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 96

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 96

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DUDLEY R. WHEELER was born Sept. 14, 1796, in what is now North Stonington, New London Co., Conn., and received his education in the district school. He attended school for a comparatively short period, but in that time he readily mastered the three "R's", by observation and study constantly adding to his knowledge till at the time of his death he was a very well informed man. Had he received the advantages of a college training there is no doubt that he could have made a success in whatever profession he might have chosen, for he had the qualities which bring reward in any field of action. But it was his destiny to rise in the commercial world, and from an early age he displayed the rare

powers of judgment in such matters which ult gutely gained him such prestige. He left the farm

fen a boy of fourteen years, and came into the vi doe to enter the employ of Samuel Chapman, a 1tive, who conducted a general store. He continu with him for a time, leaving there to become a pa Amos Hull in a store in the same village. T nection lasted only a short time, however.

Her of con- ung Wheeler buying his partner's interest, and ( ark- ing in business alone at the age of nineteen ears. That was the beginning of a business card covered a period of nearly three quarters o: tury. Mr. Wheeler conducted the mercanti ness for many years with much success, bei relieved of the more active work by his son

that cen- busi- later enry D., who managed it successfully for a numer of years, when it was disposed of. Major 1 eeler f in- was one of the pioneers in the manufactur digo blue ginghams, which at one time was fuite a buy thriving industry in this vicinity. He wo the raw cotton, have it spun in the neig pring State of Rhode Island, and then would dy . and distribute the dyed cotton in the vicinity [nong the farmer's wives, who would weave th cloth, le in which found a ready and very profitable South America. Mr. Wheeler did the nit ex- tensive business in this line in this section Ind it was a boon for the farmers' wives. Engli com- petition of lower priced goods destroyed theharket before the Civil war, so that the business is dis- continued. Success had so marked the cyer of Major Wheeler up to this time that he had come possessed of large means, and the rest of his de was devoted to the management of his extensi [ inter- ests. During the Civil war he was a heat pur- chaser of Government bonds and advisec ll his friends to do likewise. He believed that if gov- ernment went all would go with it, and he 1/s will- ing to do his full share to preserve it. Mr. hecler was largely interested in New York banl stocks, and he had a large acquaintance among oneyed men in that city, to which place he made lequent visits every year.

Major Wheeler was nearly six feet ., well proportioned, of commanding presence, [1 pre- sented a distinguished appearance. He v., thor- oughly up-to-date in every respect, and alves kept himself well informed on current eve . Al- though he lived to the age of ninety-two lars hd retained every faculty to the last. The Moor was a man of kindly motives, with a high sense hono man and steadfastness of purpose. One of 1 laudable traits was a desire to help any wohy an struggling young man, seeing that he gr 1 goo start, and he gave liberally of his large pans i this way. Naturally such benefactions ve hir great pleasure, as the results were directind ap preciable, but he gave with equal liberality publi move causes, and stood ever ready to help in a ment for the betterment of the town, devoig bot time and means to worthy objects. All in The w

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

su] ctua. ior type of man morally as well as in- His unselfishness was as much a mat- of pr ciple as the expression of a nature both rousind kindly. He had a high sense of re- sibil for the welfare of his fellowmen, and r speed himself in the discharge of what he ved be only his duty. His death, on June 19, , reif ved one of the wealthiest, most beloved bes was ge, a

nown citizens of New London county. ried in his private cemetery west of the a fine monument marks his last resting- e. P tically Major Wheeler was a Whig, later epubl n, and he was stanch in his views. He a leading factor in the political life of his town cour y im ance for many years, and though he had so tant private interests found time for ac- public positions, representing the town ne Sthe Senate for two terms, and in the State islatul While serving as senator he was trus- pro ta .. of Yale University under the law which ides to be at the two oldest members of the Senate istees pro tem. of Yale. For many years vas afofficer in the old militia, thus obtaining najor.

title o In ea Elder ed to

manhood Major Wheeler united with Miner Baptist Church, and later trans- de Congregational Church at North Ston- on, ail he was one of its leading members and libe ling c secon contributors. He was a member of the imittee when the present church as built. wife was a devout member of the Con- ation Church, and their home was a regular ing-ice for ministers of the different denom- ons, ghe of whom were allowed to go away y-hai :d.

