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 99

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 99

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Thomas Winn Casey was born in Ireland, as be- fore stated, and educated in the common schools, attending until he was fourteen years of age. About this time his father died, and for a short time young Casey was employed on a farm. Shortly thereafter he sailed from Queenstown, in June, 1871, on the "City of Limerick," for America, arriving in New York July 4, 1871. In New York Mr. Casey re- mained about two years, working at the quarry business, of which he had obtained a fair knowledge under his father's instructions. In April, 1873, he came to New London, and was apprenticed to Charles Stoll, as a stonecutter, remaining in his employ about five years. Then, in 1878, he formed a partnership with M. D. Buckley, under the firm style of Buckley & Casey, and established the mon- umental business on Bank street. This connection continued for about five years, when Mr. Casey sold his interest to his partner and leased the Scully quarries in Groton, successfully conducting same for about twelve years, during which time he manu- factured his product into granite monuments, etc.

Mr. Casey then became largely interested in ex- tensive quarries in Green's Landing, now Stoning- ton, Maine, shipping his product to New York and Boston and other large markets. Some years later he took into partnership S. Clinton Sherwood, of

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

New York, in which city they established their head office at the corner of Twenty-third street and Fifth avenue, the firm becoming Casey & Sherwood and thus continuing ten years. The business increased and grew very rapidly, the manufactured products from their quarries going into nearly all the New England and Middle States, and as far west as Wis- consin, Utah and California, in all of which States the firm has erected costly work. At the expira- tion of these ten years Mr. Casey sold his interest to Mr. Sherwood, who is still conducting the enter- prise, his headquarters being in New York. Since selling Mr. Casey has been acting as general man- ager of Mr. Sherwood's interests, his vast experi- ence in this line fitting him for his responsible po- sition.

Socially Mr. Casey is a member of Fairview Lodge, No. IOI, I. O. O. F., and of the A. O. U. W. lodge at Groton, Conn., and is also a member of New London Council, No. 1484, Royal Arcanum.

Mr. Casey and his family are members of St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church of New London. Politically he is a Republican, but his business in- terests do not permit him to give much attention to public affairs.

On May 1, 1883, Mr. Casey was united in mar- riage with Julia Ann Scully, daughter of James Scully, who was an extensive quarry owner in Gro- ton. Their children are: Elizabeth M. graduated from the Williams Memorial Institute, New Lon- don, in 1902; John F. was graduated from the Bulkeley high school, New London, in 1902, and expects to fit himself for the practice of medicine at Columbia University ; James will graduate from the Bulkeley high school in 1905; Frank is also at- tending that school; William is attending the gram- mar school ; Mary is a student in the Harbor school ; Clara is attending kindergarten.

Mr. Casey and his family reside in a pleasant home at No. 106 Ocean avenue, which was formerly the home of the late Capt. John Brown, of New London, and there they dispense a gracious hospi- tality.

EDWARD JUDSON MINER, a prominent citizen of Bozrah who wields great influence for good in his community, is a representative of an ancient and honorable family.

According to "American Ancestry" the Miner family is descended from Lieut. Thomas Miner (or Minor), who bore a conspicuous part in the settle- ment of New London and Stonington, his personal history belonging more particularly to the latter town. He was born April 23, 1608, son of Clement Miner, and a descendant of Sir Henry Miner of Mendippe Colles Minerarij, Mendippe Hills, County of Somerset, England, who died in 1359, and with whom the name of Miner is said to have originated during the reign of King Edward III-1327-1377. From Sir Henry Miner Lieut. Thomas was in the tenth generation, through Henry (2), William,

Thomas, Lodovick, Thomas, William, Willlt . 20 and Clement.

