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 84

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 84

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In politics Mr. Allyn is a Republican, and since 1882 he has been a member of the Groton Congre- gational Church, and labored to aid in its good work. Socially prominent, he is a member of the Fairview Lodge, No. 101, I. O. O. F., of which he is treas- urer, and he is a charter member from Mohegan Lodge of New London, and also a member of Union Lodge of Masons of New London.

On Sept. 19, 1895, Mr. Allyn married M 1. Sa- rah Elizabeth Throop, of Lebanon, Conn., a their children are :

(IX) Wilson Throop, born July 19 806; Matilda Williams, born May 18, 1900; an Rich- ard Wightman, born July 30, 1903. Mr. Ah en- tered Yale College, but on account of troul with his eyes, was compelled to give up his cours

WILLIAM PARK. America has been tively a field for the man with initiative pov there has been room for the progressive

tinc- ,, and un in every business however crowded it may ha been. The man of ideas has had, and does have, {high value, but his potency has been slight in capari- son with that of the one who has had the a ty to put his ideas into practice. Among those w! show rare capacity in the handling of industrial aurs of wide scope and importance is the subject , this review, who for many years was identified th the woolen industry of Canada, and is now on hf the leading woolen goods manufacturers of Ne Eng- land. Mr. Park comes of sturdy Scotch &estry, and in him are dominant those noble traits char- acter so often marking the representatives that nationality.

William Park, his great-grandfather, w born in Ayrshire, Scotland, and for many years l'as in the employ of the English government as a til en- gineer, while in this service being sent to herica in the interest of his government. On the foyage to America the vessel in which he had taken .ssage was lost with all on board, no tiding's hav : ever been heard of it. He married Marian Gilchit, who died in Scotland, her native land, in abo [ 1804, aged about fifty-five years. At the time of 1 death William Park was in middle life. He was tl father of two children, William and Marian, th latter dying young.

William Park (2), son of William, wasborn in 1783 in Scotland, and was also for a nuper of years in the employ of his government a fi civil engineer. Later he engaged in the hotel bu fess in Lethenwater Tollbar, Scotland, which he colucted several years, finally retiring and removing, Gal- ashiels, Scotland, where he lived several yirs be- fore his death, which occurred in July, 18 . He married Elizabeth Welich, of Galashiels, Stland, where she died in August, 1844, and their ildren were: (1) Marian, who became the wife c Joseph Sykes, died in Galashiels. (2) Thomas, vo is a wool scourer by trade, residing in Galashi , mar- ried Agnes Melrose, who is now decea: .. (3) Elizabeth married Joseph Broadhurst of G .shiels. where she died. (4) William is mentione below. (5) John, who was a spinner by trade, carried Elizabeth Shell, and died in Galashiels. (6 James, who was a manager of woolen mills, marri Eliza- beth Robinson, and died in New Zealand. ) Isa- bella died young.

William Park (3), son of William (2), .s born

Milliam Park

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

. 15, 33, in Lethenwater Tollbar, Scotland, and scholing was received in Galashiels, where his noved when in his infancy. His early training was very meagre, as he left the when eleven years of age, at that time mill work. He learned the spinner's also took up the other branches of the siness, learning carding and weaving, these trades in his native land until 1872,

er of which year he sailed from Liver- merica. Arriving in Quebec, Canada, r a v rough voyage of eleven and a half days, immediately went to work as a spinner in the on ms, at Sherbrooke, Canada, and after a rt tin he was put in full charge of the twisting novel yarn department in the same mill. He lained aks w 1893 il the ere altogether about twenty years, which for his mechanical and executive ability. r. Park retired from active work, and ath of his estimable wife resided in ease

rest Sherbrooke. He has since made his le wit his daughter, Mrs. William T. Mountain, Amest y, Massachusetts.

