History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 59

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1317

USA > Connecticut > New London County > History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 59

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

Upon the organization of the New London County Historical Society, Hon. L. S. Foster was chosen president, and Col. Loomis one of the vice-presidents. which position he has since held.

Col. Loomis is a public-spirited citizen of a genial and social nature, and very popular with the masses.

William Williams Billings .- There is no prouder

or more enduring personal record than the story of a self-reliant, manly, and successful career. It declares that the individual has not only understood his duty and mission, but fulfilled them. The following biog- raphy is highly suggestive of these facts.

William Williams Billings, the honored subject of this sketch, was born in Stonington, Conn., in the year 1802. He attended school at Norwich and New London, to which last-named city his father, the late Hon. Coddington Billings, removed. Having de- cided upon a collegiate course, he was prepared under the tuition of the late Prof. Denison Olmstead, and in 1817 entered Yale College, where he graduated with honor in the class of 1821, of which class of twenty-one not more than eight survive.

After leaving college Mr. Billings at once entered a counting-house, where his business education was begun. He manifested a decided interest in com- mercial pursuits, and in 1823 and 1824, then only twenty-one years of age, he made voyages to Portugal and France to enlarge his business knowledge and mercantile experience. In about the year 1823, Mr. Billings formed a copartnership with his brother, the late Hon. Noyes Billings, under the firm-name of N. & W. W. Billings, for carrying on the whaling busi- ness. Here his indomitable will, business energy, and executive ability were clearly demonstrated. The business rapidly increased, and this enterprising firm soon became extensively and favorably known over all oceans, and was eminently successful in the owner- ship and agency of whaling ships. The firm con- tinued until the business universally declined, when its affairs were closed and Mr. Billings retired from active business in the possession of a handsome com- petency.

Since his retirement he has, with an occasional trip to Europe, lived among the people with whom his active business life had been immediately associated, always interested in their success and gladly contrib- uting to their comfort and enjoyment. Mr. Billings is a liberal contributor to all worthy objects, both public and private, being always directed by a thoughtful and positive judgment. In 1828 he united in marriage with Miss Louisa Trott, of a family well known in New London. He is a member of St. James' Episcopal Church parish, and his contribu- tions to its maintenance have been munificent.

Although now at the advanced age of nearly eighty years, after a life of unusual activity, Mr. Billings re- tains in a remarkable degree the vigor and elasticity of youth, and vividly relates scenes and incidents of "ye olden time."

Mr. Billings is not a politician, but he is always an earnest supporter of the principles of a free republican government.

Martin Kellogg Cady .- A record of the men con- spicuous in New London affairs during the period be- tween the years 1833 and 1876 would be sadly incom- plete with the name of Martin K. Cady omitted. A

240

HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

leading merchant for more than forty years, upright and honorable, and beloved by all, well and justly deserves a tribute from the pen of the chronicler of passing events in New London County.

Mr. Cady was born in Bolton, Conn., June 29, 1813. He subsequently removed with his parents to Salem, later to Guilford, and in 1828 located in this city, and in the same year entered the employ of Charles Bolles as clerk. He remained with Mr. Bolles one year, when he was offered a clerkship by P. C. & I. Turner, which he accepted, and three years later-Jan. 1, 1833-commenced business with a Mr. Brewster, under the firm-name of Brewster & Cady, which con- tinued one year. He then went into the mercantile business for himself. He was always kind to the young man who was struggling for a beginning, and numbers of the leading men of to-day of New Lon- don received their business training in the store of Martin K. Cady. He was kind and considerate with his employés, many of whom were unusually long in his service, frequently becoming independent in their circumstances. Honesty and a strict attention to busi- ness, coupled with an indomitable will, rendered his life a success. He retired from active business life in January, 1876, and was in the enjoyment of his otium eum dignitate when death laid his hand upon the strong man, and he died Jan. 3, 1881, passing away peacefully,-

" Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch

Abont him and lies down to pleasant dreams."

Aug. 5, 1841, Mr. Cady united in marriage with Miss Sarah Way, a native of New London, and their children are as follows: Harriett Allen, wife of Capt. R. P. H. Durkee, U.S.A., of New York, now a mem- ber of the firm of Palmer & Durkee, attorneys, Chi- cago, Ill .; Martin Kellogg, eldest son, is assistant coiner in the United States mint at San Francisco, and has been for some years. He married Jeannie B., daughter of Hon. Charles Gorham, of Maysville, Cal. Walter Claflin, youngest son, resides with his mother in New London.

Amos Cady, father of Martin K., was born in Ver- non, Conn., May 11, 1780, and his mother, Hannah Kellogg, was born in Amherst, Mass., July 14, 1786.

