History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 84

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 818

USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 84

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Dr. Williams possessed some qualities which constitute the good physician in more than a common degree. At the bedside of the sick he was calm, self-possessed, cheerful, hopeful, and so benefitted his patients by in- spiring them with hope, as well as by his prescriptions. If in diseases of a mild type he trusted more than some to the vis medicatrix nature, he had good authority for doing so; while he was prompt and not sparing with potent remedies in cases demanding their use. Practicing in a region of rough and hilly roads, a considerable por- tion of it but sparsely populated, and frequently called upon long and fatiguing rides, very few, it is believed, have more promptly or faithfully responded to the sum- mons of the sick, undeterred by storm, darkness, or little prospect of other compensation than a consciousness of having ministered to the relief of suffering humanity. Imbued with much of the esprit de corps, he was jealous of the honor of the profession, and showed little favor to quacks and their abettors. He usually attended and enjoyed meetings of his professional brethren. By a recommendation of the Connecticut Medical Society, he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine from Yale College in 1843. In 1853, he represented the Middlesex County Medical Society at a meeting of the American Medical Association, and repeatedly attended the State convention in the same capacity. He appre. ciated and improved the privileges of citizenship, and faithfully discharged its duties. He took an interest in whatever pertained to human progress, whether local or general, and kept himself posted therein. In the family

and social circle, he was uniformly kind, social, and genial.

Dr. Williams, moreover, thought and acted with refer- ence to the future as well as the present life. In 1839, he became, and continued to the time of his death, a communicant of the First Congregational Church in East Haddam.

In 1824, he married Miss Clarissa M. Peck, daughter of Ezekiel Peck, of Millington Society.

Three children were the result of this marriage: H. E. Williams, M. D., who graduated at the N. Y. Uni- versity Medical College in 1847, and practiced his profession in the city of New York until 1864, when he entered the service of his country as assistant surgeon of volunteers. He died from disease contracted while in the service.

George Gilbert, the second son, is president of the Chemical Bank, New York. A third, and the youngest child, a son, died in infancy.

GEORGE GILBERT WILLIAMS.

Not only has Middlesex county produced some of the greatest statesmen, jurists, divines, and military heroes that adorn the annals of American History, but some of the most prominent business men and ablest financiers in the country were born and reared side by side with the honest, hard working farmers of this county, and have inherited those sterling traits of character chat dis- tinguish the sons of New England wherever they are found.

Among the prominent financiers may be mentioned George Gilbert Williams, president of the Chemical Na- tional Bank of New York, one of the long established, best conducted, and most successful and foremost finan- cial institutions in the great metropolis.

Mr. Williams comes from a race of men distinguished for their piety, their zeal, and their devoted and firm ad- herence to the great principles of civil and religious liberty, among whom was Roger Williams, said to be of Welsh origin. The immediate ancestor of Mr. Williams was born in Norwich, Conn., and settled in East Had- dam. His father was Dr. Datus Williams, who for forty years was a prominent physician of that town; and his mother was Clarissa Maria Peck, of Millington Society, in the town of East Haddam.

George Gilbert Williams, the subject of this sketch, was born at East Haddam, on the 9th of October 1826. As a child he was thoughtful, earnest, ambitious, and studious, and faithfully improved every opportunity afforded him for the acquisition of knowledge. At an early age he was instructed at the district school and then at the academy, and afternoons by the clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Isaac Parsons, in his native town, and then sent to the Brainerd Academy at Haddam, which was then a flourishing institution. He applied himself with great assiduousness to his studies, and made rapid pro- gress especially in mathematics.

When he was but 15 years of age, at the carnest solicita- tion of Mr. John Quentin Jones, president of the Chem-

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

ical Bank, New York, he was sent thither and entered that bank as assistant to the paying teller. The same fidelity, honesty, and application that characterized him as a boy, were displayed in his new relations as a busi- ness man, and he rose rapidly, filling the position of pay- ing teller when he was but 20 years of age, being at that time the youngest paying teller in the city of New York. In 1855, he was elected cashier, which position he filled for many years, displaying great financial ability. His judgment and skill were put to the severest test during this period, which included the great financial crisis of 57; the bank passed through the trying ordeal, meeting all its obligations in gold.

