O. O. F., M. U., the Wauregan Steam Fire Engine Company, the Dime Savings Bank, the Norwich Savings So- ciety, the Thames National Bank, the First National Bank, the Norwich Druggists Association, the Un- cas Paper Company and the Crescent Fire Arms Company. A few extracts from these will not be out of place in this connection. From the Masonic Temple Corporation :

At a meeting of the directors of the Masonic Temple Corporation, held in Masonic Temple Monday evening, the following minute and vote were unanimously passed :

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

While Hon. H. H. Osgood, 32d degree, was not a director, nor even an incorporator, of this corporation, it is felt that his death should receive something more than a passing notice from us. In spite of the almost innumera- ble interests, public, corporate or private, which demanded his attention, he took a deep interest in the formation and success of this corporation, subscribing liberally for our bonds, willingly consenting to act as trustee for the bond- holders, in which capacity his autograph appears upon all the bonds.

He was ever ready with his mature judgment, to give us the benefit of his vast experience at the time of our organization and later in the conduct of affairs, and the success which has attended the corporation was a source of deep gratification to him.

It is therefore votcd: That a page in the records of this corporation be set apart to the memory of Hon. Hugh Henry Osgood, the upright citizen, the incorruptible public official, the firm and devoted friend, in short the consistent Mason, with all that is implied thereby.

Official :

ARTHUR H. BREWER,

CHAS. B. CHAPMAN, Secretary. President.

The Thames National Bank :

By the death of the Hon. Hugh H. Osgood there is lost to the state and community a patriotic and public- spirited citizen of the best type, to our business interests an exemplar of enterprise, thrift and honorable conduct of affairs, to the poor friend ever sympathizing, helpful and generous.

Full of years and honors he has gone to his rest with the respect, the esteem and the love of all to whom he was known. No man has been more widely identified with all the varied interests of a community, with its political and social life, its churches and schools, its manufacturing, mercantile and financial enterprises, and in all he was a leader, not by reason of self seeking, but by the common consent of his fellows, who have recognized in him a superiority in wisdom, in self control, in tact and disin- terestedness.

Kindly in heart, and genial in bearing, he invited con- fidence and from the stores of his large experience, gave counsel to the inexperienced or perplexed. No measure for the public welfare, no plan to relieve private distress, but enlisted his ready sympathy and active assistance.

Always progressive he kept pace with the advance of the age, and in appreciation of every material improvement in social, scientific and industrial affairs he was as one entering upon a career and desirous of equipping himself with the best instruments of success. Large minded and far seeing, he wrought for the best interests of the com- munity in which he lived, and among the successful insti- tutions of his town, there are few which do not bear the impress of his energy, knowledge and public spirit.

In voicing its own severe loss this board but joins in sympathy with a community which is bereaved of its foremost citizen.

Voted: That this banking house be closed during the hours of the funeral and that the directors attend the services in a body.

CHAS. W. GALE, Cashier.

The First National Bank :

The death of Hon. Hugh H. Osgood has fallen upon this community with suddenness, and with almost par- alyzing force. On every side spontaneous expressions of respect and affection are heard, and sincere regret that this community has lost its first citizen.

No eulogistic expression can completely portray his character, which had for its broad foundation truth, honor and integrity and all those characteristics which marked the moral, the social, the religious and the business life of an upright man. :

He was in touch with and his force was felt in b. ness enterprises to a greater extent than is the choice possibility with few men only. He yielded his persc comfort and pleasure at the solicitation of friends, v leaned upon him in association for advice and assistai In business his was notably the strong arm.

In church and school, and in the broader walks of 1 he was an intelligent, sympathetic and strong leader, supporter of all that is good and true.

In charities the kindest sympathies and the gener( impulses of a Christian philanthropist took expression the deeds done, the number of which none can know.

Joining in the universal expression of sorrow, and sympathy and love for a true friend, this board desi: to record their appreciation of the man, and their ple; ure in having so long enjoyed his friendship and ass ciation, as well as his valuable advice and co-operation its affairs.