)n D I, 1818, Dudley R. Wheeler married t, who was born May 17, 1797, daugh-

a He of El and Ann (Hull) Hewitt. She died 7, 126, the mother of four children, namely : Louis Desire, born Nov. 10, 1819, died Feb. 837. 22. :) Dudley, born Nov. 4, 1821, died Oct. ) Chauncey Goodrich, born Nov. 30, diedet Norwich, N. Y., June 2, 1854. (4) . An born Sept. 26, 1825, married Warren on in 351. They resided in Norwich, N. Y., he as president of the National Bank of ich. he died in 1895, in New York City. n Ma h 4, 1828, Mr. Wheeler was married nd) 1 Sarah Maria Browning, born March 8, daug

She

To th H Ed

37) ; Ma

er of John and Abigail (Swan) Brown- ed June 22, 1875. Six children were inion : Henry Dwight, June 22, 1829; non, April 27, 1832 (died July 14, rd Everett, Feb. 20, 1836 (died Jan. ennie, Nov. 5, 1839 (died Dec. 12, , Aug. 22, 1842 (died Nov. 27, 1842) ; How

'd, May 25, 1844 (died in North Ston- 27, 1888, a few days later than his

Ju 1.

ENRY er of

WIGHT WHEELER, the only surviving family of Major Dudley R. Wheeler,

has devoted his active years to business, and, judg- ing by the success which has attended his enterprises, has inherited his father's remarkable ability. He is largely interested in pig iron furnaces, being a well known man in that line, and is a director in several such concerns. His city residence is at No. 34 Gramercy Park, New York City, but he spends as much of his time as possible in the summer sea- son in the old home at North Stonington, to which place he has been a most liberal benefactor. It has often been remarked that the men who go forth from the farm or some quiet town to a career in the great commercial centers eventually turn from the scene of their successes to the peace of their early homes. Often the benefit is wholly their own. But again we find those whose greatest pleasure in the means at their command consists in the pleasure it enables

them to give to others. In Mr. Wheeler's generos- ity to his native town there is undoubtedly the same realization of the responsibility of wealth which characterized his father, no less than extraordinary public spirit. His gifts have been numerous and varied, public institutions, churches and individuals benefiting impartially. Many a needy one has re- ceived timely assistance without any intimation con- cerning its source, for like all of his family Mr. Wheeler has always been very unostentatious in such matters, desiring no publicity, and no reward but the consciousness of obligations fulfilled. The fact that the obligations have been assumed voluntarily, apparently makes no difference when the attention they require is so close and constant that it amounts to self-sacrificing devotion. To quote from the Providence Sunday Journal of Oct. 30, 1904: "His benevolences and those of his famly, to individuals · as well as to the public, have been numerous and valuable, and North Stonington has every reason to be grateful that one of her sons has both heart and ability to do things, and to do them so well and wisely." Two of the most important evidences of Mr. Wheeler's generosity, outside of substantial aid given to the various churches, should be especially mentioned :

In October, 1904, the selectmen of the town re- ceived a letter from Mr. Wheeler, in which he of- fered to the town the building recently known and used as the Wheeler store, together with the land on which it stands, for a Town House. It is in good condition, centrally located on a most desirable site, and the only conditions attached to the accept- ance of the gift were that it be put and kept in good repair, painted and kept well painted. A special town meeting was called for the following Satur- day, October 22, to act on the proposition, to re- ceive estimates of the cost of making necessary re- pairs, and to decide how to raise the amount. The motion to accept the gift was carried unanimously and spontaneously, and a nominal tax was laid to cover the expense of making such changes as were necessary to fit the building for the use to which it was to be put, and to purchase safes in which to

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keep the records. It was voted to sell the old town house and its site to the highest bidder, the select- men being given full authority to proceed at once with the work of remodeling the Wheeler place. The following resolutions were then moved, sec- onded by prominent citizens and unanimously car- ried :

WHEREAS, Mr. Henry Dwight Wheeler has always been thoughtful for the best interests of our town, and

WHEREAS, In this case, he has generously made it possible for the town to have a good town house, excel- lently located, therefore be it

Resolved, That the electors of the town hereby assure Mr. Wheeler of their appreciation of his interest and benevolence and would extend to him their sincere thanks for the gift and accept the same.

Resolved, That the town clerk be instructed to spread these resolutions on the town's records and send or present a copy to Mr. Wheeler.