Martin K. Cady inspired all with whom he came in contact with unbounded confidence in his common sense and uncompromising integrity. He was a thoroughly practical man, possessing a strong will, and when once his plans were formed was diligent and resolute in their speedy and complete execution. He ever manifested a lively interest in all matters tending to advance the welfare of his adopted city. His residence of fifty-three years in New London covered an important part of its history, with which Mr. Cady was closely identified, and no man com- manded more universal respect. He was a consistent churchman, a member of St. James' Church, and for many years a vestryman ; he was also a member of the Young Men's Christian Association.

His name is honored, his memory cherished at home and abroad by a wide circle of acquaintance, and it will be many years before his place in New London is made good.

Josiah Crosby Waldo .- Rev. Josiah Crosby Waldo was born in Chesterfield, N. H., Dec. 5, 1803. His boyhood was passed in his native town, where also he was educated at the Chesterfield Academy. This was a locally celebrated institution, where the greater portion of the graduates from Dartmouth College were prepared. In 1824 he went to Saratoga Springs and taught school one year, when he returned to Chesterfield and placed himself under the training of the Rev. Hosea Ballou for the ministry. He soon after supplied various pulpits of the Universalist Church in and about Boston, and in 1828 removed to Cincinnati and became pastor of a young and growing church, since known as the First Universalist Society of Cincinnati. He entered into the work of the min- istry in that city with vigor and persistency, and suc- ceeded in building up one of the most flourishing and powerful Universalist societies in the United States. It is not too much to say that the growth of that body from a small beginning to one of power and influence was due almost entirely to the earnest efforts in its be- half put forth by Mr. Waldo. Notwithstanding his pastoral duties demanded much of his attention, he es- tablished, soon after his settlement, the Sentinel and Star, a Universalist journal, and until 1831 was its managing editor. He wielded a graceful and trenchant pen, and under his able editorial management the paper secured a wide circulation and took prominent rank among the provincial press. In 1832 he resigned his pastorate and withdrew from the management of the Sentinel and Star and returned to Boston. He subsequently officiated in the pastoral office in Lynn, Mass., which after a very successful labor of six years he resigned and located at Arlington, Mass., as pastor of the church at that place, where he remained eight years. He then removed to Troy, N. Y., where he preached until 1854, when, in consequence of the fail- ing health of his wife, he gave up his pastorate and removed to New London, where he has since resided. Upon his removal to this city he supplied the pulpit of the Universalist Church for twelve years; he then retired, and is now enjoying his otium cum dignitate at his beautiful villa in East New London.

In 1831 he united in marriage with Elmira Ruth Ballou, daughter of Rev. Hosea Ballou, who died in June, 1856. In 1865 Mr. Waldo married Caroline Mark, widow of David Mark, of Pekin, Ill., and daughter of Winslow Wright, of Boston, a noted merchant. Mr. Waldo has three children living,- George Curtiss Waldo, editor of the Bridgeport Daily Standard, Clementina Grace, and Maturin Ballou. Politically Mr. Waldo has been a Republican since the second election of Lincoln. Previous to that time he was a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson.

Ingeny AHRY hic

Miner

241

NEW LONDON.

Charles D. Boss was born in Newport, R. I., March 27, 1812. He was educated at the common schools, and at the age of ten years began work as an appren- tice at the baking business in Newport, and remained there until he was nineteen years of age. In 1831 he came to New London and entered the employ of Wil- liam Gray, proprietor of the pioneer cracker manu- factory in this city, which occupied the site of the present establishment of C. D. Boss & Son. He, however, remained with Mr. Gray but one year, and then, in company with his brother, Philip M., com- menced the manufacture of crackers on Potter Street. Soon after they purchased Mr. Gray's establishment, and about one year later the partnership was dis- solved, Mr. C. D. Boss becoming sole proprietor, and continuing as such until 1863, when his son, C. D. Boss, Jr., became associated with him, and the busi- ness has since been conducted under the firm-name of C. D. Boss & Son. From a small beginning this establishment has kept abreast with the rapid strides in mechanics' arts during the last twenty years, and to-day is one of the largest institutions of the kind in this country. The annual product amounts to about two hundred thousand dollars, and the estab- lishment has a daily capacity for using one hundred barrels of flour. One hundred and thirty kinds of crackers are manufactured. This establishment is a monument to the business ability, honesty, and in- tegrity of the subject of this sketch, who for a period of nearly forty years was its active manager and busi- ness head. Mr. Boss is a member of the Second Congregational Church. Politically he was formerly a Whig, later a Republican, and is now a Prohibi- tionist. The temperance cause finds in Mr. Boss an able and uncompromising champion. He is one of New London's most honored citizens, and has done much to advance the material, moral, and religious .

interests of his adopted city.

