History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 116

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: New York, Preston
Number of Pages: 1506

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Marcus Wood was born in 1834 in Killingly. He is a son of Olney M., son of Levi, son of Aaron, whose father, Noah, was a son of John Wood, who came from England to Swansea, Mass. His mother is Dorcas, daughter of Jeremiah and Dorcas Young. Mr. Wood was interested in mercantile business for eleven years in different places prior to 1867. At that time he in com- pany with his brother bought a general store at Dayville, which they ran until 1886. He was postmaster at Killingly about seven- teen years. He has been a music teacher for about twenty years, and since 1886 has devoted his time to music. He has led the singing in the Congregational church here for fifteen years. He was married in 1854 to Ellen E., daughter of Lott Mitchell. She died in May, 1887. He is a member of Moriah Lodge, No. 15, F. & A. M.

Amariah Wood, son of Olney M. Wood, was born in 1840 in Killingly. He was educated in the schools of Killingly. . In 1859 he came to Dayville, where he was clerk in the store of Sayles & Potter until 1867. At that time he in company with his brother Marcus Wood, bought the business and continued in the same until 1886, when they sold out to William P. Kelley. Mr. Wood has been bookkeeper for Kennedy Brothers for the past year.

Simon H. Wooddell, born in Foster, R. I., in 1844, is a son of James B. and grandson of William Wooddell. He bought the grocery department of the store of J. A. Paine at Chestnut Hill in 1875, where he continued until 1885. He took possession of a farm on the road from Ballouville to Chestnut Hill in June,

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1887, where he has lived since that time. He was married in 1870 to Flora M., daughter of Job W. Hill.

Wheeler W. Woodward was born in 1834 in Brooklyn, Conn. He is a son of Augustus and Caroline (Wheeler) Woodward, grandson of Ward and Rebecca (Putnam) Woodward, and great- grandson of Ephraim and Huldah (Cram) Woodward. Ephraim was a son of John, Jr., and Hannah (Hyde) Woodward, whose parents were John and Rebecca (Robbins) Woodward, whose father, George Woodward, was born in England in 1621; his father, Richard Woodward, was born in 1589 in England, and came from there with his family in 1634 to Watertown, Mass. John, Jr., above mentioned, came from Massachusetts to Canter- bury, Conn., about 1710, settling on a farm which remained in the Woodward family until 1880. Mr. Woodward's grandfather, Ward, served in the war of the revolution, Mr. Woodward pur- chased the drug business of Crandall & Ladd in Danielsonville in 1868, which he has carried on since. He was married in 1865 to Anna Ross. They have three children : Mary I., Arthur P. and William F. Mr. Woodward is a member of the Baptist church of Danielsonville, and has been clerk and treasurer of the same for several years. He is a republican.

Abner Young, son of Israel Young, was born in 1819 in Kill- ingly. He began the carpenter's trade at the age of 19, working at it seventeen years. Then he ran a shoe factory for seventeen years. In 1874 the firm of H. S. Young & Co. was established, Abner Young being the junior partner. In 1884 H. S. Young died, and since that time Abner has carried on the clothing busi- ness alone. Mr. Young was representative in the legislature in 1873. He has been warden of the borough two years. He was married in 1842 to Emily Baker. She died in 1857, leaving three children : Henry S., George W. and Eugene. He married Ju- liette Westcott in 1858. They had two children : Clarence W., who died, and J. Emily. Mr. Young is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church and holds the office of trustee and stew- ard. He is a republican.

Abner S. Young was born. January 11th, 1855, in Killingly. He is a son of Jonathan, whose father, Israel, was a son of Othan-

iel Young. His mother is Janette, daughter of Israel Dorman.

At the age of seventeen years he began to learn the carpenter's trade, which he has followed since that time. For the last five years he has been a contractor and builder. He was married in

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1877 to Clara, daughter of John Dexter, son of Marvin A., who was a son of Joseph, a descendant from Gregory Dexter, who came to Providence in 1643. He was the fourth pastor of the First Baptist church in America. They have one son, Earl A. D. Mr. Young is a republican.

Charles E. Young, born in May, 1849, is a son of Guilford and grandson of Othaniel Young. Mr. Young is a carpenter by trade. In 1877 he took charge of the Windham Company's grist mill at Attawaugan, which he has run since that time. He was married in 1870 to Mary E., daughter of Stephen Tripp. She died April 10th, 1886. They had three children: Lily May (deceased), Frank E. and C. Fred. He is a member of Assa- waga Lodge, No. 20, A. O. U. W., a member of John Lyon Lodge, No. 45, K. of P., and a member of the Congregational church of Brooklyn. He is a republican.