It is further ordered that the bank be closed on t afternoon of Thursday, 26th, and that the directors atte the funeral services.

F. S. JEROME, Cashier.

Following is the editorial which appeared in tl paper mentioned, and in which the foregoing n tices appeared :

In the death of Hon. Hugh H. Osgood, Norwich, a community, suffers an almost irreparable loss, that universally recognized and sincerely felt. The many lar business interests with which he was so long and close identified are deprived of a wise counsellor and hundre of individuals mourn the departure of a personal frier whose substantial aid has time and again been unoster tatiously tendered them.

Col. Osgood was a self-made man, who achieved tl highest measure of usefulness and influence in both publ and private life. He was successful not only in promoting business enterprises but also in winning by honest an able effort the hearty esteem of his fellow citizens. Fir: in his own convictions, he was yet tolerant of opposing opinions, and his advice for years had been sought by me of affairs in all walks of life. His going out creates vacar: cies many and varied. He will be sadly missed, yet th genuine public sorrow that marks his passage from th scenes of his life work is mellowed by the realization tha his years of activity were prolonged nearly a decade beyon the allotted life of man. His work is done, and the mem ory of it will long be gratefully cherished by his appre ciative townsmen.

HUBBARD. For nearly two hundred and seventy years the name of Hubbard has been a conspicuous one in New England history. Perhaps for a century and a quarter the name has been continuously identi fied with the history of Norwich, where either to gether, or in turn, the posterity of Capt. Russel Hubbard has figured prominently, especially in com- mercial and manufacturing lines. Such names as Capt. Russell, Thomas, Amos H., James L., and Charles L. Hubbard, are indelibly stamped upon the community in the development of the city's natural resources and its commercial and manufacturing growth. The ancestors of Capt. Russell Hubbard, and the allied families by marriage of his posterity, have been those of the best of New England. Of the Hubbards, many of the early generations were graduates of either Harvard or Yale, and men of the learned professions, as will be observed in the following family sketch of the Norwich Hubbards

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

d their lineage. From William Hubbard, of Bos- 1, the emigrant ancestor, the present Charles L. ibbard's lineage is through Rev. William, John, v. John, Daniel, Capt. Russell, Thomas, Amos H., d James L.

(I) William Hubbard was born about 1595. He is graduated from Cambridge University, Eng- id, in 1620. and in 1635 sailed from London, in e ship "Defence," coming from Tendring Hun- ed, County Essex, and landed at Boston. He was companied by his wife Judith (Knapp), daughter John and Martha ( Blosse) Knapp, and six chil- en, namely: Martha, Mary, John, William, Na- aniel and Richard. Mr. Hubbard was made a eeman in 1638, and was Deputy to the General burt for six years between 1638 and 1646. He was e founder and principal benefactor of the Ipswich ammar School in 1636, and there held many im- rtant offices and was considered a very learned an. He removed to Boston in 1652, where he died ug. 19, 1670.

(II) Rev. William Hubbard, born in 1621, in bunty Essex, England, was graduated from Har- ird College in 1642, in the first class ever graduated om an American college. He also studied medicine connection with his other work there. He was ade a freeman in 1653. He married about 1646, ary (or Margaret) Rogers, the only daughter of ev. Nathaniel and Margaret (Crane) Rogers, rmerly of Coggeshall, County Essex, England. Mr. ubbard began preaching in Ipswich, Mass., in 1656, ad was ordained in 1658. Many of his sermons ive been printed. He was the author of a number works, among them "Indian Wars" (1677), and History of New England." He remained pastor of e Ipswich Church until 1703, resigning owing to lvanced age. He died in September, 1704. He id married (second) Mary, widow of Samuel earce. His children born to the first marriage were argaret, Nathaniel and John.

(III) John Hubbard, born in 1648 in Ipswich, ass., united with the Church in 1673. He married, 1671, Ann Leverett, born Nov. 23, 1652, daughter John and Sarah (Sedgwick) Leverett. Mr. Hub- ird and his family removed to Boston in 1680, here he soon became a leading merchant, and he as for many years treasurer of Suffolk county. e died Jan. 8, 1709-10. His children were: Mary, arah, John, William, Nathaniel and Richard.