But the enterprise which might be called his favorite is the Wheeler School and Library at North Stonington, the entire expense of maintaining which devolves upon him, and which he expects to endow eventually so that it will have ample funds for its support, entirely independent of the town or of in- dividuals. It is a chartered institution, incorpor- ated under the laws of the State of Connecticut, and the board of trustees, which meets annually in Connecticut to discuss the interests of the school, includes several noted figures in educational work, being composed of: Thomas B. Hewitt, A. M., Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Bernadotte Perrin, Ph. D., LL. D., Lampson Professor of the Greek Language and Literature, Yale, New Haven, Conn .; Junius Spen- cer Morgan, A. M., New York ; Amos A. Browning, Ph. B., LL. B., Norwich, Conn .; Rev. Edwin Jud- son Klock, B. S., A. M., North Stonington, Conn .; and Samuel T. Dutton, A. M., Teachers' College, Columbia University, New York.

From the fall of 1889, to the spring of 1901, the school was conducted in rented rooms. In the latter year was completed the present school building, one of the handsomest devoted to such purposes in New England. It is of substantial construction, be- ing of Westerly granite, with copper eaves, and the interior is finished with quartered oak. Within, all the appointments are such as are now generally rec- ognized to be most conducive to health and com- fort. The first floor is given over to school pur- poses, the second to the library, which at present contains some 2,000 volumes, and which will, ac- cording to the indications, soon have 10,000 or 12,- 000. A well equipped gymnasium occupies the basement, so that no feature of healthy school life is lacking. The spacious grounds surrounding the building are beautifully laid out, a circular drive, fine shade trees and beds of hardy roses all making an artistic approach to the entrance of the building, which is guarded by two of Canova's life-sized walking lions, specially made for the purpose in Florence, Italy, on Mr. Wheeler's order. The grounds in the rear are devoted to tennis, base-

ball, etc. The institution is a fitting memgal to the members of a family ever devoted to the ter- ests of others, and the substantial characte if the building and equipment, as well as the careffplans for its future, testify to the hope Mr. Whear has for its continued usefulness.

The Wheeler School, now classed amfg the best preparatory schools of the State, had it rigin in the benevolent purpose of members of thefamily of Major Dudley R. Wheeler, who confe 1 to- gether in regard to a school for their nativ town .

Their object was to promote the cause of e f'ation by establishing, at their own expense, a sch plementary to the public schools where, er of charge, the young men and women of Nor (Ston- ington, Conn., might obtain academic in: action fitting them as students for a collegiate o liberal education. After the death of Edgar H. "feeler, son of the Major, his sister, Miss Jennie Wheeler, carried forward her brother's plans and es flished a high school in her native village. It was 1 e great desire that the youth of her town should Fre the advantages of a thorough high school e cation "without money and without price."

"'Miss Jennie' lives in the hearts of tl North Stonington people especially because of theduca- tional work she has done. In the foundin fof the Wheeler School, she has been more to the school than founder or trustee of fund. Her long and eager interest has followed it answeringly .om its first days; and even when her hands cou work no more, her active brain was busy with oughts and plans for the school. Her ambition forit was very great. She desired that the training [ceived there should be of the best, fitting men an vomen to do good work in the world, and to ha

broad views and lofty ideals; that the Wheele Schor 1 should be second to none among preparatory chools. and should develop into a New England of the best type. Her dream has been rozed in pupils who have gone forth well equipped knowl. edge, inspired with a love for the higher id bet- ter things of life. Thus the school in wla Mis Wheeler's hopes were centered has beenfind is a factor for good. It will be a fitting nhumen to one who has shown herself to be soruly friend of education, a spirit of helpfulne and type of noble womanhood."

Mr. H. S. Young, a graduate of Yale, h of the school during the first nine years istence. Miss S. M. Lindsey, who was lucate at Smith College, succeeded him as prin pal an remained in the school until June, 194 Mi Clare Reynolds Bass, Ph. B., a graduate Bron University, followed Miss Lindsey as pricipal September, 1901.

Although the Wheeler School was eliblishe especially for students living in the town | Nort Stonington, it has been thought best to all ; othe to avail themselves of the advantages ofi ed, an as long as the accommodations furnisho by ti

ademy

charg

its ex

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

bomv ve in ill be ildings exceed the needs of the pupils who orth Stonington, students from other towns lmitted without charge for tuition. Each uden bays one dollar a term for incidental ex- enses imsel: d buys his own text-books. He may avail f all the privileges of the school and library

ee off large.

Th chool is open to students of both sexes. It unde :ood that those who attend will yield cheer- il obě ence to all rules and regulations deemed ecessé for the best advancement of the pupil, nd the uccessful conduct of the school.

