History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 89

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 89

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Mr. Durfey was twice married,-in 1829, to Miss Adelia E. Avery, who died Jan. 28, 1835; to Miss Harmony Kingsley, who survives him. He died April 24, 1875, and was buried from the Congrega- tional church on the following Tuesday. A large concourse of citizens from all classes of society, botlı Protestant and Roman Catholic, bore testimony to the universal respect in which he had been held and the deep regret which was felt in his death.

E. Winslow Williams, one of the leading woolen manufacturers in Eastern Connecticut, was born in Norwich in 1830. He prepared for college at Dr. Muli- lenburg's school at Flushing, and graduated from Trin- ity College in the class of 1853. He soon after became interested in manufacturing, and upon the death of his father, the late Capt. Erastus Williams, succeeded to the interest of the Yantic Woolen-Mills, and has since continued in that business with marked success. These mills were erected in 1822, and destroyed by fire in 1865. The present stone mills were erected the same year.

In 1858, Mr. Williams united in marriage withi Miss McNulty, of New York, and their family consists of four children, two sons and two daughters, viz. : Louis Brinckerhoff, Winslow Tracy, Jessie Huntington, and Lilian Marvin. Politically he is a Republican. He is a churehman, and a liberal supporter of Grace Church (Episcopal), at Yantic, where he resides. Notwithstanding Mr. Williams is the proprietor and active manager of an immense business, he is ever alive to the public good, and all measures tending to advance the interests of his native town find in him an earnest advocate.

Willis R. Austin .- The Austin family, of which the subject of this sketch is a direct descendant, is one of the oldest families in the State. The name appears among those of the earlier settlers of New Haven, and frequently and prominently in the records of the town since.

David Austin, the grandfather of Willis R. Austin, was a prominent citizen of New Haven, for a long time government collector of customs in that city, and the founder and first president of the New Haven Bank. It was he who, associated with James Hill- house, at his own expense planted the elm-trees which now adorn New Haven green. His son, John P. Austin, in middle life removed to Norwich, where the subject of this sketch was born in the year 1819. He married, in 1851, Louisa, daughter of the late E. B. M. Hughes, of New Haven, well remembered for her personal attractions and true excellence of char- acter, whose death occurred in Philadelphia, where they resided, in 1854, leaving a daughter of two years, who has since died. In 1864 he married his present accomplished wife, Mary McComb, daughter of John McComb, of a well-known and prominent New York family, and granddaughter of John McComb, who was identified with almost all the progressive move- ments of his day.

He was the executive manager in the erection of the New York City Hall and other public buildings, and, as appears from the publications and records of the day, was one of the most active promoters of those public improvements which have been so instrumental in the prosperity of that city, and in all his varied pub- lic trusts his name was a synonym of strict integrity.

One child, a son, named Willis Austin, was born of this union in 1878.

The marked character and enterprise of the Austin family not only stamped itself upou the State of their nativity, but have stretched out to the distant domain of Texas, then a part of Mexico, in the persons of a cousin of the subject of this sketch, Stephen F. Aus- tin, and John Austin, his eldest brother, who estab- lished a colony, and after whom was named the city of Austin.

Mr. Austin was educated for the bar, graduating at the Yale College Law-School in the year 1849.

Shortly after graduating he visited Texas, and it was his intention to have located there in the practice of the law, but after some successful operations in cotton, concluded to return North, and locating in Philadelphia, engaged in the banking business. In this he was also successful, and having gathered in a few years a fair amount of this world's goods, he de- termined to retire from business and take relaxation in travel. He first traveled extensively in this coun- try, visiting all the most interesting sections of the West and South, including his former abode in Texas. He then went abroad and traveled over Europe and Asia, spending three years in his tour. Upon return- ing to the United States he fixed upon Connecticut, the State of his ancestors, and Norwich, his native city, as his future home, and here he has since re- sided, preferring the enjoyment of social private life to the harassing cares of business.

Mr. Austin has never sought political preferment. Personally popular, however, he has often been urged

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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

to accept of office, but steadily refused until, at the urgent solicitation of his fellow-citizens of Norwich, he consented to be one of their representatives in the General Assembly of 1874.