Ezra H. Young, born in 1818 in Sterling, Conn., is a son of Stephen, whose father was Jonah Young. His mother was Margaret (Bennett) Young. Mr. Young in 1865 bought a farm in the north part of the town where he has since resided. He was married in 1843 to Laura Burgess. She died in 1852, leaving two children: Ellen M. and Emerzetta. He was married in 1854 to Mrs. Mary Brown, daughter of Jacob Burgess. He is a democrat.

Jonah S. Young, born in 1809, is a son of Zephaniah, whose father, Jonah, was a son of Elder Asa Young. Mr. Young is a farmer. He was married in 1830 to Marcy Colvin, who died in 1833. He was married in 1834 to Maria O. Hubbord, who died in 1836. He was married in 1837 to Laura Spaulding. They have had eleven children, all of whom have died. Labin Har- rington, born in 1824, is a son of Zephaniah, whose father, William, was a son of Amos Harrington. He has lived for the last thirty years with Mr. Jonah S. Young.

Jonathan Young, born in 1818 in Killingly, is a son of Israel and grandson of Othaniel Young. His mother was Margaret (Chase) Young. He is a farmer, having lived at his present home since 1848. He was married in 1843 to Janette Dorman, who died in 1877. They had eight children, four of whom are living: Isabel M., Abner S., Emily J. and Charles W.

Maxey W. Young, oldest son of William Young, was born in 1839. His mother is Amy, daughter of Arnold Watson. Mr. Young was a farmer and mill operative until 1862. In August

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY. 1199

of that year he enlisted in Company K, 18th Connecticut volun- teers, and served until June, 1864, when he was discharged on account of disability. Since 1864 he has been a farmer and mill operative. He was two years in Knoxville, Tennessee, helping set up and start a cotton mill in 1886 and 1887. He was married in 1874 to Eleanor, daughter of William Warren, and has one daughter, Josephine H. He is a republican, although he had formerly been a democrat. He is a member of Post No. 51, G. A. R., of Dayville.

ASHFORD.

John Baker came from Dudley, Mass., to Ashford about 1825. He had four children, one of whom, Enoch, married Mary Web- ster, and had seven children, six of whom are now living. Da- vis A., the second son, born in Ashford in 1835, was educated at the schools of his native town and the state Normal school. He taught school in early life, but for the last ten years has been engaged in mercantile business. He represented Ashford in the legislature in 1867, 1877, and 1887, has been town clerk and judge of probate several years. He married Eliza Walbridge, and has two sons.

Reuben Barlow, a son of Reuben Barlow, was born in Wood- stock, and came to Ashford in 1845. He married Eunice Snow: They have three sons and two daughters. Henry C. and Anson G. are doing business as Barlow Brothers, lumber dealers, at Griggs' Mill.

Charles Chism, born in Ashford, is a son of David Chism. He was a soldier in the 16th Connecticut volunteers. He married Annie L., daughter of Chauncey Whiton, who married Lucinda Moore. He was clerk and treasurer of the church society forty years, and was a descendant of Joseph Whiton, one of the early settlers of Ashford. He had four children, of whom one, Samuel, was a missionary to Africa and to the freedmen.

John A. Chism, born in Ashford, is a son of David and Han- nah (Snell) Chism. He enlisted in the 25th Connecticut volun- teers. He is now a farmer. He married Martha N. More, daughter of John More, a descendant of Thomas Lawson, one of the first settlers of Union.

John S. Dean was a native of Ashford and a son of Leonard Dean. He married Hannah M., daughter of Stephen Knowlton. He was a farmer and also engaged in glass manufacture. He

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

held many official positions, represented Ashford in the legisla- ture, the 14th senatorial district in the senate in 1877, and was county commissioner two years. He died in 1879. His son, Charles L. Dean, was associated with him in glass manufacture until 1873. Since 1874 he has been a member of the firm of Dean, Foster & Co., of Boston and Chicago, manufacturers of glassware. Charles Dean represented Ashford in the legislature of 1881, was county commissioner from 1869 to 1875, and was a member of Governor Andrew's staff. He is president of the First National Bank of Stafford.

Willard S. Fuller was born in Woodstock, and came to Ash- ford in 1842. He is a son of John and Hannah Fuller, and grandson of Elisha Fuller, who was a soldier in the revolutionary war. He is married to Almira Chaffee.

John T. Greene was born in Exeter, R. I., and came to Ashford in 1865. In early life he taught school. He represented Ash- ford in the legislature of 1871 and is one of the selectmen of the town. He married Lucy E. Davis and has three children: Frank IV., Nellie A. and Annie B.

The Knowlton family were among the first settlers of Ash- ford. Robert Knowlton was a manufacturer of salt. One of his descendants, Daniel, married Hannah Knowlton, daughter of one Daniel Knowlton, a soldier of the revolutionary war, and brother of Colonel Knowlton of revolutionary fame. Daniel and Hannah Knowlton had three sons and three daughters. One son, Miner, was a graduate of West Point, a captain in the regular army, and served in the Mexican war. Another, Dan- ford, was a merchant in New York. Edwin, the third son, re- sided in Ashford, married Mary, daughter of Otis Woodward, and had four children, one of whom, Robert D. W. Knowlton, represented Ashford in the legislature of 1889.