Apants for admission are examined in arith- etic, ology elling, geography, English grammar, phy- nd American history. Students may take lvanch: standing by passing satisfactory examina- ons ir ne work already done by their class. Pupils take the regular four years' course may pecial students for partial courses. nable iter a Ev ke fo ears

candidate for a diploma is required to subjects throughout each year of the four rse. The courses may be varied and elec- ves inoduced to meet the requirements of the udent und entrance requirements, the curriculum mbrac ; all the studies advocated in the best in- itutio: and all students receive instruction in mu- c, Frich and German, drawing and elocution, id are iterar sign ititled to become members of the Wheeler Society. As in other schools, a report to by the parent or guardian is given to each udent onthly, indicating his standing in each of s stud s for the month and announcing his de- iency 1 any study or studies if such deficiency ists. Nor ge, q

Stonington is a typical New England vil- t, healthful and historic, nestled among e hill bout eight miles back from Long Island und.

HENRY BRADBURY, Representative e Legislature from the town of Old Lyme, minent manufacturer of that place, was

izabel

ien tl r son, John, was fourteen years old, the nily ( ISS. le to this country, and settled at Webster, ere he died, survived by his widow, her ith of irring while residing in Old Lyme, and

John nrv, had ited bec: ter ted to cessf

wa juried beside her husband in Webster. bradbury, son of James and father of John is born in Saddleworth, England, where me schooling, and after coming to the ites he attended night school in Webster. e a weaver, finding employment in the is at Webster, and at nineteen was pro- he position of boss weaver. He was very in his chosen calling, and soon began nufad ring on his own account at Winsted, king fine cassimeres. Later he moved to

Walden, Orange Co., N. Y., where he manufactured cassimeres and satinets, and in 1852 went to Ches- ter, Conn., as a satinet manufacturer. In 1858 he came to Old Lyme and leased Lay's old stone mill for five years, after which he built a grist mill and woolen mill, and continued to manufacture satinets until his death. He married (first) Joanna Perry, of Webster, Mass., daughter of Roland Ferry, and they had two children, Anna, who resides in Old Lyme; and John Henry, who is mentioned below. Mrs. Joanna (Perry) Bradbury died in Webster, and Mr. Bradbury married (second) Emma Waite, of Orange county, N. Y. Her father was an Eng- lishman. To this union was born one son, Charles D., who died in childhood. John Bradbury was a Republican in politics. His death occurred in Old Lyme, where he had spent his later years.

As a boy John Henry Bradbury attended school in Webster, Mass., Walden, N. Y., and Chester, Conn., where he was a pupil of Washington F. Will- cox. He was also a student in 1858 and 1859 at Rev. William Dennison's boarding school at Win- throp, Conn. His first experience in mill work was at Chester, where he was identified with the firm of J. & W. Bradbury-the same name being retained for five years after the business was moved to Old Lyme. For a year he carried on the woolen mill at Niantic, and then went into partnership with his father and his uncle James, in the John Bradbury Company. In 1870 the firm stopped manufacturing, and went into the wool scouring business with a fifty-cent tub, and soon purchased a $5,000 machine. The mill for this work is run by water power, and employs about ten men. The annual freight bills average about $5,000. Mr. Bradbury spends a por- tion of each year in the field buying wool, and the finished product is sold to dealers and to the mills.

Mr. Bradbury married, in East Lyme, Josephine Way, daughter of Nathan Way, of that place. They have one son, Harry W., a young man of twenty- two. Mr. Bradbury is a member of Pythagoras Lodge, No. 45, A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a Republican, and in 1903 he served as representative to the State Legislature from Old Lyme, serving on committee on Fisheries and Game, but with this ex- ception he has uniformly refused all public office.

CHARLES E. MAIN, the present town clerk of Voluntown, is one of the best known citizens in his section of New London county. He was for many years engaged in contracting and building in Voluntown and vicinity. Mr. Main was born in the town of Groton, New London county, Feb. I, 1827, and is a descendant of one of the oldest fam- ilies of the county. His first ancestor of whom we have record,

Benajah Main, had nine children: Abel, Sam- uel, Thomas, John, Manogal, Dolly, Phoebe, Abby and Sarah.