In 1875 he was re-elected a representative in the General Assembly, and in 1876-the centennial year of our national independence-he was elected senator from the Eighth District of the State.

Mr. Austin's service in the Legislature was charac- terized by the most constant and faithful attendance and attention to his duties. His quiet and unobtru- sive dignity of manner and bearing gained for him the respect and confidence of all to whom he became known. During the sessions of which he was a mem- ber he served upon the Committees of Finance, of Rail- road, and of Constitutional Amendments. During his various terms of service in the Legislature of the State he took a prominent and active part in all important measures both in the House and Senate, and, as the public records and journals of the day fully indicate, the results obtained in favor or against the laws and measures before the Assembly were greatly influenced by his careful and conscientious attention. After Mr. Austin's term of service in the Senate lie determined not to pursue a further political life. Nevertheless, he was induced to serve as a mem- ber of the Republican State Central Committee for five years, and during the years 1877-80 he was presi- dent of the New London County Agricultural Society. These four years . the society experienced marked prosperity. The grounds were enlarged, new build- ings erected, premiums and expenses all paid, and a considerable sum of profit remained each year. He is at present chairman of the Connecticut State Board of Charities, and in Norwich (his own city) he has been for many years an active member of the board of directors of the Second National Bank, also a trustee and vice-president of the Dime Savings- Bank from its beginning. Though not impelled to the pursuit of business as a means of support, Mr. Austin is a confirmed believer in the maxim that occupation and usefulness are requirements for the health and happiness of mankind ; hence he selected his home with ample grounds that he might see the growth of various objects of ornament and necessity. He always holds himself ready to discharge all the duties of friend and citizen. The various offices to which he has been appointed or elected to fill occupy a very large portion of his time and attention, yet he enters upon these duties with the same zeal, and dis- charges them with the same fidelity, as though they were productive of emolument.

Mr. Austin, though himself a native of Norwich, is a descendant of a long line of New Haven ances- try. The founder of the Austin family in America was John Austin ; he came from England in the ship "Hercules," with his wife, Constance, from Sandwich, County Kent. He died in Greenwich, Conn., Sept. 5, 1657.

His son, John Austin, was born in Greenwich, re- moved to East Haven, and married Mercy Atwater, 13th of May, 1667, and died in 1690.

His son, David Austin, was born in New Haven, Feb. 23, 1670.

David (2), his son, was born in New Haven, Oct. 25, 1703.

His son, David Austin (3), was born in New Ha- ven, May 6, 1732; died Feb. 5, 1801.

This David Austin, the grandfather of Willis Aus- tin, was collector of enstoms when New Haven was the chief port of entry in this section of country ; also the founder and first president of the New Haven Bank. He had thirteen children, and at his death left a large estate to his surviving children. He lived on the southwest corner of Church and Crown Streets, and built two large houses on the opposite corners for his two sons, David and John P. Austin. His eldest son, Rev. David Austin, then settled over the First Pres- byterian Church of Elizabethtown, N. J., was execu- tor of his father's estate. But in the midst of a dis- tinguished career he was stricken by scarlet fever, from which, though physically restored, his mind re- mained dimmed for the greater portion of his suc- ceeding years.

Unfortunately for the estate, he expended large sums of money in building "Long Wharf" and erecting a block of houses for the return of the Jews; also purchased a vessel, and sailing himself as super- cargo to England, there loaded the vessel with costly articles, mostly musical instruments. On the return voyage the vessel was lost without insurance.

It is related of him when a theological student, while taking a walk early in the morning, during the siege of New Haven, he encountered a British soldier, who ordered Austin to surrender. Young Austin seized the musket from the guard and marched him a prisoner of war into New Haven.

In the annals of New Haven it is recorded that young David Austin and his two uncles, John and David, were wounded in the battle for the defense of New Haven against the British, July 5, 1779.

Rev. David Austin having married Miss Lydia Lathrop, an estimable lady, of one of the most wealthy and respectable families of Norwich, and his sister Sarah having married Rev. Walter King, also of Norwich, he concluded to remain in that city, and accepted the pastorate of the Bozrah Church.