From his early childhood he enjoyed the uninterrupted friendship of Mr. Jones, the president of the bank, who was his faithful adviser, companion, and kind benefac- tor, and on the death of that estimable gentleman, which occurred on the Ist of January 1878, Mr. Williams was elected to fill the office made vacant by his decease.

He devoted himself to the duties and responsibilities incumbent on the position, but he found time, neverthe- less, to satisfy the demands made by his friends to fill other positions of trust and responsibility, especially those that appealed to his sympathies and large hearted benevolence. He is one of the governors of the Lying-in Hospital, of New York, is a director in the Fidelity and Casualty Company, formed for the purpose of giving bonds for bank clerks, and others, who are unable to give the necessary security in obtaining positions of trust and responsibility. He is a member of the executive com- mittee of the Union Trust Company, treasurer of the In- stitute for Savings of Merchants' Clerks, and trustee in the United States Life Insurance Company.

Mr. Williams' principles are based upon thoughtful and sincere religious convictions, and he is a member and vestryman of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, on Madison avenue.

Economy and prudence, united to careful and judi- cious investments, have had their usual result, and he has accumulated a liberal fortune, which is used in a liberal but unostentatious manner.

At his beautiful residence on Fifty-eighth street, near Fifth avenue, he entertains his numerous friends, who always find a hearty welcome. In his well assorted libra- ry and handsome paintings he finds ample scope for the gratification of his literary and artistic tastes.

With all the new formed associations, however, he still cherishes a special fondness for the scenes of his child- hood, and delights to linger near the spot where, under the tender care of fond parents, he received his first im- pressions of life.

On the 14th of November 1867, he married Virginia, daughter of Aaron King, of New York. While this union has been blessed by five children, only one, viz., Clara Jay, remains to cheer them in their declining years, the others having passed through the golden gates to await at the portals of Heaven the coming of their par- ents. Of those who have " gone before " are Nina Buell, born October 20th 1868, died April 11th 1875; Roy

Quentin, born October 8th 1874, died September 19th 1882; Clinton Caswell, born May Ist 1877, died May IIth 1877; and Irene, born October 27th 1878, died Jan- uary 7th 1882.

The secret of Mr. William's success may be attributed to his unswerving fidelity, as a religious duty, to every trust committed to him. And his life affords a worthy example to the young men of the present generation, who think that characters are formed and fortunes made within a brief space of time. Nature has not lavished on him extraordinary gifts, but he has made the best use of the opportunities afforded him, and has received his just reward in this world, with the promise of the reward that is to come, when the Judge of all the earth shall say " well done, good and faithful servant."

LUTHER BOARDMAN.

Luther Boardman commenced life as a poor boy, and worked his own way up, unaided by relatives or friends. He was the fourth child of Jason Boardman and Lydia Deming, and was born at Rocky Hill, Connecticut, De- cember 26th 1812. His father and grandfather were both sea captains, and from them he probably inherited those traits of character that were the foundation of his success in life. He attended school during the winter months until he was sixteen, when he apprenticed himself to Ashabel Griswold, a Britannia ware manufacturer, of Meriden, Connecticut, where he continued until he be- came of age. He then went to South Reading, Massa- chusetts (now Wakefield), and took charge of an estab- lishment in the same line of business, owned by Burrage Yale, and at the end of two years became himself the proprietor. In 1837, he returned to Meriden, and subse- quently removed to Chester, Connecticut, where he as- sociated himself with Russell & Beach, Brittania and hollow ware manufacturers. Soon after this he started" the manufacture of spoons in the same place, and in 1842, he removed to East Haddam, and has since been engaged largely in the manufacture of plated ware.

In 1864 and 1865, he represented the town in the State Legislature, and was one of the delegates from Connecti- cut to the convention that nominated General Grant for his first term.

He was one of the original proprietors of, and the lar- gest stockholder in, the Connecticut Valley Railroad and its first vice-president. He was for a number of years land commissioner of the State for the road, and as such assisted in laying out and establishing the line of the road, and he was one of the original incorporators and a large stockholder in the bank of New England.

October 18th 1838, he married Lydia Ann, daughter of James A. Frary, by whom he has one child, Norman S., born August 5th 1840.