Lieut. Thomas Miner married Grace, fighter of Walter Palmer, and five of their ten loren were born-one at Charlestown, Mass .. 1 the others at Hingham, Mass .- before the pa Mis re- moved, in 1646, to New London, Conn., why we. born the remainder. These children wer John. Clement, Thomas, Ephraim, Joseph, Maissel. Ann, Maria, Samuel and Hannah. The el ft son, John, was born in Charlestown in 1636, and firried Elizabeth Booth. He was for a short peri funder instruction at the expense of the commissi fers (1 the New England Colonies, who wished to fepar. him for an interpreter and teacher of the ( bel t the Indians, as they did also John Stanton feither of whom, however, followed the course ma Id out by their patrons, though both became use turning their education to good account as record- nten, ers, justices, etc. John Miner, it is suppo! e101- grated to Stratford in 1657-58, and from the went to Woodbury, Conn., where he served as to f clerk for many years. The only son of Thoma Miner who settled permanently in New Lonc Clement Miner, whose name appears on the Records as ensign and deacon. He married (first) , 160_ Frances, relict of Isaac Wiley, Jr. She died | 1673. and he married (second) Martha, daughter [Wil - iam Wellman. She died in 1700, and he arried (third) Joanna. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant wa , lineal descendant of Lieut. Thomas Miner.

Thomas Miner, grandfather. of Edwardudson Miner, was a farmer by occupation. Thegreater part of his active life was spent in Bozralput in. his later years he made his home with his in An- drew, who resided in Salem, Conn. Thom: Miner died in his carriage, of heart failure, whil on the road between Bozrah and Salem, and he waburied in the Baptist Church cemetery in the latt town. He was well advanced in years, and was tl father of several sons and two daughters, Charles being one of the older members of the family.

Charles T. Miner, son of Thomas, was born in Bozrah. In his younger days he was enga das a Yankee peddler, selling notions throughou Penn- sylvania and neighboring States, where he It with considerable success. Later he took up bu ering, finding employment in that line in Norwi. He established a meat market in Fitchville, a there continued until his death, which occurred que sud- denly March 17, 1872, when he was aged fi -eight years. In his political faith he was first Whig and later a Republican, and he exercised a od in- fluence in his party. His religious connec n was with the Bozrah Congregational Church. ( Sept. 20, 1840, Mr. Miner married Caroline M. B ood, a native of Voluntown, where her family wa:, num- erous one. She died Dec. 30, 1877, age sixty- three years. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles ] Miner were born the following children : Frances , born Sept. 5, 1841, died July 14, 1865. Charles , born

É Said son Munier

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1844, was a butcher by trade, and died in leaving three children, Lloyd E., Orrin 'hebe L. Sarah M., born Oct. 10, 1846, William F. Long, and resides in Bozrah Edward Judson was born Nov. 10, 1848. born Oct. 20, 1850, died Oct. 30, 1870. Ed 'd Judson Miner received his education in dist schools of his native town of Bozrah. careful tuition of his father he learned

der

tra of butcher, and remained with him an asistant until his death in 1872, when he suc- ded the business. He greatly increased the de b the institution of modern methods, and o bylie addition of a wholesale establishment, d he opon found himself obliged to keep two gons ; bus ındin enty- inning to meet the growing demands of ss, their routes extending into the sur- towns of Norwich and Franklin. For years Mr. Miner conducted this busi- ss, si? years of the time having a partner, Mr. rdine der th n yea

Avery, with whom he was associated firm name of Miner & Avery. About fif- ago, because of ill health, Mr. Miner dis- sed of is business to William F. Bogue, and has ce be o farr was met

engaged at farming ; he had conducted together with his meat business, so that · entering into unfamiliar duties, and he zith prosperity in his chosen line. His m, fo eight t yea erly known as the "Abel Farm," consists ight acres of highly cultivated land. In he has dealt quite extensively in cattle, 1 he 1 acquired a good reputation as a judge live. s. k.