Samuel Main, son of Benajah, was engaged in farming in Ledyard, where he lived to a ripe old age,

JOF the S la 1 rn in ebster, Mass., Dec. 12, 184I. Jam Bradbury, his grandfather, was a native Englad, a spinner by occupation. He married Buckley, also a native of England, and

hın.,

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

dying at the age of eighty-six. He married Sally Chapman, who was a native of Rhode Island, and who died at the age of eighty years. Both were buried in the family burying-ground at Ledyard. Eight children blessed their union, as follows : Sam- uel ; Joshua; William, who married Sally Brown; Dudley ; Bridget, who married Dennis Main; War- ren, who married Hannah Sisson; Sally Ann; and Elias Randal, who married Abby Chapman. All are dead but Sally Ann, who makes her home in Stonington.

Samuel Main, son of Samuel, and father of Hon. Charles E. Main, was born in 1803, in Ledyard. He became a man of prominence, active in town af- fairs, serving in various official capacities with rare fidelity and ability. He died in 1885, at the ripe old age of eighty-five years, and was buried in the Mill- town cemetery. He was married in 1823 to Patty Tift, who was born in South Stonington, Conn., and died at the age of seventy years; she was buried in Milltown cemetery. Six children were born to Sam- uel and Patty Main: (1) Samuel L., born July 5, 1824, married Katharine Chapman and (second) Emily Barber. (2) Charles E., born Feb. 1, 1827, is mentioned below. (3) Eliza J., born Dec. 18, 1830, married Daniel Holdridge. (4) Susan A., born Feb. 20, 1833, married Erastus Park, and re- sides in Stonington. (5) Orrin Tift, born July 4, 1834, married Mary Johnson, and died Sept. 5, 1889. (6) Aurelia, twin sister of Orrin Tift, mar- ried John Frink.

Charles E. Main obtained his education in the public schools of his native home. He taught school in Voluntown one term, after which he removed to Norwich and became engaged in the mercantile business until 1859 when he returned to Voluntown. Here he was engaged in the Briggs Manufacturing Company for twenty years, and though now living retired is still active, possessing all his faculties. Mr. Main is a stanch Democrat and served in the Legislature „in 1861, 1874 and 1897, having the honor of being the choice of both parties. He has also filled the offices of selectman, member of the board of relief, and justice of peace. He has made out a large number of legal papers and performed many marriage ceremonies. Mr. Main is temper- ate in his habits, and the Golden Rule is his standard of conduct. He attends the Baptist Church, of which he is a liberal supporter.

Mr. Main was married in Plainfield, Oct. 6, 1850, to Sarah H. Crary, who was born in Plain- field June 19, 1830, daughter of James Crary, of that place, and died in Voluntown Jan. 15, 1875 ; she was buried in Griswold cemetery. Mrs. Main attended the Baptist Church, was a good Christian, a kind mother and wife, and a good neighbor. Mr. and Mrs. Main had six children: (1) Sarah Eliza- beth, born July 3, 1853, married March 6, 1871, J. G. Tyler, and to them have come three children- Elmer J., born June 14, 1876, who is an invalid; Mamie N., born Nov. 12, 1881, who died Aug. 20,

1889; and Carrie E., born Jan. 5, 1883. (2) arles Edwin, born June 22, 1859, in Voluntown, wedu- cated there, and learned the trade of carpen with his father, engaging with the Briggs Manufacturing Company. He was married in Voluntown Jule 27, 1880, to Mary E. Adams, who was born East Killingly, Conn., daughter of Arnold and Kafirine (Fitzgerald) Adams. They have had on child, Charles Vernon, born Jan. 7, 1884, who wh his mother is a member of the Baptist Church , both are active church workers. (3) Lucy R., bofMay 28, 1865, was educated in the Voluntown fublic school and a private school in New Lond and

taught school in Voluntown and vicinity for ber of terms. On Sept. 4, 1886, she married farles S. Hazard, and resides in Providence, R. I .; } has had five children, one of whom died young, ranely : Byron, Bessie, Gertrude, Lois and Charle (4) Martha Aurelia, born April 14, 1857, died In. 6, 1869. (5) Byron Elmer and (6) Bertha mma, twins, were born Sept. 23, 1870. He died . b. 25,. 1872, and she died Jan. 29, 1872; both are juried in the Griswold cemetery.

Mr. Main married for his second wife, on feb. 7, 1876, Mary E. Colgrove, who was born in

sbon, Oct. 10, 1846, daughter of Christopher andLydia (Rouse) Colgrove, and sister of Dr. Char

Col- grove, of Willimantic. There have been chil- dren by this union. Mrs. Main is a member ,f the Baptist Church.

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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 96

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