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 72

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 72

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

(VII) RANDALL BROWNE, one of the active and progressive business men of Mystic, town of Ston- ington, Conn., and a direct descendant from the two old families mentioned above, the Browne fan- ily and the Holmes family, was born Dec. 18, 1851, at the old homestead. On Dec. 4, 1875, he married Frances C. Leeds, daughter of William Enoch Leeds of Old Mystic, Conn. They have one daughter :

(VIII) Harriet Leeds, and she married J. Elmer Newbury of Mystic, and to them has been born a son :

(IX) Randall Browne.

Randall Browne, of the seventh generation, spent his boyhood days on the home farm, and was educated in the district and public schools of Mys- tic. After leaving school, he clerked in a fruit store in New York, later in a coal office in Brook- lyn, and for five years was in a dry-goods store in South Norwalk and New London. In 1875 he bought a fruit, confectionery, ice cream and stationery store at the present site of the Morgan Bros.' estab- lishment, where he continued until 1876. At that time he bought out the Mystic Twine Company, and he now manufactures all kinds of twine used in the fishing industry, sending his product through- out the country. He has worked this business up into a very fine one, and his volume of trade is con- stantly extending.

Fraternally Mr. Browne is a member of Har- ity and Relief Lodge, F. & A. M. (in which

, is a past master), Benevolence Chapter, Mystic (fin- cil, and Palestine Commandery, King Sol don Grand Lodge of Perfection, Van Rensselaer (mn- cil of Princes of Jerusalem, Norwich Chapt İm- Rose Croix, Connecticut Consistory, Pyramid ple, Mystic Shrine, at Bridgeport. He orgaled the Mystuxet Lodge, Knights of Pythias, in M. tic, 26, all and is a member of the Stonington Lodge, N I. O. O. F .; and Gary Lodge, A. O. U. W. these lodges he is very popular. He has been fled upon to hold responsible positions in the city and is a member of the Executive committee of fire is las- und all District, and has served as chief engineer. a member of the Mystic band, and has been its urer for many years. All in all, Mr. Browne one of the most representative men of his locality enjoys the respect and unqualified esteem who know him.

(VII) JEREMIAH HOLMES BROWNE, elder 1 5th- er of Randall, and long since recognized as ( of the best farmers of Stonington, Conn., and ant of intelligence and ability, was born Oct. 17, 18 Stonington, and lived on the home farm until 1- vas nineteen years of age, when he started to lea: the machinist's trade with Cottrell & Babcock. ever, the war breaking out, in 1862, he enlist. in an independent cavalry company from Rhod |Isl- and for three months' service. As his pants would not sign the papers he could not be mu fred in. On Aug. 15, 1862, he once more enlisted this time in the Ist Rhode Island Cavalry, and serv y for two years with the Army of the Potomac, ar fone year under Sheridan, in the Valley of the SI fan- doah, his regiment seeing much service. A the battle of Cedar Creek he was dispatch beare and always served bravely and gallantly. In 18 he was mustered out at Winchester, Va., and ret ned to Stonington. On account of the ill hea of his father, Mr. Browne remained upon the rn, and later he assumed the entire management, fich he has since ably conducted. Thoroughly fler- standing his work and taking a deep interesthi it, he has developed the home farm and brought to a high state of cultivation.

JOHN E. McDONALD, one of the incor rat- ors and now superintendent of the Robert I mer & Son Shipbuilding and Marine Railway Cor any, of Noank, Conn., comes of a good Scotch an try, and by the exercise of the sterling traits c that wonderful nation has attained honorable a: re- sponsible place in the world of achievement His identification with his present company date.pack nearly forty years, and in that time he has hel ous positions requiring high ability and exact : fowl- vari- edge, and all closely concerned with the geral management. Probably nowhere else in Colecti- cut will be found an industry so much an in gral part of a town's business life as is the cas with

31I

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Palre shipyards at Noank. The history of instil ion that plays such an important part in omn cial thrift and prosperity of a community, ractilly a history of that community, and is a history of those who have devoted :ars of their lives in the upbuilding of itution. Mr. McDonald was born March St. Peter's, Prince Edward Island.

lly best an i

Che lily of McDonald is an old, as well as the nun 1 Mc settl Isle gratir. ous, one on Prince Edward Island, where nald, the great-grandfather of our sub- in the year 1780. He was a resident of Uist, Invernessshire, Scotland, and, on to America with his wife and several Iren, le settled at Glencoe, then called Cable d, Price Edward Island, and there resided the of hi ife, being engaged as a farmer.