On Iv. 10, 1875, Mr. Miner was united in Triage vith Hattie Sophia Johnson, who was 11 in Ivrah in 1855, daughter of Isaac and Han- (Hogh) Johnson. Four children came of this on: Etha Caroline, who is at home; Frances lwin,life of William F. Herrick, of Yantic; tie Shia, at home; and Charles Judson, who 1 in il ncy.

In the political world Mr. Miner plays a prom- it paris a stanch advocate of Republican prin-

·S. I has been called many times to hold pub- office, 1 in 1879, 1800 and in 1897 was the Boz- itative in the State Assembly, in the lat-

repre sessi serving on the committee on School 1902 he was the delegate from his town cls. Constitutional Convention. For a num- f vea he has served continuously on the board electr tman of the lestio: loven F of th 1, and for several years has been first He has also been grand juror and mem- oard of assessors. His public spirit is 1 and he is found among the leaders of Its that tend to the advancement of his early twenty years he has been a mem- New London County Fair Association, 1g se ed as a director for about eight years, in 190 he was elected president of that organi- A

ne Sta

n. Miner served four years as a member board of agriculture. He was one of 8

the prime movers in the organization of the Bozrah Creamery Association, and has been its president, secretary and agent. The religious connection of the family is with the Bozrah Congregational Church, in which Mr. Miner is a member of the Society's committee, and Miss Bertha is president of' the Ladies Aid Society. The family is highly es- teemed, and their pleasant home is a most hospitable one.

ADAMS. The name of Adams has been fa- miliar to the student of American history from the days of the Pilgrim fathers. That branch of the family residing in the town of Lisbon, New London county, so worthily represented by the late Jeremiah Kinsman Adams and his progeny, traces its lineage ' to Richard Adams, the first of his name in the county, who settled early in the eighteenth century on a farm which has since been in the family name. This farm he purchased from Major James Fitch, one of the proprietors of the town of Norwich, who acquired his land direct from the Indian Chief Un- cas. Richard Adams was the father of eleven chil- dren : Richard, Joseph, Daniel, John, Isaac, Re- becca, William, Susannah, Mary, Esther and Martha.

William Adams, son of Richard, was the next in direct line. He married, and in his family was a son Phineas.

Phineas Adams, son of William, was a farmer, and died Jan. 7, 1789. On Dec. 31, 1751, he mar- ried Lydia, granddaughter of Major James, and great-granddaughter of Rev. James Fitch, the latter the first pastor of the first church organized in Nor- wich. Mrs. Adams died July 14, 1820, in her eighty-sixth year. Their children were: William, born Oct. 28, 1752, is mentioned below ; Asahel, born Sept. 13, 1754, removed to Warren, Ohio; Abigail, born Dec. 7, 1756, married Septimus Lath- rop ; Wealthy, born Feb. 21, 1760, married Joshua Bishop ; Phineas, born Aug. 21, 1762, married Lydia Bishop ; Roger, born Nov. 6, 1766, married (first) Mary Willoughby and (second) Mrs. Marshall ; Jabez, born Aug. 23, 1767, married (first) a Miss Swift and (second) a Miss Ensworth; Fitch, born Jan. 20, 1772, married (first) Amy Bacon and ( sec- ond) Sarah Morgan; Lydia, born May 4, 1774, married Thomas Sargent ; and Alice, born Oct. 13, 1776, married Simon Rudd, and died Oct. 10, 1810.

Deacon William Adams, son of Phineas, was a farmer, and he passed his entire life on the home- stead, except for the years he served as a soldier in the Revolutionary army, a service for which he drew a pension for some years. In his politics he was a Whig, and he was always active in the affairs of the town, having held about every office in the gift of his fellow townsmen, giving in return for the honors they conferred conscientious, upright conduct of the duties imposed upon him. His liber- ality was well known, and so difficult was it for him to refuse he often found himself inconvenienced

he Sta

g. 3 rwic and rrie eet. rin

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

by his giving. In the Newent Congregational Church he served many years as deacon. His genial happy disposition made him as greatly beloved as his upright life of strict morality and high integrity made him respected. He died Dec. 8, 1840, and was buried in the cemetery in the south part of Canterbury, near his home. On Dec. 18, 1776, he was married to Phillis Ensworth, of Canterbury, who was born April 26, 1753, and who died March 30, 1834, the mother of children as follows: Sybil, born Nov. 13, 1777, died Oct. 13, 1809; Lucy, born Dec. 14, 1779, married Fanning Tracey, and died March 12, 1819; Roswell was born May 6, 1782.