(IV) Rev. John Hubbard, born Jan. 9, 1677, Boston, was graduated from Harvard College in 595, and in 1698 he was settled as pastor of a lurch in Jamaica, L. I. He was a Congregational ergyman, and the first buried there. On June 12, 701, he married Mabel Russell, only daughter of ev. Daniel Russell and his wife Mehetabel (Wyl- ;), the latter a daughter of Samuel and grand- aughter of Gov. George Wyllis, of Hartford. Rev. hubbard's children were: John and Daniel.

(V) Daniel Hubbard was born probably in New aven, Conn., April 3, 1706, and was graduated

from Yale in 1727. On Aug. 13 (or 18), 1731, he married Martha, younger daughter of John and Mehetabel (Chandler) Coit, of New London, Conn., and settled in that town in the practice of law. He was appointed sheriff of the county in 1735, and so continued until his death, March 24, 1741-2, at the age of thirty-six. He left three sons and two daugh- ters. His widow married Thomas, son of Nathaniel Greene, of Boston, Sept. 6, 1744, by whom she had four children ; she was left again a widow in 1763, and later resided in Norwich, Conn., dying in 1784, at the age of seventy-eight. Daniel Hubbard's chil- dren were: Russell, born in 1732; Lucretia, born in 1734; Daniel, born in 1736; Elizabeth, born in 1738; and William, born in 1740.

(VI) Capt. Russell Hubbard, the eldest child of Daniel Hubbard and Martha (Coit) Hubbard, was born in New London, Conn., June 28, 1732. When he was ten years of age his father died, and two vears later his mother married Thomas Greene, of Boston. Mr. Hubbard was graduated from Yale College in 1751, and settled as a merchant in his native town, and was largely interested in the ship- ping trade of that port; he had previously gone in person on some voyages, as shown by his title of "Captain." His house and shop being burnt by the British in 1781, he then removed to Norwich, where he died Aug. 5, 1785, in his fifty-fourth year. The inventory of his estate amounted to £2,300, and in- cluded sixty volumes of books. He married in Bris- tol, R. I., on Jan. 30, 1755 (or 1754), Mary, daughter of Ebenezer and Mary (Prentice Coit) Gray, then of New London, formerly of Newport, by whom he had four daughters and two sons who grew to ma- turity ; of the daughters, one married Elijah Backus (Yale, 1777), and another married his classmate, Ebenezer Bushnell. The Hubbards of Norwich are a branch of the New London family and it of the Boston Hubbards. The family is one of distinction in New England, where it has figured conspicuously for nearly 270 years. The Norwich branch has been especially prominent in commercial and manufactur- ing lines and this point has been their field of opera- tion since about 1781. Such names as Capt. Russell Hubbard and James L. Hubbard, Thomas Hubbard, and Amos Hallam Hubbard, men all now deceased. and that of the son of James L. Hubbard-Charles L. Hubbard-have been conspicuous in Norwich history a century and a quarter. Russell Hubbard's children were : Mary, born in 1756; Thomas, born in 1758; Lucretia, born in 1762; Russell, born in 1764; Martha, born about 1766; and Susan, born in 1768.

(VII) Thomas Hubbard, born in 1758, married in 1781, Mary Hallam, born in 1760, daughter of Amos and Sarah (Denison) Hallam, of New Lon- don, Conn., and resided in New London and Nor- wich. He died in 1808, and she in 1825. Their chil- dren were: Thomas, born in 1783; Russell, born in 1785 ; and Amos Hallam, born in 1791.