Allen cDonald, the eldest child of the emigrant 1, wastwelve years old when the family came to erica, id his life thereafter was spent in the ity 1er by years is wiy

which his father settled. He was a ccupation and lived to the age of eighty- He was three times married, and each bore him children, he becoming the fa- of e:[ teen children. His first wife was Eu- mia N Kinnon, and among her children was a

John

olin I Donald, son of Allen, was born in 1806, on the north side of Prince Edward Isl- as a sea captain in the coasting trade, also rked as a ship builder. Some of the commanded were built by him and a

els he s house was at St. Peter's near his birth , anchere his death occurred when he was y nir herlaı ighty chil

y years of age. He married Christina whom he survived a few years, she be- our years old at the time of her death. n were : Euphemia, who married Arch- Mc

nzie, and resides on the homestead; whe ied in infancy; Mary (2), wife of An- gs, and residing at St. Peter's ; Michael , engaged in the ship building business ohn E .; Eliza Ann, wife of John Mac- New London; Catherine, who married

Cumn Noal ystic ; ld, o: 1 ey, of Gloucester, Mass .; Anastasia, of Ducan Gillis, of St. Peter's; and Matilda, lied y ng. hn E

McDonald grew to manhood on Prince rd Is He

id, and there received his early educa- rned the ship building trade from his ning his apprenticeship at the age of , In 1865, upon becoming of age, he n, where he worked until June 2, 1866, ited at Noank, Conn., taking up his Palmer Shipyards at that place. Thus a collection with that firm that has contin- nearly forty years, and during which advanced from an ordinary mechanic 1 of superintendent, which position of hsibilit he has occupied for over thirty years.

This firm, now known as the Robert Palmer & Son Shipbuilding and Marine Railway Company, is one of the best known in their line in America, and has a reputation second to none. Mr. McDonald came. to this yard with nothing but his ability and true worth to recommend him. What honors have come to him have been in recognition of his merit and reliability. He is a self-made man in every way.

In 1869, at Boston, Mass., Mr. McDonald was married to Miss Sarah McEachen, of Prince Ed- ward Island. Two sons and two daughters have been born to them: (I) Annie Christina, known as Sister Mary Rose, in the Meriden Convent of Mercy, is now in the New London Convent. (2) John Francis graduated from Bulkeley high school, and from Holy Cross College, class of 1897, after which he spent two years in Montreal, and two years in Baltimore, where he attended St. Mary's Seminary and was ordained priest there Dec. 22, 1902; he is an assistant at St. Mary's Church, Bridgeport, Conn. (3) James Alfred is with Brownell, Fields & Co., Providence, R. I., and re- sides at Hartford, Conn. ; he married Beulah Ketch- man, and has one child, Virginise Rose Mary. (4) Gertie M. resides at home.

Politically Mr. McDonald is a stanch Democrat, and fraternally a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In religious matters he is a faithful member of the Church of Rome, formerly being connected with St. Patrick's parish at Mystic, but when the handsome new church edifice was fin- ished May 2, 1903, at Noank, he transferred his membership to that parish. He is a man widely known, and sincerely respected by all who know him.

ADELBERT R. YOUNG, to whose business acumen and executive ability, in his capacity of superintendent at the mills of the Ashland Cotton Company, much of the prosperity of that successful concern is due, was born in Natick, R. I., Oct. 19, 1845, son of Horace P. and Eliza Young.

Horace P. Young was endowed by nature with a keen insight into the intricacies of machinery, and for many years was a millman in Rhode Island. For twenty-five years he was overseer of the card- ing room of A. & W. Sprague, in Natick, and for fifteen years was with J. & W. Slater in the same ca- pacity, in Jewett City, Connecticut.

Adelbert R. Young was but four years of age when brought by his parents to Jewett City, where his education was obtained in the public schools. After he was ten years old his attendance at school was limited to the winter terms, and the remainder of the year he worked in the mill until he was seven- teen. At that age he entered the Franklin street armory, at Norwich, to learn the business of rifling gun barrels, a trade he followed until he learned the machinist's trade, after which he returned to Jewett

to Bo he 1 in th

iroug nie w: posi

, beg n yea

ler.

lenco He

312

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

City, where he was for a time employed in the Je- wett City Mills machine shop. The next four years he spent as tool maker in Parker Brothers' gun shop, in Meriden. At this time Phineas Boyle, superintendent of the Slater mill at Jewett City, sought his services, and he returned to that city, continuing there until failing health warned him that a change of work was necessary. On Sept. 18, 1877, he entered the employ of the Ashland Cotton Com- pany, by engaging to put a patent motion on a loom. When the master mechanic was retired, Mr. Young was given his position, which he filled with signal ability until March, 1891, when he assumed the re- sponsibility of superintendent, the position he so ably fills today.