Roswell Adams, son of Deacon William, suc- ceeded his father to the farm, and proved himself worthy the honored name he bore. He, too, took an active part in the work of the Newent Congre- gational Church. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican. He was called upon to fill many of the town offices, and represented the town one term in the Legislature. On Feb. 7, 1810, he married Sarah Kinsman, of Plainfield, daughter of Jeremiah and Sarah (Douglass) Kinsman, and granddaughter of Gen. Douglass, of Revolutionary fame. In 1809 Mr. Adams's father had erected the home now standing, and thither Roswell Adams took his bride. She died May 18, 1842, aged fifty- seven years. Eight children blessed their home, of whom we have record as follows: (1) Sybil Maria, born June 20, 1811, married May 4, 1841, Edward Spalding, and resided first in Brooklyn, Conn., and latter in Plainfield, where she died Feb. 9, 1854. She had two children: Maria Elizabeth, born March 12, 1846, is the widow of A. Thornton Storey, and resides in Jewett City ; and Henry A., born Sept. I, 1850, married Amanda W. Benjamin, and died in Norwich, July 9, 1900. (2) Thomas Kinsman, born July 8, 1813, removed to Detroit, Mich., where he died June 16, 1876, leaving a widow and four children. (3) Susannah, born July 5, 1815, mar- ried Feb. 7, 1837, James Johnson, a native of Gris- wold, who became a merchant and the president of the old Jewett City National Bank, continuing in the latter position until compelled to give up busi- ness on account of failing eyesight. For more than thirty years before his death Mr. Johnson was partially blind and lived retired. His death occurred Feb. 21, 1899, at the old Adams homestead in Lis- bon, and he was buried at Jewett City. His widow still resides in the old home where she was born. . They had no children. (4) William, born Sept. 5, 1817, died Jan. 5, 1822. (5) Edward, born Sept. I, 1819, died May 7, 1842. (6) Sarah Douglass, born Jan. 22, 1822, died unmarried May 26, 1863. (7) Mary Kinsman, born Oct. 12, 1824, married Henry A. Lathrop, and resided in Griswold, where she died Dec. 2, 1877. She was the mother of three children: Edward A., born Sept. 25, 1861, died Dec. 29, 1886; Sarah G., born Nov. 12, 1862, mar- ried Simeon Dyer, of Boston, and died at Augusta, Ga., April 13, 1886; and Lydia Campbell, born Nov.

10, 1864, died Dec. 3, 1884. (8) Jeremiah Kimpan completed the family.

JEREMIAH KINSMAN ADAMS was born Se # 26, 1826, in the old Lisbon home. The district spools afforded him a good foundation for his edu ion, his literary training being continued in the pool at Jewett City, in a select school at Norwich, aby a short period of study in the Plainfield Act my. He remained on the home farm, assisting his her, in- until the latter's death, when he bought out terests of the other heirs. He continued to make his home there as long as he lived, and h lied there Sept. 8, 1893; his remains rest in the me- tery near his home. He was six feet in heig spare build, and possessed much strength. entil within a few years of his death his health } al- e11- ways been excellent, and he was a man of mu durance.