His sister, Sarah Austin, married Rev. Walter King, for some time pastor of the Second Congrega- tional Church, Norwich. His sister Rebecca mar- ried John Sherman, son of Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. His sister Mary married Andrew Yates, of Schenectady, a professor in Union College, and brother of Governor Yates, of New York.

John P. Austin, the father of Willis R. Austin, was born in New Haven, June 28, 1772; died June 24, 1834, in Brazoria, Texas. His remains were re-

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moved and placed in the family .cemetery, New Haven. He was a graduate of Yale College, a man of culture and refinement. He succeeded his father as government collector of customs, and lived on the corner of Church and Crown Streets, opposite his father and brother.

Being embarrassed by the loss of much of his estate through the misfortunes of his elder brother, who was executor of his father's estate, was induced by his brother to remove to Norwich with his wife and ten children. Three others were born to him in Nor- wich, of which Willis Rogers Austin was the second.

The remaining years of his life were spent in retire- ment, in teaching and rearing his children, until he visited Texas, where he died in the year 1834.

Willis R. Austin's mother was Susan Rogers, daugh- ter of Dr. David Rogers, of Greenfield, Conn., born 15th September, 1778, married 11th September, 1797. She was the mother of thirteen children, all of whom grew to years and were married. She died Aug. 24, 1870, in the ninety-second year of her age. She was interred by the side of her husband in New Haven.

Her grandfather, Dr. Uriah Rogers, died in Nor- wich, May 6, 1773. Her father, Dr. David Rogers, died in Norwich in 1831, aged seventy-nine years. He was a physician and surgeon in the regiment of Continentals commanded by Gen. Silliman, of Con- necticut.

He was an eminent and successful physician, and retired to spend the last years of his life with his daughter, Mrs. Austin ; and from the old doctor's lips Willis R. Austin, when a child, had the history of his dangers and escapes during the contests of the brave and determined Connecticut troops while de- fending the towns on the Connecticut shore near New York.

This brave old patriot and accomplished physician was buried in the old Up-town Norwich Cemetery.

Willis R. Austin is the twelfth of a family of thirteen children. His eldest brother, John, was associated with S. F. Austin (a relative) in effecting the settle- ment of Austin's colony on the Brazos, in Texas. Dur- ing the early period of the settlement of the colony John Austin embarked in navigation, sailing between New Orleans and Texas in vessels in which he was interested. He was twice taken by pirates; the last time he only escaped by swimming.

His cousin and associate, S. F. Austin, in whose father's name (Moses Austin) the grant of the colony had originally been obtained, having died before the terms of the grant were completed, the entire respon- sibility of the settlement of the colony devolved upon John Austin. He having a superior business education, and great experience for so young a man, was elected governor of the colony and general of the army, and through his wise and efficient service the colony was successfully established, becoming a peaceful and prosperous community. In 1833 he died suddenly of cholera, his two children dying the same day.

Two other brothers, William T. and Alfred J. Austin, went to Texas, and died suddenly of one of the malig- nant epidemics which are inevitable in that country, and especially fatal to settlers from the Eastern States. It was this which deterred Willis R. Austin and others of the family from settling in Texas.

The Austin name is said to have been derived from the sect of Christians who were followers of St. Au- gustine. It is certain the Austins who came to Con- necticut were a devout, Christian people, as is evi- denced by the devices of their antique coat of arms, which they brought from England, and is now in the possession of Willis R. Austin.

In looking back to the history of the Austins, two hundred and fifty years in this country, it is noticed that many of the same characteristics have prevailed among them in every age.