Mr. Ilk was married, Jan. 14, 1854, in Scot- 1, to (herine Campbell, who was born in 1836, Carlyl Scotland, daughter of Angus Campbell,

oolen inner, and a master at his trade. Mrs. 1 away in Sherbrooke, Canada, June 3,

k pas at the age of over sixty. To Mr.

Mrs

Park were born children as follows: Ang residing at Hanover, Conn., is men-

ed fu elsewhere. (2) William is mentioned W. James, who is master mechanic of the ntic nufacturing Co.'s mill at East Lyme, ried Elizabeth Holloway, of Granby, n., n

n., an hey have three children, Lillian Eunice,

nor CH ipbell and Olive Catherine. (4) George ne of fe stockholders and general superinten-

ter, 1

of t Dumbarton Woolen Company's mills at ine. He married Florence Clark, of lon, 1 gland, and to them have been born two

Įren, ifford and Evelyn. (5) Thomas is seer ( the weaving department of the Niantic ufact ng Company's mills at East Lyme, D. H narried Nora Beckwith, of East Lyme, hey 1 ce is

e two children,.Gordon and Ralph. (6) e wife of William T. Mountain, a car- buil ;, residing in Amesbury, Mass. They children,-Harold, Ronald, and Angus

Park, the fourth in direct line to bear is born in Galashiels, Scotland, Jan. 14, chooling was begun in his native land, comir

ars ( 1 the ublic

to America with his parents when but age, he continued his educational train- hools of Amesbury, Mass., and later in hools of Sherbrooke, Canada, graduat- high school of the latter city in 1876. leav : school he followed the example of his r, ent ng the woolen mill. At the early age 'elve ars he had become an employe of the

Paton Manufacturing Company, in whose mill he worked during his summer vacation and spare time, the winter months being occupied with his studies in night schools, in which he took a business course. At the age of fifteen years, in 1876, we find young Park ready to begin life's battle, the activity of which has ever since increased without abatement. When he entered the employ of the Paton Manufac- turing Company, as a boy, he was put at various kinds of work, and in the discharge of all his duties displayed a readiness and willingness to work. As a result he very soon acquired a thorough knowl- edge of the various branches of woolen manufactur- ing, and his promotion to positions of trust and im- portance with this company was rapid. At the early age of twenty-five years he was at the head of the designing department, which position he filled with efficiency. At the age of thirty years he was made superintendent, and two years later was promoted to general manager. In this mill were manufac- tured all kinds of woolen fabrics, including fancy Pullman rugs, worsted suitings, overcoatings, tweeds, etc., and as the establishment was the lar- gest in the country, the position of general manager of the same was a very responsible one, and the fact that Mr. Park arose to that position through the various stages of the work, from the bottom of the ladder to the highest position of responsibility in the institution, suggests his capabilities and fitness for the trust imposed. He remained in the respon- sible position of general manager until 1894, when he resigned for the purpose of establishing the Niantic Manufacturing Company at East Lyme, Conn. In this project he was associated with David R. Campbell, his uncle, who was made president of the company, and still holds that position, and his brother, Angus Park, who was made secretary of the company. They purchased one of the Sturte- vant mills, located on Pattagonsett Lake, which was at once remodeled throughout, new machinery from the boilers to the finishing machines, being installed. Upon the organization of this company William Park was made treasurer and general agent, and under his efficient and capable management the com- pany has been very successful. In this mill are man- ufactured all kinds of woolen goods, including ladies' dress goods and men's suitings, etc., and particularly novelties comprising high grade up-to- date Scotch fabrics. Employment is given to about 120 hands. After several years Angus Park with- drew from the company, and O. A. Buzzell was elected secretary to succeed him.