Early in life Mr. Adams affiliated with the t'hig party in politics, but upon the organization @ the Republican party he transferred his allegian to the new, and afterward was a stanch advocat if its principles. In 1871 he represented his distet in the State Senate, where he served as chair [1 of the committee on Humane Institutions. Of th focal offices he held about every one within the et of the people, performing his duties with a co pien- tious fidelity that made him an ideal public stant. When a young man he united with the Mvent Congregational Church, and was always int. sted in its many good works. He was a regular fend- ant at divine service until failing health pre pted. His death was a distinct loss to the communit , His genial personality won him many warm iends, and a sense of personal loss saddened all wh [new him, when the sad news became known. his posterity he left an untarnished name.

In Scituate, R. I., Sept. 7, 1853, Jeremial Kills- man Adams was united in marriage with Eli An- gell, a native of that place, born Sept. 23 831, a daughter of Andrew and Amy (Aldrich) gell. She now makes her home in Jewett City. S cliil- dren were born of this marriage: Edward A born March 17, 1855, died in October, 1862; Alrew Angell, born March 27, 1857, is mentioned low ; Elizabeth, born June 26, 1859, married, N. 22, 1882, Frank Pendleton, and died April 3. 188 |Car- oline. A., born Oct. 27, 1862, married, Oct. 2 1890, G. Curtis Hull, manager of the Ponemah se, at Taftville, Conn., and they have three childre Eliz- abeth A., Helen A. and Ruth K .; Alice Rud born Jan. 3, 1864, married, Sept. 17, 1889, Frank : Rob- inson, secretary and treasurer of the Jewo City Savings Bank, and died July 17, 1903, the other of two children, Theodore and Marion ; Sara Kins- man was born Jan. 9, 1875.

ANDREW ANGELL ADAMS, son of Jeremia Kins- man, now occupies the old home where he wi born. His education was acquired in the district hools, and he gave his attention to work on the hom stead until he was thirty years of age, when he yi ed to

, of

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

piri the unrest and accepted a position as fireman w York & New England railroad, now a 't of : Consolidated system. Later he was pro- ted ring be engineer, and he continued in this r kun. recalled home by the death of his father. e time he was working on the railroad he 1 ma ceed his residence at Plainfield, Conn. He has admirably in caring for the old home, ich it ne of the charming places in Lisbon.

y Mr. Adams belongs to Protection ). 19, I. O. O. F., at Central Village, and Encampment, Danielson. He held several

the lodge, and was considered one of the embers, his cheerful, generous disposition m a most companionable man.

t. 19, 1882, Andrew A. Adams was mar- len Browning, of Griswold, daughter of and Sarah (Campbell) Browning. They popier in the social life of Lisbon, and worthily ar on of the honored names of New London unty.

DR. ASHINGTON W. SHEFFIELD, in his e of the leading Dentists of New Eng- born in North Stonington, Conn., April son of Rev. John Sheffield. etime d, w: 1827 The cestry of the Sheffield family dates back e of the Norman conquest of England, Edmund Shefield accompanied the great the en or illiam 1 his invasion. In process of time three others lescended from this Edmund, came to herical; nd one, Amos Sheffield, settled in Rhode y that time the name had assumed its m of spelling.

and. ·sent (I) los, the emigrant, was born in Sheffield, une 7, 1602, and came to this country esumably with the Winthrop Colony. gland 1630, (II) aiah was born in Boston, July 10, 1638. (III) mos (2) was born in Newport, R. I., July

1660

nos (3) was born Feb. 3, 1764. He had chilon: Rev. John, William, Amos, Betsey, nnah eet f th of , and anda (VI) Nov. ningt temak In in ce la n and y yea nted 7.