Stephen Fitts, a native of Massachusetts, came to Ashford, married Polly Knowlton, daughter of Colonel Thomas Knowl- ton, and had three children, Christian, Stephen and Maria. Christian married William Loomis, who was a farmer in Ash- ford, and had two children, Chester and Mary A. Chester was a farmer in Ashford and died in 1874.

Charles Mathewson came to Ashford from Woodstock in 1850 and bought a saw and grist mill at Warrenville, which he oper- ated until 1865, when he was succeeded by the firm of Lombard & Mathewson, manufacturers of fertilizers and wholesale dealers

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

in agricultural implements. Charles Mathewson married Celia Hammond, and had five children, one of whom, John, married Ellen Carpenter and resides in Ashford.

Ira'G. Murphy, son of Archibald and Sabra (Gallup) Murphy, came to Windham county, in 1832, and settled permanently in Ashford in 1840. He engaged in trade which he continued till his death in 1856. His son Jolin A. succeeded to his father's business which he still continues. Mr. Murphy was instrumen- tal in establishing a post office in Warrenville in 1872 and was the first postmaster. He represented Ashford in the legislature in 1863, and has been appointed deputy sheriff five times. He married Mary Spaulding, of Pomfret, and they have one son. and four daughters.

Michael Richmond, son of Abner Richmond, a soldier in the revolutionary war, was born in Woodstock in November, 1786, and came to Ashford about 1800. In early life he learned sad- dle making and afterward engaged in the manufacture of cloth, also axes. He was also engaged in staging and turnpike build- ing, and in the mercantile business, until he retired at 60 years of age. He died in 1881. He married Polly Barnes and had seven children, of whom only Mrs. Juliette Child and Mr. Elizur Richmond remain in Ashford.

Ebenezer Knowlton, a son of Stephen, married Eliza A. Lyon. He was postmaster and a merchant at West Ashford for twenty- five years and died in 1866. He had six children, of whom one, Adaline, married Dwight Shurtliff. They have three children.

John C. Smith, a son of Asa and grandson of George Smith, who were farmers in Ashford, commenced business in Westford as a wagon maker and blacksmith about 1833. This business he has continued with his son until the present time. He mar- ried Polly Thresher and has two children-Susan and Andrew S., who married Mary Whitaker. They have one son, George D. Smith.

Joseph Smith came from Smithfield, R. I., to Willington, . Conn., about 1785. He had seven children, of whom one son, John, a soldier of the revolutionary war, married Mary Covell and had four children. One son, Charles, married Hannah Thresher. He died in 1844, and his widow still lives, in the one hundredth year of her age. They had nine children, of whom Samuel, born in Willington, came to Ashford in 1866. He mar- ried, first, Almira Morse ; second, Mary Thresher. He has two

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

children-Charles A. and Hattie, who married Clarence Wal- cott.

Lieutenant Daniel Knowlton married, first, Elizabeth Farn- ham ; second, Rebecca Fenton. He had ten children, of whom Marvin married Celestia Leonard and had two children-Mar- vin and Maria B., who married Henry Upton. Marvin Knowl- ton was a man frequently consulted in business affairs and one who settled many estates.

Leander Wright was in the mercantile business in New York in early life until 1847, when he came to Ashford to the family homestead, where five generations of the family have resided. He married Sarah Fisk, daughter of William A. Fisk. They have nine children. He died in 1887.

EASTFORD.

S. D. Bosworth, born in Eastford, is a son of Allen and Sally (Hall) Bosworth, and grandson of Ebenezer Bosworth, a soldier in the revolutionary war, who married Elizabeth Fletcher. Eben- ezer was a son of Benjamin who came from Rehoboth, Mass., and settled about one mile west of the church in Eastford. Mr. Bosworth represented the town in the legislature in 1865, and has held various town offices. He married Elizabeth Badger, and has three children. His only son, Henry A., married Margaret Buell, and is a farmer in Eastford. Clarissa, only daughter of Allen Bosworth, married Joseph Dorset, and has one son, Ben- jamin, in New York.

Jairus Chapman, born in Ashford, was a son of Roswell, and ' grandson of Thomas, a soldier of the revolutionary war. He was selectman and justice many years, and represented Ash- ford in the legislature. Jairus Chapman married Emily Morse, and their children were: Zeviah R., Elvira E. and Mary J., who is a teacher of long experience.

Darwin Clark is a son of Palmer Clark, who came from Charl- ton, Mass., to Woodstock and afterward to Eastford, where he died in 1879. His son Darwin married Mary, daughter of Wil- liam Bradway. They have five children. Mr. Clark is a farmer and stock dealer.