Commenting upon his departure from Sher- brooke, one of the Canadian papers had the following to say: "The north part of Sher- brooke will sustain a severe loss by the re- moval from the city of Mr. William Park and family, who propose taking up their resi- dence shortly at East Lyme, near New London, Conn., U. S. A. Mr. William Park has been at the Paton mills for twenty-one years, and has filled most

thre

Villiar ame, Hi

rom 1

ents cati bolrob ng 1 le, a1 olen king Septe 1 for

366

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

responsible stations there. On the death of Mr. Andrew Paton two years since, he was offered and accepted the highest position in the mills, which he now holds. His abilities and good management are fully recognized by the Directors, who learn of his retirement with regret. Mr. William Park has acquired a large share in an eight-set woolen mill at East Lyme, Conn., and therefore goes into wool- en manufacturing on his own account with bright prospects of a brilliant future. He and his family will leave this city with the good wishes and good will of all who knew them, who esteem them highly."

Fraternally Mr. Park is a member of the Ma- sonic organization, holding membership in Bay View Lodge, No. 120, F. & A. M, of Niantic, Conn. He is also a member of the Canadian Order of For- esters, of the I. O. O. F. of Canada, and of the East Lyme Grange. In religious faith he is a Presby- terian, holding membership in the Church of that denomination at Sherbrooke, Canada, of which church his wife is also a member. However, they attend and liberally support the Baptist Church at East Lyme. In political faith Mr. Park is a stanch Republican, and is now (1904) acceptably serving his adopted town as a member of the board of select- men. He has also served several years as member of the school board of East Lyme.

Mr. Park was united in marriage, Jan. 3, 1887, in Sherbrooke, Canada, with Miss Emma F., daugh- ter of John and Rachel (Crawford) Whitcher. Her paternal grandfather, John Whitcher, was a purser for many years in the Royal Navy of Great Britain. He later emigrated to the Dominion, and settled in Sherbrooke, becoming one of the pioneer set- tlers of that section. He owned a large tract of land upon which is now situated the principal business section of that city. He also surveyed and laid out the city of Sherbrooke. For a number of years he served as reeve of Sherbrooke

county. The members of his family were also prominent in public affairs, his son Will- iam being commissioner of fisheries for the Dominion for forty years, and well known and highly esteemed by the Canadian Cabinet, and par- ticularly so during the many years' administration of Sir John A. MacDonald. Another son, Charles, succeeded his father, John, as reeve of Sherbrooke county, which office he held for many years up until his death. To Mr. and Mrs. Park have been born four bright children, as follows: Eunice Whitcher, Mabel Campbell, Angus Campbell and William Ray- mond. The career of William Park furnishes to the ambitious youth of to-day an example of what can be accomplished by energy, industry and integ- rity. In all of his operations he shows his ability and excellent business acumen, and his marked suc- cess in life is well merited.

CHARLES A. PERKINS, the present tax col- lector of the town of Lebanon, is one of the town's popular, industrious and selfmade men. The Per-

kins family is one of the oldest in America

annals and its record is as follows :

The Perkinses of Norwich and that patof the town which became Lisbon were descen from John Perkins, who was born at Newent,

gland in 1590. He sailed in the ship "Lyon" to M

/ Eng- land in December, 1630, and arrived at fiton in February, 1631. His wife Judith and their Tre chil- dren accompanied him. In 1633 Mr. Poins re- moved to Ipswich, where he became one of fe lead- ing men, and was several times deputy tofte Gen- eral Court. He died in 1654.

Sergeant Jacob Perkins, son of John forn in England in 1624, married first in 1647-8, zabeth, who died in 1665. He married (secor Mrs Demaris Robinson, of Boston. Like th general run of farmers, Mr. Perkins lived a quie ind un- eventful life, and he died in 1699-1700, file his widow survived him until 1716.