(VIII) Amos Hallam Hubbard, born in 1791,

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

married, in 1821, Eliza Lanman, born in 1800, daughter of Hon. James and Mary Anne (Chan- dler ) Lanman. Mr. Hubbard died Dec. 17, 1865, and Mrs. Hubbard passed away April 7, 1872. Amos Hubbard was one of the leading and wealthiest citi- zens of eastern Connecticut. In 1817, according to Miss Caulkins, Amos H. Hubbard returned to his native town of Norwich from Batavia, Java, where he had been living for about five years. In 1818, in company with his brother, Russell Hubbard, he established the business of papermaking at the Falls, removing to Greeneville in 1860. On Dec. 14, 1827, he bought from James Lanman the land on which the new postoffice is located, and there built the massive and elegant residence which he occupied during the rest of his life. Not only was this, at the time it was built, the finest residence in this section, but in the entire city.

The present A. H. Hubbard Company of Nor- wich, of which company Charles L. Hubbard is president and treasurer, is the legitimate successor of Christopher Leffingwell, the first maker of paper in Connecticut. He began the manufacture of paper above the Falls of Yantic in 1766. It is also the suc- cessor of Andrew Huntington, who began making paper below the falls in 1790. In 1811 the executors of the Leffingwell estate sold the mill property to Russell Hubbard and others. Mr. Hubbard pur- chased the interests of his partners in 1815, and in 1818 Amos H. Hubbard bought of Andrew Hunt- ington the paper mill below the Falls. In 1829 Amos H. Hubbard placed and operated the first Fourdrinier machine made in America. Faper had been previously made by liand, a sheet at a time. After the land adjoining each mill had been in- creased by further purchase, in 1837, Russell Hub- bard and Amos H. Hubbard (brothers) each con- veyed their several mills to the firm then formed, to be known as R. & A. H. Hubbard. This partnership and ownership continued for twenty years, and until the death of Russell Hubbard, whose executors con- veyed his share in all the mills to Amos H. Hub- bard. In 1860 Amos Hubbard bought of the Nor- wich Water Power Company the land now used by the A. H. Hubbard Company, at Greeneville, and moved the business. In 1861 he conveyed the mills at the Falls to the Falls Company. Amos H. Hub- bard died in 1865, and his son, James L. Hubbard, continued the business under the name of A. H. Hubbard & Company.

(IX) James L. Hubbard, born Dec. 25, 1833, received a substantial education. . In early youth he entered the employ of the firm of R. & A. H. Hub- bard at the Falls, and after the death of his uncle, Russell Hubbard, he became associated with his father in the firm of A. H. Hubbard & Co. (the business having been removed to Greeneville), un- der which name the business of manufacturing of paper was carried on the rest of his life. He thor- oughly understood the paper manufacturing business in all its details. Mr. Hubbard died Dec. 30, 1890,

after having suffered from poor health for mar years. He was a very well known man in his lin and accumulated a large property. He was a d rector of the Thames National Bank. Politically 1 was a Republican, but his interest never extended 1 that of accepting office. He was interested in th erection of the Park Congregational Church, an presented to that society the splendid organ there which was made to his order abroad. He was a attendant of Christ Church, Norwich, and a ver liberal supporter.

On April 12, 1854, Mr. Hubbard married Mis Charlotte P. Learned, a native of Norwich, bori May 15, 1835, daughter of Ebenezer and Matild: Denison (Hurlbut) Learned. Mrs. Hubbard wa an excellent woman, of many virtues. She suffered from poor health for a number of years previou: to her death, which occurred at her summer home at Eastern Point, Aug. 2, 1891, Their children were : Charles L., who is mentioned below; anc Matilda D., born May 4, 1858, who died May 12 1866.

(X) CHARLES LEARNED HUBBARD, born July 21, 1855, president and treasurer of the A. H. Hub- bard Company, is a leading citizen and one of the most prominent members of the Masonic fraternity in the State. He was educated in the schools of his native town, and at the age of nineteen years entered the employ of his father, acquiring a thorough and practical knowledge of the business. His father's poor health made it necessary that the active work of the business in later years should be attended to by Charles L., who after the death of his father became president of the company, continuing as such to the present time. He is also a director of the Thames National Bank, the Norwich Savings So- ciety, the Occum Water Power Company, and the Berkshire Cotton Manufacturing Company.