John Holman, son of Thomas, was born in Union in 1778, married Mary, daughter of Allen Bosworth, in 1808, and moved to Eastford in 1816. Four of their children are now living. John, Newton and Emily live in Eastford. Emily married

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Nelson Clark, son of Palmer Clark, and one of the most success- ful farmers in Eastford.

Joseph B. Latham, son of Laban Latham, came from Johnston, R. I., to Eastford. Conn., in 1823. He was a millwright. 'He was justice of the peace many years, and represented Eastford in the legislature several times. He married a Bullard, and had six children who grew to manhood: Joseph B., Lorenzo B., Wil- liam H., Eugene E., James E. and Monroe F., who married Sarah Johns, and has one son, Oliver H. Monroe F. is one of the selectmen of Eastford, and represented the town in the legis- lature in 1884. James E. Latham was born in Eastford in 1841, married Elizabeth Adams, of Eastford, and has two children.

George W. Olds, a native of Maine, came to North Ashford, and engaged in the business of making staves in company with Silas Simmons. In 1872 he opened a store at North Ashford, which he has continued until the present time. He has been postmaster since 1874.

Silas Preston, born in 1798 in Ashford, is a son of John and Persis (Weeks) Preston and grandson of John, a soldier of the revolutionary war. He was educated at the common schools, and in early life was a farmer. He represented Ashford in the legislature in 1842, was selectman several years, also director in the Stafford Bank. Later in life he was president of the East- ford Savings Bank until eighty-four years of age. He married Betsey Wright, with whom he lived sixty-three years. They had eight children. Mr. Preston now lives with his daughter, Mrs. Spaulding, and is ninety-one years of age.

Freeman Putnam, son of Asa Putnam, was born at Charlton, Mass., came to Union when quite young, and to Eastford in 1854. In early life he was a shoemaker, and later a farmer. He married Huldah, daughter of Danford Morse, supposed to be a descendant of Anthony Morse, who settled in Massachusetts in 1635.

Charles A. Rice was born in Springfield and came to Eastford in 1857. He has been twice married; his first wife was Mary Connell, and his second wife Hannah Carpenter, daughter of Oliver and Mary (Allen) Carpenter. Mary Allen was a daughter of Ephraim Allen and granddaughter of Timothy Allen, who was born in Mansfield in 1748. Mr. Rice is one of the justices of the town.

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John Sherman, born in Eastford in 1818, was one of the nine children of Zephaniah Sherman and grandson of David Sherman, who came to Eastford from Fall River. Mr. Sher- man was educated at the schools of Eastford, was in mercan- tile business in early life in Eastford, also manufacturing, later in the mercantile business at Brunswick, Me., and at pres- ent a farmer. He has served as town clerk several years, also selectman. He married Laura L. Edgerton, of Massachusetts. The only surviving brother of Mr. Sherman, Isaac Sherman, is a clergyman at Thompson.

Augustus Spaulding, a descendant in the seventh generation from Edward Spaulding, who came to America about 1630, is one of the most successful farmers of Eastford. He married Abigail C. Richards, of Dedham, Mass., daughter of Ebenezer .

Richards. Their children are: Albert H., George R. and Carrie N.

Charles O. Warren, son of Isaac and Lydia (Sumner) Warren, married Mary L. Sumner, daughter of Increase Sumner, and a descendant of Benjamin Sumner, the first of the name in East- ford, who was born at Roxbury in 1724. Mr. Charles Warren is the present town clerk. He has been in the mercantile business several years.

Benjamin Warren, a son of Isaac, was born in Killingly, and married Elizabeth, daughter of John Fisher, who was on General Washington's staff in the revolutionary war. Benjamin was a farmer and auctioneer, and held several town offices. He had seven children, of whom Edmond W., born in Eastford, mar- ried Emily Edwards of Vermont, daughter of Samuel Edwards. Mr. Warren is a farmer and marketman. He has served as jus- tice and selectman.

Robert Wheaton, born at Swansea, Wales, in 1605, settled at Rehoboth, Mass., between 1630 and 1636, and married Alice Bowen. Deacon James Wheaton, a descendant in the fifth gen- eration from Robert, came from Swansea, Mass., to Pomfret, Conn., in 177S, and to Thompson in 1800, where he kept a hotel. His son, Levi, succeeded him in the hotel. Simeon A. Wheaton, son of Levi, was born at Thompson in 1829, came to Eastford and engaged in mercantile business, which he has continued for forty years. He represented Eastford in the legislature of 1882, was county commissioner from 1876 to 1879, and has been one of the most successful business men of Eastford.

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History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 116

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: New York, Preston Number of Pages: 1506

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: New York, Preston
Number of Pages: 1506