WILLIAM H. GOODSPEED.

Dr. Field, in his "Statistical History of Middlesex County," gives the names of Nathaniel Goodspeed as one of the earliest settlers of that part of the town of East Haddam, now known as Goodspeed's Landing. He

FAMMI GOOD SPEED

327

EAST HADDAM-BIOGRAPHIES.

came from within the bounds of the Plymouth colony, about 1670, and probably followed the occupation of a farmer. Some of his descendants must have crossed the river, for Joseph Goodspeed, the father of William H., kept a small store at Tylerville previous to 1804. In that year he removed to East Haddain and opened a store in the old building near the ship yard. He mar- ried Laura, daughter of Nathan Tyler, of Haddam, by whom he had six children: George E., William H., Joseph F., Mary Ann, Nathan T., and Sophia. His first wife died in 1832, and not long after he married the widow of Dr. Bigelow.

William H. was born at East Haddam, on the 29th of December 1815. He attended the public, and part of the time a private school, until he was sixteen years of age. He was a smart, active boy, and attended to most of the outdoor business of his father. Soon after he be- came of age he became a member of the firm with his father and brother, and on the death of his father the business was continued by him and his brother. While he attended strictly to the business of the firm he was active in the promotion of public enterprises. He was one of the original incorporators of the Bank of New England, of which he was first vice- president and subsequently president. He was for a number of years vice-president and manager of the Hart- ford and New York Steamboat Company; was one of the projectors of the Connecticut Valley Railroad Company, and was indefatigable in his exertions to make the enter- prise a success. He, in connection with his brother, was largely engaged in the business of ship building, and one of the thirteen gun boats ordered by the Government during the war of the Rebellion was built by him at East Haddam. This was the Kanawaha of 569 tons, built in 860.

He could never be induced to accept any political nomination, yet he was one of the most active politicians in his native town and used his influence to advance the interests of his friends.

He was never known to shrink from any duty, and whenever he became involved in litigation, either in his private or representative capacity, he would fight to the bitter end for what he believed to be right. He was generous to a fault, and could always be relied upon to aid in any benevolent enterprise. He has left his im- press upon the community where he lived and his public acts will remain as a perpetual monument to his memory.

On the 19th of April 1847, he married Louisa M. Robbins, of Rocky Hill, Coun. They had two children: Louisa R. and William R.

The death of Mr. Goodspeed occurred on the ist of January 1882, and the management of his large and ex- tensive business interests devolved on his son, William R., who has proved himself equal to the important trusts and great responsibility connected therewith. He married, on the 12th of October 1875, Hattie B Smith, of Waterbury, Conn., by whom he had two children: Louisa B. and William H. His first wife died on the 24th of June 1879, and on the 25th of May 1881, he

married Phoebe E. Smith, of New London. By her he has had one child, Phoebe E., born May 20th 1882.

GEORGE E. GOODSPEED.

George E. Goodspeed, oldest son of Joseph Good- speed and Laura Tyler, was born in the town of East Haddam, February 2d 1813. He acquired a fair educa- tion in the public schools of his native village, with a few months' tuition at a private school of a Mr. Clark. He entered his father's store as clerk when but 16 years of age, and soon acquired a knowledge of the business that made him a valuable assistant to his father. On his becom - ing of age he was made a member of the firm. He or- ganized the Bank of New England and was the first president and main support up to the day of his death. Of a naturally quiet and peaceable disposition, he shrunk from litigation and whenever it became necessary to liti- gate any of the interests with which he was connected he turned the matter over to his brother William.

He had no taste or inclination for politics, and invari- ably declined to accept any nomination for office.

He was a member of and liberal contributor to the Episcopal church during his life.

March 25th 1844, he married Nancy Green Hayden, daughter of Horace Hayden, of East Haddam, formerly of Essex, Connecticut, by whom he had four children: Joseph Horace, Georgiana, Carrie Hayden, and George Edward. The third child, Carrie Hayden, died May 29th 1856. The others are all living. The sons reside in Boston, Massachusetts. Joseph Horace is auditor of the Mexican Central Railroad, and George Edward is connected with the Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Com- pany. The death of Mr. Goodspeed occurred Novem- ber 16th 1863. His widow and only remaining daughter live together at the homestead.