May 18, 1835, he united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Mason, and their family consists of two sons and one daughter, viz .: Thomas, pastor of the Congregational Church at Springfield, Vt .; Charles D., Jr., who is associated with his father in business ; and Eliza Edith, wife of Robert R. Congdon, who is also associated with Mr. Boss in business.

Israel F. Brown was born in Salem, Conn., Dec. 31, 1810. Soon after his parents removed to Norwich, where he remained until sixteen years of age. He then went to Macon, Ga., and commenced work in a machine-shop at wood-turning. Three years later Mr. Brown removed to Clinton, Ga., and commenced the manufacture of cotton-gins with Samuel Griswold. He subsequently, in company with Mr. Daniel Pratt, located at McNeil's Mills, near the Alabama River, where he remained about two years and returned to Macon, and soon after (1843) removed to Girard, Ala., and in company with E. T. Taylor established a cotton- gin manufactory under the firm-name of E. T. Taylor & Co. Two years later he removed to Columbus, Ga.,

where he erected a large factory, and remained until the year 1858, when he came to New London.

The war paralyzed the business in the Southern States. Mr. Brown, however, continued to mannfac- ture largely for the Brazilian market. Soon after the war manufacturing for the Southern market was re- sumed, and in 1869 Mr. Brown organized the Brown Cotton-Gin Company, and has been its president since its organization. Mr. Edward T. Brown was its first secretary and treasurer, and has officiated in that capacity to the present time. In addition to the large buildings now occupied in the manufacture of gins, the company is now erecting an immense structure on Pequot Avenue, just below Fort Trumbull. This will be one of the largest cotton-gin manufactories in the United States. Mr. Brown is a thoroughly practical man, and is the owner of thirty valuable patents of his own invention.

In 1837 he united in marriage with Miss Ann Smith, of Macon, Ga., who died in 1864. Their family con- sisted of the following, all of whom were born in Georgia : Edward T., Sarah A., wife of George Col- fax, Esq., and George C. The latter is a prominent resident of Macon, Ga.

Mr. Brown was married a second time to Emma Conant, May, 1866, a niece of the late William Albertson.

Israel F. Brown's life has been one of steady and active devotion to business, and his success has been the natural result of his ability to examine and readily comprehend any subject presented to him, power to decide promptly, and courage to act with vigor and persistency in accordance with his convictions. He has gained nothing by mere luck, but everything by perseverance and well-digested plans, and the intelli- gent application of his energies to the end in view. In social life he is gentlemanly and affable, is a prom- inent member of the Universalist Church, and is one of New London's most enterprising and honored citi- zens. Democratic in politics.

Sidney Miner, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of New London, was born in this city in the year 1805, and is descended in direct line from Henry Miner, who was born in England in 1339. He traces his lineage through this long line without losing a name or date. He dates his ancestry in this country to Thomas Miner, who emigrated from Eng- land with Governor John Winthrop in the ship " Arabella." He first was one of the colony that located at Saybrook, but in 1643 came with Winthrop to Pequot, now New London, where he built a house and remained until 1654, when he removed to Ston- ington, and died there in 1690. His son Manassah was the first male child born in New London. Thomas Miner died, leaving a large landed estate, and the homestead still remains in the possession of his descendants. From him, in the sixth generation, descended Frederick, the father of the subject of our sketch, who was born in Stonington in 1768. He re-

242

HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

moved to New London in about 1795, and engaged in the mercantile business. He died in 1849, aged eighty-one years. He was a useful and reliable citi- zen, and held many important offices. He had four children, viz. : Hannah, married Rev. Charles Thomp- son, and subsequently Rev. Joel Lindsley, D.D .; Frederick, engaged in the whaling and sealing busi- ness, and died in New York in 1827; William Wood was a prominent physician in New London many years, and died in 1875.

Sidney, the third son, after acquiring a good com- mon-school education, learned the trade of a carpen- ter and joiner. Soon after, however, he entered a dry-goods store as clerk, but that business being dis- tasteful to him, he returned to his trade. A short time after he entered the employ of Joseph Lawrence as clerk, where he remained a number of years, and finally became associated with him in business. Upon the death of Mr. Lawrence a new firm was formed, consisting of his sons and Mr. Miner, in the whaling and sealing business, which continued until 1855, when Mr. Miner withdrew, and since that time has lived a retired life.

In 1834 he united in marriage with Mary A. Rams- dell, of Mansfield, Conn., and their family consisted of three children. His wife died in 1843, and in 1844 he married Lydia, daughter of Col. William Belcher, of Granby, formerly of this city.