(IV)john was born in Newport May 3, 1710. V)

d Mary. His wife was a cousin of the

ily, of New England fame. After the mos Sheffield she married William Mer- 'o children were born to them, John and

ev. John Sheffield was born in Exeter, R. 1798. When a young man he went to Conn., and settled in business as a car- He became a prominent figure in the any ways, for in addition to his prom- as a preacher, he was trial justice of the chairman of the board of education for , held several other town offices, and rep- orth Stonington in the Legislature in

For n ly years a member of the M. E. Church, h Sheeld became convinced that he was called he n istry, and was first licensed to exhort

June 27, 1836, by Rev. Erastus Benton. On Nov. 4, 1837, he was licensed to preach by Presiding Elder L. Dorchester; he was ordained deacon by Bishop Janes July 7, 1844, at the Conference held in Newport, R. I .; and elder by Bishop Hedding, April 9, 1848, in New London.

The Sweet family, with whom Rev. John Shef- field was connected on the maternal side, were noted for their skill in bone-setting, and he seemed to have inherited much of their deftness; he often came to the assistance of the injured, and although his aid was as efficacious as a physician's he never made any charge for his services.

In his wife Rev. John Sheffield had a true help- meet and a devoted mother to their children. Her maiden name was Eliza Lewis, and they were mar- ried Feb. 6, 1820. They had a large family, as fol- lows : Frances Eliza, born Sept. 21, 1821, in North Stonington, the birthplace of all the children; John Franklin, June 8, 1823; an infant son, who died Dec. 27, 1825, aged seven weeks and four days; Washington W .; Lucius Tracy, Feb. 20, 1830; An- drew Jackson, May 12, 1832; Ann Judson, May II, 1834; Julia Tracy, July 31, 1837; Mary Hannah, July 19, 1839.

Dr. Washington W. Sheffield was born in North Stonington, Conn., April 23, 1827, grew up in his native town, and was educated in its public schools. He gained his professional education in a Dental College, and after graduation supplemented that training by practical experience in the offices of Dr. J. A. G. Comstock, of New London, and Dr. Charles Allen, of New York, the latter one of the most eminent members of the dental profession at that time. The young dentist's knowledge of mak- ing artificial teeth was further perfected under the tuition of Dr. D. H. Porter, unquestionably the best authority of his time on such matters.

Equipped with this preliminary training and fa- vored by nature with clear perceptions, Dr. Shef- field came to New London in April, 1852, and con- tinued his practice there until a few years before his death. He always made that city his home, and his success as a practitioner is too well known to need much comment. It is given to but few to attain the eminence in their vocations that Dr. Sheffield did in his profession, and his practice was one of the largest and most successful ever secured by a New England dentist.

For some time in his private practice Dr. Shef- field had used the preparation known to the world as Creme Dentifrice, and with such pleasing and signal results that the demand prompted its manu- facture on a larger scale. This led to the erection of the laboratory on Waller street, and as soon as the preparation was placed on the market and its qualities made known, the marked increase in the demand was felt. This business was conducted under the watchful supervision of Dr. Sheffield and absolute purity in the ingredients used was strictly enjoined. In 1887 the business was thoroughly sys-

Soci dge Unit ices i

pular king On d to riah

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tematized, and incorporated under the name of the Sheffield Dentifrice Company.

Dr. Sheffield was married to Miss Harriet P. Browne, daughter of Richard and Julia Browne, of Providence, R. I., and one son came to this union, L. T. Sheffield, who followed his father's profession. After his graduation from the Harvard Dental School he further perfected himself by two years' study in Europe. In 1881 he located in New York City, and at the time of his death, in New York, he was among the most successful practitioners of the Metropolis. Both he and his father attained most enviable standing and reputation in their profes- sion.

Dr. W. W. Sheffield was a man of fine physique and vigorous mentality, and was not only honored in his professional capacity, but greatly liked as a man. His death occurred in 1897, and the follow- ing tribute from a local paper was one of the many expressions of regret at the sad event :

"The death of Dr. Washington W. Sheffield, which took place at his home on Broad street, re- moves from New London one of its most respected citizens. He was born in North Stonington, April 23, 1827. As a citizen and a professional man he had for nearly fifty years occupied a conspicuous place in the city. Of striking appearance, affable manners and ready sympathy, he won the respect of all classes."

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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 99

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