Mr. Hubbard is a member of St. James Lodge, No. 23, F. & A. M .; Franklin Chapter, No. 4. R. A. M .; Franklin Council, No. 3, R. & S. M .; and is past eminent commander of Columbian Com- mandery, No. 4, Knights Templar, at present serving on the standing committee in that body, and is grand. warden of the Grand Commandery of Connecticut. In Scottish Rite Masonry he has been equally pro- ficient. He is a member of King Solomon Grand Lodge of Perfection; Van Rensselaer Council, Princes of Jerusalem; Norwich Sovereign Chapter of Rose Croix ; Connecticut Sovereign Consistory of Norwich; on September 18, 1894, was made a member of the Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty-third and Last Degree for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction ; and on Sept. 15, 1903, he was crowned an active member of the Thirty-third degree and also made Deputy of State of Connecticut. He is a member of the board of directors of The Masonic Temple Corporation. Mr. Hubbard is vice-president of Backus Hospital ; President of the Norwich Club; a Fellow of the Norwich Free Academy ; member of the New York

Moses Piccal

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Yacht Club ; of the Arcanum Club ; the Chelsea Boat Club; the Citizens' Corps of the Grand Army; the American Paper and Pulp Association; and a di- rector in the United States Finishing Company. Politically he is a Republican, and has repeatedly declined candidacies on local and State tickets.

On June 6, 1877, Mr. Hubbard was married to Katherine Frances Mather, daughter of Capt. Samuel and Frances (Tiffany) Mather, and they have had three children : ( I) Rosalie was educated in the Norwich public schools and select schools at New York. She is a member of Connecticut So- ciety of Colonial Dames of America. (2) Samuel M. is deceased. (3) James Lanman is attending Yale University, Class of 1907. Mr. Hubbard is a member of Christ Church, and one of the wardens.

MOSES PIERCE, whose death, Aug. 18, 1900, removed from Norwich, one of her most useful and progressive citizens, was born in Pawtucket, R. I., then known as North Providence, July 3, 1808, eldest of the eight children-five boys and three girls-of Benjamin B. and Susan (Walker) Pierce, the former a native of East Greenwich, R. I., and a tanner by trade, but later in life a cotton manufac- turer.

Moses Pierce received his literary training in the district schools of his native State, between the ages of four and twelve, at the latter age beginning work as a chore boy in a factory store, at the muni- ficent wages of seventy-five cents per week. At the age of fourteen years he became the bookkeeper, and from that time until he was twenty he was en- gaged in that and other capacities in the cotton mill business, thereby gaining a thorough knowledge of cotton manufacturing. In 1828 he located in Willi- mantic, Conn., and as superintendent took charge of a small cotton mill, one of the first in that now thriv- ing manufacturing center. The bleaching business had begun to attract attention, and at the solicitation of men of capital Mr. Pierce became the junior member of an enterprising firm, and built, started and superintended mills in Rhode Island and Mass- achusetts.

In October, 1839, on the invitation of the late Jedediah Leavens, Mr. Pierce came to Norwich to consider the outlook for the bleaching business. The following May, having concluded his other en- gagements, he secured a lease of water from the Water Power Company, and the ground was broken for the first mill on the site of what was, until re- cent years, the Norwich Bleaching & Calendering Company. On Sept. 10, 1840, the machinery started, and the history of that great company was begun. From 1840 to 1888 Mr. Pierce was the real head of, first, the company, and, afterward, the corpora- tion.

In 1863 Mr. Pierce, with about twenty others, chiefly of Norwich, united to form the Occum Com- pany, to acquire lands and flowage rights which should enable them to control the Shetucket river

from the tail race of the Baltic mill to the upper end of the Greeneville Pond. Three years later Taft- ville began its career. Associated with Mr. Pierce in this enterprise were E. P. and Cyrus Taft, of Providence, and James L. Arnold, of Plainfield. A charter was obtained from the Legislature, though violently opposed because of the large amount of money involved, permitting a capital of $1,500,000. The stock .was marketed, and when the company was organized Mr. Pierce became a direc- tor, holding this place until 1887, when, by a sale of certain stock, the management passed into other hands.

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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 6

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