HON. DANIEL B. WARNER.

Daniel Warner, the ancestor of the East Haddam branch of Warners, was one of three brothers who came from Scotland and settled in Massachusetts about 1640. Dr. Field mentions one John Warner, from Sunderland, as among the first settlers of the town of Haddam.

Daniel, the father of Hon. Daniel B.Warner, was born at the Warner homestead, on the main road running north and south through the town about one and a quarter miles from the Landing. He followed the occu- pation of a farmer, and was at the same time engaged in the lumber business. He married Nancy, daughter of John Brainerd Esq. Eight children were born to them: Phobe Ann, Daniel B., Elijah C., Betsey R., Floretta, Jeannette, Catharine, and John C., five of whom are still living.

Daniel B., the second child, was born at East Had- dam, March 24th 1807. He was educated at the public school, with a few month's tuition at a private school kept by Rev. Peter G. Clark. He was for three years clerk in a store, after which he engaged in the ship lum- ber business. East Haddam was at that time one of the principal places for ship building on the Connecticut

328

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

River, and he did a large and prosperous business. In

April 1828, he commenced dealing in ship timber and plank, also pine lumber. Some ten years after this he commenced building vessels, which he continued for about 20 years, and some of the largest vessels built on the river were built at his yard. One ship, the Chauncey Jerome jr., built in 1851, registered 2,000 tons.

He was elected to the Legislature in 1849 and 1850, and again in 1880. He was elected to the Senate in 1852 and 1853. During the latter year, Hon. Thomas H. Sey- mour, who was then governor, received the appointment of minister to Russia; the unexpired term being filled by Lieutenant-Governor Pond, and Mr. Warner was elected president pro tem. of the Senate. Hon. William D. Ship man, now one of the most eminent jurists in the country, represented at that time the town of East Haddam in the Legislature.

During his life Mr. Warner has served his native town and county in various capacities. He was for three years county commissioner, and was postmaster for a number of years. He was a director in the East Haddam Bank, and when in 1865 that institution became embarrassed, after the death of the cashier, who was killed on the steamboat dock, Mr. Warner was appointed president, and wound up its affairs in a manner exceedingly gratify- ing to the directors, paying the depositors in full, the losses being borne by the stockholders.

During his early life he took an active interest in mil- itary affairs, and was at one time brigade major on the staff of General Oliver Warner.

On the 17th of April 1835, he married Mary Ann, daughter of Oliver Green, of East Haddam. Her grand- father, James Green, manufactured muskets for the gov- ernment at this place during the war of the Revolution and was the friend and cotemporary of General Epaphro- ditus Champion.

The issue of this marriage was five children: Charles B., born July 28th 1839; Mary G., born August 7th 1842; Sydney B., born December 5th 1848; Georgiana L., born April 3d 1852; and Nettie L., born September 22d 1854.

Charles B., the eldest son, was for a time engaged as a clerk in New York city, and subsequently went to China, where he became connected with the house of Bradley & Co. He remained there for seven years, and on his re- turn to East Haddam, joined his father in the lumber business, the copartnership of father and son continuing down to the present time.

EMORY JOHNSON.

"An honest man 's the noblest work of God."-Shakespeare.

There are certain brands of goods in every class of trade that have an established reputation, on which not only the name, but the character, of the individual is stamped.

Many business men adopt as their motto, " Honesty is the best policy," and such persons are governed by no higher motive, being satisfied with the approval of their fellow men; but the man who puts his goods upon the market, resolved that every pound shall contain 16

ounces of pure material, and every yard shall contain 36 inches, honest measurement, looks for the reward of an approving conscience, rather than the good opinion of his fellow men.

Emory Johnson, the subject of this sketch, belongs to the latter class. Influenced solely by a determination to produce nothing but what will bear the closest scrutiny of a discriminating public, and conscious of the fact that the "All-seeing eye " of the Great Architect of the Uni- verse is always upon him, discovering the "thoughts and intents of his heart," he has not only established a repu- tation for honest productions, but in all his dealings with his fellow men he has kept in view the golden rule. It is to this, and not to any great gifts of nature, that he owes his success in life. Born and bred an humble tiller of the soil, he learned his first lessons of life while sur- rounded by good and holy influences, assisted by the teachings of nature and nature's God.