Capt. George W. Geer was born in Norwich, Conn., March 27, 1806. He is the son of Wheeler Geer, who was born Nov. 9, 1773, and grandson of Uzziel Geer, also born in Norwich, Feb. 22, 1732. His father was named Oliver Geer, and was grandson of George Geer, the original ancestor in this country of the present extensive Geer family (see biography of Eras- tus Geer). Uzziel Geer's mother, Elizabeth New- bury, was a lady of culture and education for that day, and taught a number of young men the sciences of surveying and navigation. What education Uzziel received was chiefly under the tutelage of his mother ; he became an excellent mathematician, was of an in- ventive turn of mind, and made quite a number of improvements in machinery, etc. He was the orig- inator of many devices which have since been en- larged upon and have proved of great benefit to the world. He was the patentee of the jackscrew and other inventions which are in use at the present day. His chief occupation in life was the "getting off" or relaunching of castaway vessels, or craft cast ashore by storms, removing buildings, etc., and in originating and perfecting various devices pertaining to that work.

Wheeler Geer, father of Capt. Geer, was an active, industrious man, and most of his life was spent in building vessels and various marine craft, and as commander of small vessels plying in the coast trade. He was married in 1799 to Sally Roath. They had ten children, seven sons and three daughters. Of the seven sons, six of them became masters of sailing- vessels, and when steam-vessels came in vogue five of them became masters of steam-vessels. Of the daugh- ters, one died in infancy. The other two grew up to womanhood, married, and their husbands also became masters of vessels. One of the sons had charge of the steamer " Carolina," which during the " patriot invasion" of Canada went down the Niagara from Buffalo to Claussius, and there the high sheriff (Cana- dian), with a force of armed men, boarded the vessel, and both crew and passengers were compelled to jump overboard to escape with their lives. The sheriff and

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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

his posse afterwards fired the boat, set her adrift, and she went over the falls. During the boyhood of Capt. Geer the facilities for obtaining an education were limited indeed, yet, notwithstanding many difficulties and obstacles, he by diligent study and close applica- tion succeeded in obtaining a very fair education. During his early years he was all the time connected in some capacity with river and coast navigation, and became practically and thoroughly familiar with all the details of the business, so much so that on his eighteenth birthday he became master of a small vessel plying in the coast trade. From this time up to 1841 or 1842 he was in charge either as pilot or master of various packets and sail-vessels. He super- intended the building of and owned an interest in several vessels during this time.

In 1843-44 the steamer "Shetucket" was built under his superintendence, and when the boat was launched, June 1, 1844, he took command of her. When the vessel was first built she was propelled by the "Ericsson wheel." After a six months' trial this wheel proved entirely unsatisfactory, so its use was abandoned, and the "R. F. Loper wheel" substituted; this, too, proved an entire failure. Capt. Geer being impressed with the necessity of a better wheel for the propulsion of steam-vessels, set his inventive faculties to work, and contrived a screw-wheel upon an entirely new principle, which proved an unqualified success, and all the wheels in use throughout the world to- day are constructed in accordance with the principle discovered by Capt. Geer. These wheels, as perfected by lim, were first put on the "Shetucket," in New York, and on her first or trial trip there was a gain of nearly one-third in time, and a corresponding saving in fuel. After this wheel had been in use a short time the attention of other vessel-owners and naviga- tors began to be attracted by its superior merits, and it was but a few months after its first introduction that a committee, composed of the president, agent, one of the directors, and chief engineer, of the Erics- son line of propellers came to New York to negotiate with Capt. Geer for the privilege of making and using his wheel. With his usual magnanimity he refused to accept any remuneration, but generously granted them the privilege of using his patterns in making the wheels to be used on their own boats with- out money and without price. After about three years' trial the president of the Ericsson Company informed Capt. Geer personally that the privilege of using his invention had been "the making of their business," and as a memento of his generosity in allowing them the use of his wheel they made him a handsome present. .

Capt. Geer unfortunately neglected for some time to apply for a patent on his invention, and it appears that the liberality he exercised towards other ship- owners in allowing them the use of his wheel even- tually worked to his disadvantage, as other parties had in the mean time appropriated his idea, and when

he did finally apply for a patent some one set up an objection, or rather counter claim that it was an in- fringement on some part of an invention previously patented by them. Consequently a patent could not be issued until, an investigation was made. Capt. Geer, knowing his invention to be his own, and that it was totally uulike any other wheel, deemed it un- necessary to push matters, and so neglected to press the investigation, and to add to the complication of affairs the attorney in charge of his application died, and all the papers in the case were lost or mislaid. By this time the invention had come into general use and was regarded as common property, but the mat- ter of the patent was thus postponed, neglected, and delayed to the present time. The invention, however, belongs in right to Capt. Geer, and if the matter were taken up and properly presented many think that Capt. Geer would be granted by the government either a patent or other compensation for his inven- tion. It has worked a complete revolution in steam navigation throughout the world, and yet the inven- tor has received no compensation beyond a few dol- lars paid by certain parties to him for the privilege of using his wheel when it was first invented, and when every one naturally supposed it would soon be covered by letters patent.