Joseph, Jabez and Mathew, sons of ergeant Jacob Perkins, removed in 1695 to tha part of Norwich, Conn., which became Lisbon, though Mathew later returned to Ipswich. They [ chased in Norwich some thousand acres of landand the two who remained became the leading n in the management of town affairs during their es, and Joseph

left numerous descendants in that region. Perkins, born at Ipswich, June 24, 1674 married May 22, 1700, Mary Morgan, daughter Josep and Dorothy Morgan, and their sons wer .Josephi John, Mathew, Simon and William. Jez Per kins, the other brother who remained in forwicli was born in Ipswich May 15, 1677, an ,marries (first) June 30, 1698, Hannah Lathrop, Id (sec ond) Dec. 17, 1722, Charity Leonard. Hdied in 1742, and his sons were: Jabez and Jaco Perkins Through Mathew Perkins, son of Josepl Perkins came a line of distinguished lawyers of among whom were: Hon. Enoch Perk

artfor ; Ho Thomas Clap Perkins, and the present (lerles 1 Perkins of Hartford, respectively father on an grandson.

Samuel Perkins, father of our subje was

resident of Lisbon, New London county n earl life, and it is presumed he was born tlle. H boyhood days were spent in that town, an when 1 was a young man he moved to Bozrah, here ! was engaged in the lumber business, ging 01 ship timber which was delivered at Nor ch, an he continued successfully in this line til 187 when he removed to Lebanon and settled a far in the southern part of the town, near t Bozra line, and there died two years later, Apri 1, 187 aged fifty-five years and six months. s dea was the result of a cold contracted by suding water while assisting in building a pier His r mains were interred in the Dr. Johnson c etery Bozrah. In personal appearance he was

man commanding stature, standing six feet and weighed about 190 pounds. Mr. Perkin was bone and muscle, and was a man 0 unusu strength, and was proud of the fact thate cor

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

t as ich as two ordinary men. His powers of durage were wonderful, and he was an excellent of the men of his day, heroic in build, un- effort, and strong in their adherence to iples they considered right. In political ith h d mi

camp ring e pr vas a Democrat and was a member of the ry company at Bozrah during the time it as in istence.

Sarfel Perkins married Philura H. Miner, born Bozul , daughter of Thomas and Freelove Miner. ne stkived her husband until March 30, 1892, hen : passed away in Bozrah aged sixty-six ars, 1 was interred beside her husband. The ildresforn to this worthy couple were as fol- WS: :) Alfred ran away from home and en- ted f service in the Civil war under the as- med one of Alfred H. Bromley, he being under re. H was wounded and sent home, and finally ed off le injury. (2) Horace C., a farmer in bano married (first) Emma Bushnell, and (sec- d) Grgiana Johnson. (3) Mary married J. Saw ", a painter and decorator, and resides in ozrah. (4) Frank S. married a lady from Wis- nsin af is a farmer at Melrose, that State. (5) len mfried Charles Pitcher, a retired machinist, d resins in Norwich Town. (6) John G. mar- kl Ma Rhodes, and is a farmer of Lebanon. ) Gefge L. is a fireman at the electric light rks i New London; he married Lillian Fair- Nancy M. married Albert Lathrop, a 11 kndn horse dealer at Hartford. (9) Hattie rried ank Chapman, and died from the effects a ru

way. (10) Charles A. is our subject. Ja 1 married Georgia Day, and resides in banon thief

(12) James B. married Julia Nagle, and gineer in the electric light works in New ndon. 13) Byron is unmarried and resides in Y Lo Char A. Perkins was born Oct. 25, 1863, in rah, con nn., and attended the district school and lemy until he was about fifteen years of Athat time he lost his father, and was gred 1 older

remain at home to manage the farm, as oys had all branched out for themselves. hougl still a boy he was capable of doing as h wc as any man. For four years he worked har »1 of ipon the farm, and then his mother dis- le property, and the young man began king later

ning year 001 allo

- the Yantic Paper Company as fireman, or several years he was an engineer, re- the employ of that company for almost or until 1885. At that time, on account ilth, he gave up his position. He had d to work over time for extra pay, and e wel; he managed to do ten and one-half WCH . 11 in he labo

beginning his tasks long before day- strength, however, was not equal to the it upon it, and he was forced to try out- Renting a farm in Lebanon, he resided e for year, and then removed to another farm, th he ade his home for four years, at the end

of that time, beginning work at the carpenter's trade. Being of a mechanical turn, as were his brothers and sisters, it was very easy for him to learn the details of the trade, and he was soon work- ing for Mr. William Taylor. In 1897, with his savings, he purchased his present farm, known as the "Ira Tucker place," a tract of fifty acres, upon which he has made many improvements, and where he is engaged in farming and dairying, although he still works at his trade of carpenter, hiring a good deal of his farm work.