Jared Johnson, the father of Emory, was born in the town of Chatham. He married Sally, daughter of Joseph Ransom, of that town, by whom he had five children, viz., Emory, Sally, John B., Joseph F., and Mary.

Emory, the eldest, was born August 11th 1817, near the society of East Hampton, in the town of Chatham. He was sent to the public school at that place until he was sixteen years of age, working a portion of the time on his father's farm. About 1833, he removed to the town of East Haddam, near the present location of Johnsonville, where he worked at the trade of wagon- making until he was twenty-two years of age. He sub- sequently engaged himself to the firm of Card & Hig- gins, manufacturers of cotton seine twine, knitting cot- ton, and other cotton goods of a similar character. By strict economy and industry he managed to save up a few hundred dollars, and in 1842 he formed a copartner- ship with Stanton S. Card (his father-in-law), Elijah . Spencer, Roswell Davidson, and Jonathan O. Cone. This continued for several years, the firm doing a pros- perous business. In 1861, Mr. Johnson disposed of his interest in the lower mill, and purchased a new mill privilege that had not hitherto been taken up. On this he erected a new factory, which has since continued in successful operation. Not long after the death of Mr. Card he acquired possession of the lower mill, which he reconstructed, putting in new machinery and fitting it up with every modern improvement. In all his operations Mr. Johnson has been uniformly successful. The de- mand for his goods has been such that when other mills have been lying idle he has been able to continue run- ning most of the time through the dull season.

The extensive manufacturing facilities and great public improvements in and around Johnsonville indicate the enterprise, the activity, and the energy of the man who for sixty years has labored for their growth and develop- ment, and these will remain as an enduring monument to his name long after he has passed away.

The turmoil and excitement of a political life never had any attraction for Mr. Johnson, but in 1861, at the solicitation of his fellow citizens, he permitted his name

mal inte poprial. and Bety yard shall contaio Steige artes, " new age rem ut, looks for the reward of metin verscher the beyan approving rouserem. riflet than the good opinion of Re printed for his fellow men

Emily Johnson, in subject of this sketch belongs to InAgenceo solely by a determination to [produce notlong for' hu w ilbear the closest scrutiny of a discriminating public, and conscious of the fact that Mil seeing eye " of the Great Architect of the Uni- Thomas H mi ways pan Kin, discovering the " thoughts and & Bd appointment entones of ho bart,"he has not only established a repu- we Trong do a ay mon for his -. poductions, bn in all his dealings with Mar lierelos mer is las Kent in view the golden rule. It sand orf ry grams of nature, that le we hu ger - m lor. Hor ul Died an homble tiller ry - animal mid tower had The day the of aje al be son his Or osams of life while sur- mit Fag gy good and holy fluences assisted by the

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,wo loth August rith 1817, near yes! I inprom me the town of Chatham. por it that place. until he writing a portion of the time Al Hogy he removed to the Bom, as the present location of en r + at the trade of wagon- green wo years of age. He sub- volgt malic the firm of Card & Hig- mandagentre -der ne trine, knitting cot- rtpobegla mber can J, eller character, By

Wtauronwlm in he formel icopartner- method : God ofthe www), Elijah .4 1 -5 9. Cone. .am doing a pros- disposed of his pp Ge bers schlauchised a new miil coolest poco sso -wood freie taken up. On this 6.1-6. 12009, Anichilias since continued in acordo Notileg after the death of Mr. Major & possession of the lower mill, which he YA sorted, pouting in wer machinery and filting it up ry modern kopravecino

In all das operations Johnson has been uniformly she said. The de- mos fer nis g uds has been such that when other mills to one thing idle he has been able to continue run- out the tour through the dull season. posive manufacturing foilies and great public martin all around Johnsonville indicate the '' acuivity, and the er-spy 0 0 man who Las labored For our gold develop- AD rem ('n = = = moment to

ILmi -x-hem =. . . fe never for Vr Jobu-m, Ita 1861, at the

market, resolved that every pound shall contain 16 |solicitation of his fellow citizens, he permitted his name

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History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 84

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 818

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 818