About 1851 or 1852, Capt. Geer was one of a com- pany1 which purchased the line of steamboats belong- ing to the Norwich and Worcester Railroad Company. He owned an interest in this company about twelve years, and would occasionally devote his attention to the piloting or command of said boats. During this time he was connected with various enterprises and held different positions of trust. He was a member of Common Council three years, and was appointed by the Governor channel commissioner, which posi- tion he held two years. About this time he built the steamer "Charles Osgood," and a few years later sold his interest to Mr. Osgood, for whom she was named. In 1855 he built the tug-boat "George W. Geer," which is still in active use at New York. About 1861 he was appointed inspector, weigher, and gauger of Norwich, which position he still holds. The follow- ing extract we clip from the New London Day :

"Capt. George W. Geer, the inspector of customs at Norwich, in this district, came to this city last Friday in the revenue-boat 'Clarisse,' which has been assigned for his use by the collector. Capt. Geer has held the position for more than twenty years, having been first ap- pointed by Collector Prentis, and continued in office by Collector Mar- shall and the present incumbent. Although considerably over seventy years of age, Capt. Geer is still in vigorous health. He has discharged the duties of his office to the entire acceptance both of the government and the public."

Capt. Geer was married Oct. 22, 1827, to Elizabeth Button (born April 12, 1808), daughter of William Button and Lucy Pollard. To them were born four sons and four daughters. Mrs. Geer died Aug. 12, 1858. He married for his second wife Mrs. William

1 Norwich und New London Transportation Company.

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NORWICH.

G. Parsons, Oct. 22, 1861. She was born March 20, 1813.

Capt. Geer has been for many years a member and liberal supporter of the Congregational Church, and is usually among the first to contribute to any chari- table or public enterprise. He has led a very active life, and has always enjoyed the confidence, respect, and esteem of those who knew him. As an evidence of the esteem in which he is held, he has been the recipient of many handsome presents and testimonials, which afford him much pleasure, and which he de- lights to exhibit as being tangible proofs of the sincerity of the friendship of the donors.

He is kind, affable, and hospitable, and in his old age is surrounded by all that could tend to render happy his declining years.

Backus.1-Little is known of the history of Wil- liam Backus, Sr. He is supposed to have lived in Saybrook as early as 1637. In the settlement of the estate of John Charles, who died at Branford in 1673, the children of William Backus received a share in the right of their deceased mother, who was his daughter. From this fact it is ascertained that the first wife of William Backus was Sarah, daughter of John Charles.

Before removing to Norwich he married Mrs. Anne Bingham, and brought with him to the new settle- ment three daughters, two sons, and his wife's son, Thomas Bingham. The three young men were of mature age, or near maturity, and are all usually reckoned as first proprietors. The daughters were subsequently united in marriage to John Reynolds, Benjamin Crane, and John Bayley. The house-lots of the younger William and of Stephen Backus are both recorded as laid out in 1659 ; but the latter was the allotment of his father, who dying at an early period after the settlement, and the land records being made at a later date, it was registered in Stephen's name, who had received it by request from his father. Hence William Backus, Sr., does not appear on the town records as a landholder.

His will, dated June 12, 1661, and witnessed by Thomas Tracy and John Roth, is recorded at New London, and indorsed as allowed by a court held in that place June 21, 1665.

It is interesting to observe how rapidly the settle- ment advanced in property and comfort. This family and others in the course of a single generation grew strong and luxuriant, throwing out buds and branches of rich and noble growth.

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History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 89

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