On Nov. 4, 1867, Mr. Young was married to Phebe E. Hazen, of Sprague, daughter of Charles T. and Mary (Armstrong) Hazen, and they have two children, Mabel A. and Irene H., who are young ladies of culture. Miss Mabel A. Young graduated from the grammar school of Jewett City and East Greenwich (R. I.) Academy, and is now engaged as a substitute teacher in the public schools of Jewett City. She received vocal instruction un- der Mrs. Sleight and Prof. Heinrich, and is a so- prano singer in the Westfield Congregational Church at Danielson. Miss Irene H. Young re- ceived her education in the grammar school of Je- wett City and Cushing Academy at Ashburnham, Massachusetts.

Politically Mr. Young is a stanch Republican, and in spite of his constant oversight of the mills he has found time to take a keen and working interest in public affairs. He has served on the board of burgesses, and was a member of the committee ap- pointed to procure the city's charter. He was also a member of the water works committee. In all the positions he has held he has given entire satisfaction to all, regardless of party affiliations, as he is pains- taking in the discharge of his duties, and ever cour- teous to all. Fraternally he belongs to Mt. Vernon Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and has served as its treas- urer ; he is a trustee of Reliance Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he is a charter member, and he also belongs to Ashland Lodge, A. O. U. W. Mr. Young is a member of the Second Ecclesiastical Society's com- mittee.

ANGUS PARK, a successful and enterprising woolen manufacturer of Hanover, in the town of Sprague, is a son of William and Catherine (Camp- bell) Park. The family record will be found else- where in this volume in the sketch of William Park, a brother of Angus.

Mr. Park was born Jan. 27, 1859, in Galashiels, Scotland, and there resided until the age of four- teen, when the family moved to Sherbrooke, Can- ada. His opportunities for securing an education were confined to the common schools which he at- tended until he was thirteen years old. At that age

he went to work in a woolen mill, and by his inis- try and skill worked his way to the position of or- seer of the weaving in the mill of the Paton Miu- facturing Co., the largest woolen mill in Ca la, having at that time 140 people under his dire jiu- pervision. He was there employed until 1894, he came to East Lyme, Conn., and became sec: firy of the Niantic Manufacturing Co., being asso with an uncle, D. R. Campbell, and brother, W

fed Tım Park. There he remained until August, 1899, gien he severed his connection with that company end purchased the Allen mill and properties at Han fer, which property is now known as the Airlie This mill had been closed for some time and bon- AIIs. sequently was in poor condition. However, th few owner remodeled the mill, and installed nev and modern machinery, at a great outlay of money the mill is now one of the best in this region, ar fthe product is a high grade of woolen and flanne' fit- ing.

In March, 1903, when the Assawaga Cour fny, at Dayville, Conn., was organized, Mr. Park beme its manager and one of its largest stockholder ; In all of his business enterprises he has been su less- ful, through his ability, energy and thorough k wl- edge of his line of business. Having begun the very bottom rung of the ladder he has made hi vay steadily upward, and no man is more high es- teemed than he in the business community of ,ich he is so important a part.

In 1901 Mr. Park erected his handsome hc : in Hanover, which is one of the finest in the own where he and his family are pleasantly located [On Dec. 24, 1880, Mr. Park was married, in Her- brooke, Canada, to Elizabeth Barlow Eadie, digh- ter of George Watt Eadie, a manufacturer of volen goods in Preston, England, who came to Can:fi in 1867, and for many years was a successfu; Iry- goods merchant at Sherbrooke. He is now r red and resides at Norwich, Conn. The children orn to this happy union are: Margaret Alice, Cat rine Campbell and William George.

Mr. Park is a member of Somerset Lodgı No. 34, A. F. & A. M., at Norwich, Franklin Ch ter, Franklin Council and Columbian Commander: He is also a member of the A. O. U. W. and the der of Foresters. In politics he is a Republican In religious views he is a member of Hanover Culgre- gational Church, as are his wife and children and Mr. Park is also choir director.

HON. HENRY RUGGLES, a descendant f an old established New England family, was for any years a successful business man of Norwich and later served as United States Consul at Bardona, Spain, and at Malta. He was of the eighth gjera- tion in direct line from Thomas Ruggles, wl set- tled in America in 1637.