Politically Mr. Miner is a Democrat of the Jeffer- sonian school, and has never swerved or deviated from the underlying principles of that honored or- ganization. He has held various official positions within the gift of his fellow-townsmen, and has dis- charged his duties with eminent ability. He was first alderman for about eight years, assessor, board of relief, was on the school committee, and was finan- cial treasurer until he resigned some years ago, since which time he has refused all public office. He is also a director in the Whaling Bank, and has been for many years.

Mr. Miner also manifests a decided interest in religious matters, and for a long time has been a member of the Society of the First Church of Christ, Congregational, in this city, and was very active in the erection of the fine church edifice which was completed in 1852. Mr. Miner's life has been one of great activity and usefulness, and although past the scriptural age of threescore years and ten, he still retains in a remarkable degree the vigor and elasticity of youth.

David P. Francis, M.D .- Dr. Francis is emphat- ically a New England outgrowth, and presents a notable example of the pluck and enterprise that have stamped their impress on the literature, politics, and thought of the land; that have made themselves felt and honored in every profession and calling, and become a power in national affairs.

Born Jan. 22, 1823, at Griswold, New London Co., | Conn., he quickly discovered that his fortune must be

the work of his own hands, and that if he desired to reach upwards he must depend on his personal en- deavor. His father, John Francis, though a leading man in his section, holding many positions of trust, including the probate judgeship, was too heavily bur- dened by the needs of a large family to help him be- yond the advantages that a common-school education affords. The family was of French extraction, and young Francis had inherited the hopefulness of this race, mingled with enough of the Puritan element to make his determination firm and unyielding. He elected to follow the profession of medicine, and to accumulate the means that would enable him to study this began teaching school at the age of sixteen. His first professional studies were carried on in the office of Dr. Phinney, of Jewett City, and having there obtained a helpful insight into the mysteries of medicine, he entered the Berkshire Medical College, at Pittsfield, Mass., in 1842, graduating in 1845. He was forced to teach during vacations to obtain the means to carry on his college course, and after grad- uating settled in New London, his sole capital being the few books he had been able to purchase, his pro- fessional knowledge, and the sum of fifty cents.

A thorough student, feeling that to keep abreast of his profession he must have a catholicity of thought that would allow him to examine and use all benefi- cial discoveries, Dr. Francis soon showed that skill and energy which are the keynotes of success, and became a leading member of the medical fraternity. He married, June 17, 1852, Miss Nancy W. Pinkham, daughter of Capt. Nathaniel Pinkham, of Booth- bay, Me., and after her death, in September, 1855, determined to visit Europe, and there obtain a broader knowledge of the calling he had chosen. He studied both in London and Paris, frequenting the hospitals, and attending in London the lectures of Profs. Fergusson, Erichsen, and Bowman, and in Paris those of Profs. Nelaton and Velpeau.

Returning with increased knowledge and skill, his care and thoroughness were soon widely acknowl- edged, and were rewarded by a practice that plainly demonstrated his usefulness. Generous in the matter of his services, prompt to answer the call of those from whom no reward could come as well as that of the wealthiest man in the section, keeping thoroughly informed regarding all matters pertaining to his pro- fession, and calling to his aid its most advanced thought, his career has been an eminently successful one, and he has demonstrated what determination and study can do, and fills an honored and represen- tative position.

November, 1864, Dr. Francis married his second wife, Miss Carrie C. Hull, of New York City. He is still hale and energetic, an earnest student, a careful practitioner, a steadfast friend, one who feels for the sufferings of his fellows, and stands ready to alleviate them to the full extent of his powers. His early re- ligious training has made Dr. Francis cling to the

D. C. Francis M. D.

MAH.Comstock

243

NEW LONDON.

Congregational Church, though his mind is far too broad to be warped or narrowed by the ruling of any creed. In politics he is Democratic, of that honest and stable Jacksonian type which holds the nation to be the paramount good of the people. As his lib- eral thought has made him abjure the sway of creeds, so has it kept him from being bound by such medical laws as to him seemed stultifying and void of help, and he makes use of all truths and scientific discov- eries bearing on his profession, his practice being broad in its use of theories and ideas, and fully in accord with the advance and learning of his century.