On Sept. 10, 1884. Mr. Perkins was happily mar- ried to Julia A. Sisson, of Groton, daughter of Al- bert B. and Amelia (Dunbar) Sisson. Amelia Dun- bar was a sister of William Dunbar, who was lost on the ill-fated "Genetta" in Arctic waters. Another brother, Gurdon, also a seafaring man, spent three years with a companion on a lonely island, where they were wrecked. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Perkins are: Frank Charles, born Nov. 22, 1888; Fannie Clara, born Feb. 12, 1891. In politics Mr. Perkins is a Republican, and has served on the board of relief, and has been repeatedly chosen con- stable, but has never qualified. In 1900 he was elected tax collector. Fraternally he is a prominent and active member of William Williams Council No. 72, Order United American Mechanics, pass- ing all the chairs, and in 1898 he was chosen to rep- resent the organization at the state council held at Milford. Both he and his estimable wife are con- sistent members of the Congregational Church, and he is now assistant superintendent of the Sunday School. Mr. Perkins is a self-made man, and by his industry, energy and ability has risen in the world and firmly established himself in the respect and confidence of all who know him.

BENJAMIN H. PALMER (deceased) was a well-known, highly successful and esteemed citizen of Norwich. He was descended from an old and numerous family of New London county, a full record of which is contained in the sketch of his brother, James B. Palmer, of Lisbon.

Benjamin H. Palmer was born in Voluntown, Conn., Jan. 8, 1840, and when about sixteen years old moved with his parents to Lisbon. He was brought up to farm work, and received his educa- tion in the district schools, and in Bacon Academy at Colchester. For several winters he taught school in and around Lisbon, devoting the summers to farm work. In 1863 he came to Norwich, where for a year he was employed as a clerk in the store of Samuel Prentice, on Main street. The following April, he and Austin Maine purchased of a Mr. Partridge the Shetucket Company store at No. 400 Main street, which they carried on for two years under the firm name of Maine & Palmer. At the expiration of that time Mr. Maine died, and Mr. Palmer bought from the heirs their interest, and continued to carry on the business throughout the remainder of his life. The business, which was

368

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

fair at first, became steadily more profitable, grow- ing to large proportions. In 1892 he went into partnership with his son, Benjamin H. Palmer, Jr., and they bought the old Durfey grist mill, which they carried on under the name of B. H. Palmer & Son. After Mr. Palmer's death the heirs continued to conduct the store until 1902, and carried on the mill until 1903. His death occurred very suddenly Oct. 26, 1893, from heart trouble, while he was on a visit to Jewett City, and he was buried in Yantic cemetery, Norwich.

Mr. Palmer married, Nov. 30, 1868, in Jewett City, Eliza H. Brown, who was born in Griswold, daughter of Shepard and Martha C. (Browning) Brown. Their children were as follows: (1) Myra B. died at the age of five years. (2) Benjamin Henry, Jr., graduated from the Norwich Free Acad- emy in 1888. He was associated with his father in business, and after the death of the latter carried on the business until it was sold. He is at present secretary and treasurer of the Tobin Fire Arms Company, of which he was one of the organizers. He married Lucy Otis, of Norwich, daughter of the late Amos T. Otis, and they have two chil- dren, Marion O. and Benjamin H., Jr. (3) Shep- ard Brown graduated from the Norwich Free Acad- emy in 1889, and in June, 1894, from the School of Technology of Worcester, Mass. He is a civil engineer by profession, and since 1897 has been a member of the firm of Chandler & Palmer, engineers and surveyors, of Norwich. He is a director in the Tobin Fire Arms Company, of which he was one of the organizers. On Oct. 6, 1903, he married in Norwich, Henrietta Woodworth Carey, of that city, daughter of the late Charles W. Carey. Mr. Pal- mer is a deacon of the Central Baptist Church, and is superintendent of the Sabbath School. He is a trustee of the Dime Savings Bank. (4) Bessie Mary graduated from the Norwich Free Academy in 1893. She is the wife of Walter E. Truesdell, a civil engineer, and their home is in Brooklyn, New York.