(I) Thomas Ruggles was born in 1584, il sud- bury, Suffolk, England, and married, Nov. 1, 620,

Unique Park

313

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

n Na g, Essex, Mary Curtis. In 1637, they came o Rcf ury, Mass., where Mr. Ruggles died Nov. 6, 16 . His widow survived until Feb. 14, 1674, lying the age of eighty-eight. Thomas Ruggles vas a on of Thomas, grandson of Nicholas, and reat- andson of Thomas Ruggles, all of Sudbury, England.

Suff (I) Capt. Samuel Ruggles, who became a se- and representative in Roxbury, Mass., was

ectma orn i England in 1629. He married (first) Jan. 0, I(, Hannah Fowle, of Charlestown, Mass., nd ( ond) May 26, 1670, Anna Bright, of Wa- His death occurred Aug. 15, 1692.

ertow! (I. Capt. Samuel Ruggles (2), also a select- nan a , 165 er of nd g representative of Roxbury, was born June He married July 8, 1680, Martha, daugh- v. John and Mercy (Dudley) Woodbridge, ddaughter of Gov. Thomas Dudley, a di- ect defendant of Henry I, of France, and his wife Anne, Russia. Capt. Samuel (2), died Feb. 15,

(I Rev. Timothy Ruggles, of Rochester, as born Nov. 3, 1685, and graduated from Harva| College in 1707. He married (first) Mary White. nd (second) on March 26, 1750, Anne th. His death occurred Oct. 24, 1768. He gh rank in the ministry, and had unusual Noody eld a bility a business man. He was more active and fficient han any other individual in promoting the cttlemft of Hardwick, Mass. On behalf of the ropri 's he made several visits to the town, where e such sfully arranged financial matters, and at e san ime ministered to the spiritual needs of the

(V hy R as bo venty- be law enced

Gen. Timothy Ruggles, son of Rev. Tim- gles, and a brother of Edward Ruggles, in Rochester in 17II, and at the age of e graduated at Harvard. His choice of a profession was early made, and he com- actice at Rochester and afterward at Sand- 740. He was so successful in all the cases idertook that his services were continually I in the adjoining counties and other parts ite. He was an eloquent and impressive d was considered the equal of Col. James mous lawyer of the day, being his prin- ;onist in many cases of importance. He re- Hartwick in 1753, and as his law practice d him quite a handsome fortune for those is here he entered upon a style of living rate with his standing and affluence. He 1 out 1 extensive estate, which was the admira- vonder of all in the vicinity, and this he nd embellished as time went on. With

ich, il at he dema the cader tis, a balan ved dl yie ys it mmer

n and large rty es, al

ses in his stable, a deer park of many a pack of hounds at hand, his many visit- wer entertained in princely fashion. He was ige court of Common Pleas in 1756, and until the breaking out of the Revolution was ( of justice of that court. At the same time

this accomplished man was making for himself a reputation as a soldier second to no other in Amer- ica of that period. In the campaign against Crown Point he served under Sir William Johnson, and was second in command at the battle of Lake George, and afterward led the attack on Ticonderoga. In 1762, while both armies were in winter quarters, Gen. Ruggles was chosen speaker of the House of Representatives, of which body he had for several years been a member. The convention known as The First Colonial Congress and as The Stamp Act Congress assembled in New York on the 7th of October, 1765. Nine of the thirteen Colonies were there, represented by eminent men, and Gen. Ruggles had the distinguished honor to be chosen its president. At the breaking out of the Revolution Gen. Ruggles, who was a Loyalist in his sympathies, refused to take up arms on either side, and soon after removed to Wilmot, Nova Scotia, where he died at the age of eighty-four.

(V) Edward Ruggles, of Hardwick, Mass., son of Rev. Timothy Ruggles, was born Aug. 30, 1723. He married Lucy Spooner, and died May 21, 1778.

(VI) Daniel Ruggles, of Hardwick, son of Ed- ward Ruggles, was born Jan. 5, 1756. He married Dec. 30, 1779, Lucy, daughter of William Paige, and died Feb. 26, 1838. He was a farmer and for seven- teen years was an innkeeper. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and in 1779 held the rank of lieutenant. He was for many years a justice of the peace, and served as town treasurer for six years, as selectman four years and for eleven years as as- sessor.

(VII) Franklin Ruggles, of Hardwick, son of Daniel Ruggles, was born March 24, 1786. He married, Nov. 22, 1812, Sally Penniman, and died in 1865. His children were as follows: Ann J., James L., Henry, Charles, Sarah (2), Mary, Samuel F., Alma and Henry, who is mentioned below. Mr. Ruggles was a farmer and lived on the homestead. He was town representative in 1850.