W. H. H. Comstock .- The Comstocks are a proud old family, reaching away back through a registered pedigree in the "Muniment Office" at Frankfort-on- the-Main, Germany, nine generations previous to 1547, at which time Charles Von Komstohk, a baron of the German Empire, was imperiled in the "Von Benedict treason" and fled into England with other noblemen of Silesia and Austria. Their arms are or, two bears rampant, sable-muzzled gules in chief; in base a sword issuing from a crescent, point downward, all red. Upon the arms a baronial helmet of Germany, mantled or, and gules, surmounted by a baron's coronet, jew- eled proper ; issuing therefrom an elephant rampant, also proper. The bears imply courage, the sword shows that the family had fought against the Turks, the elephant shows personal prowess and sagacity in those bearing the name when the coat of arms was granted. Peter Comstock, late of Lyme, father of W. H. H. Comstock, gives this account of his imme- diate ancestry : "My father, Capt. Peter Comstock, of Montville, Conn., was born in the year 1732, and died in April, 1802. From him I learned something of the history of his ancestors. He said that there came from England four brothers of that name to New London, Conn., from 1635 to 1640; one of them, by the name of John, had a grant of land on the west side of the river Thames, five miles above New London, extending two miles westerly from said river, on which he settled ; one settled in Rhode Island, one in Fair- field County, Conn., and one on the Connecticut River, near the line of East Haddam and Lyme. John left two sons,-John and Samuel. John2 and descendants possessed the old grant, and have continued in posses- sion of almost the entire tract ever since. Samuel's de- scendants lived in the north part of Montville. One of his grandsons was Nathaniel, who was an elder in the church in New London (North Parish). He had three sons, who settled in Montville, on the estate of their father. Their names were Nathaniel, Jared, and Zeb- ulon. Nathaniel left one son, Peres, who settled in Hartford. Jared left five sons. Samuel and Jared settled in the State of New York. David and Joseph inherited the land of their father. John2, who settled on the old grant, left five sons,-James, John3, Benja- min, Peter, and Daniel. James was killed at Fort Griswold, at the storming of that fort by the British, at about eighty years of age, consequently he must

have been born about the year 1700. He left three sons,-William, James, and Jason. William settled at Cooper's Pattern, State of New York. The other two sons settled at Montville. John3 married Polly Lee, of Lyme, by whom he had two sons, John4 and Nathaniel. John+ was a lieutenant in the colonial army, and was killed at the orchard fight on Long Island. He left three sons,-Oliver, who settled on the homestead in Montville, represented said town in Legislature several times, was many years a justice of the peace and church deacon ; Joshua, settled in the State of New York; Elkanah, went as a missionary to Michigan soon after the war of 1812 and settled in Pontiac. Nathan, brother of John4, died young, leaving two sons,-Nathan and Asa. Nathan inher- ited the estate of his grandfather, Jolın. Benjamin left two sons,-Benjamin and Daniel. Daniel's two sons, Elisha and Daniel, settled in Montville. Elisha had four sons,-Ebenezer, Alpheus, Jeremiah, Peri- grene, all of whom were drowned. Peter followed the sea, became master, and died when about thirty years of age. He left four sons,-Peter2, Ransford, Daniel, and Thomas. Peter2 inherited the home- stead, was captain in Latimer's regiment in the Con- tinental army, and was stationed at Fort Trumbull when New London was burned. By his first wife, Betsy Fitch, he had two sons, George and Fitch, who settled in Independence, Ohio. He again married, this time a Sarah Mirick. They had four sons,-Peter3, Jonathan, Elisha Mirick, and Jere- miah. Ransford removed to New York State, and had four sons,-Charles, Jesse, Ransford, and Guy. Daniel settled in Shelburne, Vt., and had two sons,- Zechariah and Elisha. Thomas also went to Vermont, and was killed at the battle of Bennington, and left one son, Thomas. Peter3 and Elisha M. settled in Lyme; Jonathan and Jeremiah in Waterford. Peter3 (born in Montville), after moving to Lyme, married Sally, daughter of Hon. Moses Warren, of Lyme, be- came a merchant and a prominent man in the town, was judge of probate, held other local offices of trust, represented Montville in Legislature, and the Ninth Senatorial District in the same body. He died Oct. 29, 1862, aged eighty-three. He left four sons,- Moses Warren, Peter A., William H. H., and John J. William H. H. Comstock was born in Lyme, Conn., March 20, 1819. He was educated in the public and private schools of Lyme, and in early life worked on the farm and "clerked" in his father's store, and also was a clerk in New London. Before he was of age he engaged in trade in East Lyme as a merchant in company with his father, under firm- title of William H. H. Comstock & Co. This firm continued until 1840, when Mr. Comstock removed to New London and engaged in the grocery business, corner State and Main Streets, with Mr. Congdon, as Congdon & Comstock. Selling his interest in this in the fall of 1841, he went to East Lyme and en- gaged in general merchandise, continuing there as a

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

History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 59

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1317

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1317