Mr. Palmer was a Republican in principle, but took little interest in politics beyond the casting of his vote. From early manhood he was an earnest member of the Baptist Church, uniting with the church of that denomination in Jewett City, later transferring his membership to the Third Baptist Church in Greeneville, and about ten years previous to his death becoming a member of the Central Bap- tist Church. He took a great interest in all religious work, to the support of which he was a liberal con- tributor. He was a man of retiring disposition, but one who inspired the confidence and esteem of all who came to know him. In business he was known as a man of strict honesty, was a good citizen, and a model husband and father.

CAPT. JEROME WHEELER WILLIAMS, born in Montville March 17, 1812, was for many years one of the most popular and efficient steam-

boat masters plying Long Island Sound. Iflied in his native town Sept. 29, 1899.

Capt. Williams was a descendant of one ofnew England's old and time honored families. fa ther, Oliver Williams, followed the sea forfans years, but finally settled in Montville where and married Eunice Smith, who was born infra. and was a direct descendant of James Smi | one of the early settlers of Groton, Conn. To thi hion were born: James, who was in business in Kor wich for many years, died there, and was bt fal at Poquetanuck, in the town of Preston, New I don county ; he married Nancy Gavitch, of Luar l, Conn. John, who followed the sea during lilife, died in Norwich and is also buried in Poquet fick ; he married Clara Brown, of Westerly, R. I. Inice died in Montville, aged about seventy-five years, unmarried. Margaret died in Montville, ried. Ann died in Montville, unmarried. Cla flied in Montville, unmarried. Jerome Wheeler innen- tioned in full below.

Jerome Wheeler Williams passed his ea life and received his education in Montville. L'wing school when he was about sixteen years of ', he took a voyage as cabin boy under his second Şısin, Alvin G. Smith, of Montville. His first expence gave him a liking for the sea, and he soon fame fascinated with the life of a seaman, being en byed on various coasting vessels plying between Nor- wich, New London, New York, Boston and Kova Scotia. He remained in the coasting trade feral years. When about twenty-two years of a, he entered the employ of the Norwich & New Indon Steamboat Company, and in the employ of thi rom- pany worked his way up the ladder of succe 1In- til he became one of their most trusted and dient masters. His promotion was rapid, he hav ob- tained a captaincy when still a young man ; dl he remained with this company until he retire from the water in 1874, after having followed the hi for over forty years.

Capt. Williams was married Dec. 16, 1 . to Lydia Wheeler Woodworth, daughter of shua Woodworth, of Montville. To this union were born: (1) George Hervey, born in Norwich, onn., Sept. II. 1836, died at Newton, Mass., F. IO, 1898. On Dec. 6, 1858, he married Emily Mary Nash, daughter of Capt. James S. Nash, c Nor wich, and to this union were born six children dary Nash, who died 'Aug. 16, 1866; Virginia Vtson. who married Nelson Herbert Tucker, of Noton- ville, Mass., where they reside with their thr chil- dren, Mildred M., Agnes M. and Harol Eu- George Hervey, who resides in Newton ; Em genia, who resides in Newton ; Agnes Mauf who died Oct. 19, 1892; and Frederick Josial who ·here . and married Alice Salisbury Cobb of Newton, they reside with their two children, Jerome Alice B. (2) Jennie H., born in Norwich, 1. II, 1839, married, Oct. 14, 1861, Martin Van uren Watson, of Westchester, N. Y., and died San

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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 84

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