(VIII) Hon. Henry Ruggles was born July 12, 1829, and was three times married. He married (first) Oct. 25, 1852, Harriet S. Geer, by whom he had two children, Alice and William. His second marriage, on Nov. 7, 1861, was to Louise E. Cooke, who became the mother of one daughter, Annie Louise. His third wife was Sarah H. Perry, whom he married Dec. 15, 1869.

The father of Hon. Henry Ruggles was a New England farmer, who brought up his boys to work in the field, though, like those of his class who have "leavened the lump" from the Atlantic to the Pa- cific, he had the proper appreciation of the value of an education. Henry was the youngest son, and like most farmer's sons, worked on the farm in the summer, and went to the village school in the win- ter. Early in his childhood and in his school course he developed a taste for reading, and a strong in- clination for study. When it appeared that the boy

cople.

715.

Mass.,

314

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

desired a thorough education his father sent him away from home to attend school. Before town high schools became as general as they are now the incorporated academy, fostered by the State, was an important agency in the education of young men and women who desired to advance beyond the sphere of the common school. Before he had reached the age of seventeen young Ruggles had made a good record as a scholar at the academies in South- bridge and New Salem, Mass., and at Chester, Vt. Mr. Ruggles attended the New Salem Academy during the years 1844-45, while John Stacy was principal. At the latter he fitted for college, but im- paired health compelled him to abandon his cher- ished purpose to devote the next four years to the higher branches of learning, though he has never ceased to be a student. Instead of going from Ches- ter to the university, as he intended, his physical con- dition obliged him to seek a more active life in busi- ness pursuits, and for two years he served as a clerk in Providence, R. I., learning the details of trade, and laying the foundation of a successful commercial career. In 1848 he established himself in business in Norwich, Conn., where his sound judgment, well-trained mind, and close and careful attention to his own affairs, realized their legitimate results. After a successful business career of twen- ty years in Norwich, he retired with a competency. Having laid down the cares of business, and being in condition to gratify his artistic and literary taste, as well as to realize the benefits of foreign travel, he went abroad in 1868, spending several months in making the usual rounds of American tourists. In April, 1870, President Grant appointed him United States Consul at Barcelona, Spain, one of the best consulates on the Mediterranean. In June, follow- ing, he proceeded to his new field of labor, taking his family with him. He settled down in his new home prepared to represent his country faithfully, while he improved his opportunity to study the his- tory and literature, as well as the commercial char- acter and resources, of an interesting country and people. He acquired the Spanish language and be- came familiar with the manners and customs of the country. He remained in Barcelona nearly five years, and discharged the duties of his office to the entire satisfaction of the United States and the Span- ish governments. On sending his resignation to the President, through the legation at Madrid, Gen. Sickles, who was then minister to Spain, forwarded the following dispatch to the State Department, bearing evidence to his faithful service while in charge of the Consulate :

UNITED STATES LEGATION IN SPAIN, MADRID.

SIR: I have the honor to forward, herewith inclosed, a dispatch dated 20th inst., addressed to the President, by Hon. Henry Ruggles, who therein tenders his resignation of the office of United States Consul at Barcelona. It is to be regretted that the consular service thus loses an ac- complished officer, to whose ability and fidelity, during the

time he has filled his present post, I take pleasu gn bear- ing witness.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedie fservant, D. E. S. LES,

Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plen, Mentiary. The Hon. Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State, Wahington.

naking During his term of service Spain was history" quite as rapidly as in the days cCharles VI and Philip II. Mr. Ruggles heard th jeals of artillery that announced the election of nadeus as King of Spain, and saw him, after his re nation. sail for his home in sunny Italy. He witr fed the arrival of Alfonso, the late King, at I celona. During his residence in Spain the country as fre quently disturbed by civil discords, Car wars and by incipient revolutions fomented by tl various factions, each struggling to grasp the rein of gov- his of ernment. Within the space of two years ficial term he saw the government change from a monarchy to a Republic-the latter haug four presidents in this brief period-and finally to back to a monarchy again. While holding h officia position, Mr. Ruggles traveled quite exte vely ir Spain, visiting all the principal points of Interest extending his tour at one time to Gibraltar, d fron there visiting Morocco and the Regency of funis ir northern Africa. Though in office "few Mlie and thod o none resign," the latter was Mr. Ruggles's : retiring from the position he had held wi honor his na to his country and himself. He returned tive land, and again resided in Norwich But i 1878 President Hayes appointed him Uni- Statd Consul at Malta, in the Mediterranean. Ho feld thi Wit position for four years, and then resigned ·his wife and daughter he went to Germany there two years, dividing his time betwe

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 72

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