History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 16

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

USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut > Part 16

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).

Judge Carpenter, in 1848, was united in marriage to Harriet Grosvenor Brown, daughter of Shubael Brown, of Brooklyn, and niece of Reverend John Brown, D.D., formerly of Boston, who died in Hadley, Mass. Mrs. Carpenter died in 1874, leaving one son, who died in 1879, and three daughters who still survive. In 1876 Judge Carpenter was married to SophiaTyler Cowen, of Hart- ford, a daughter of the late Sidney J. Cowen, of Saratoga, and

148

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

granddaughter of Esek Cowen, formerly a judge of the supreme court offNew York. She is a lineal descendant of Thomas Hooker, the founder of Connecticut, and of Jonathan Edwards. They have one son and one daughter.

The first lawyer who located in the growing village of Putnam was Harrison Johnson, who established himself there about 1840. Chauncey F. Cleveland, commonly called Governor Cleve- land, was practicing in Hampton, where he spent a long life, and devoted himself to advancing the welfare of his fellow man, both in his own locality and elsewhere. He was greatly inter- ested in railroad enterprises, and was largely instrumental in securing the convenience of a railroad through his own town where it was so much needed. Besides his law practice he was pre-eminently a public servant. After two years in the state legislature, devoted largely in the encouragement of railroad enterprise, he was sent as a representative to congress in 1849. There he gave his vote and influence in opposing the extension of slavery, thus incurring the displeasure of the democratic party, by whom he had been nominated. But he was heartily supported by a constituency in sympathy with his views and was re-elected for another term by a much greater majority than at first. He soon became a bold and vigorous opposer of slavery, and in the memorable campaign of 1860 was placed at the head of the electoral ticket which gave the vote of the state to Abraham Lincoln. He was appointed by Governor Bucking- ham one of the delegates to the Washington Peace Convention of March, 1861, when he used his influence as best he could to avert the threatening war, but without avail. During the war he earnestly supported the administration. The term of service which gave him the title "Governor," which he afterward wore, was the two years 1842 to 1844. He practiced his profession as an advocate whenever the demands of official labors would per- mit. His otherwise happy and honored life, among his own people in Hampton, was shadowed by heavy bereavements -- the death of his most promising son, John J. Cleveland, in early manhood, followed in less than two years by the death of his only surviving child, Delia Diantha, the wife of Hon. Alfred A. Burnham.

William Smith Scarborough was born in Brooklyn, this coun- ty, August 2d, 1814. He graduated from Yale College, with the famous class of 1837, of which class he was a popular and dis-

149

IIISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

tinguished member. He studied law in the law school of Tran- sylvania University at Lexington, Ky., and entered upon the practice of law in Thompson, in January, 1841. He soon gained a high position at the bar of Windham county, and served as state senator in 1846. On account of failing health he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he soon resumed the practice of his profession with fidelity and success, serving there as school com- missioner. He returned and again made his home in Thomp- son, in 1884, and still resides there.

Lucius H. Rickard was born in Pomfret, October 12th, 1828. At the age of four years he removed with his parents to Hampton, and four years later to Killingly, where his home has been, with brief exceptions, from that time till the present. He worked on the farm and attended the district school until he was thirteen years of age, when he went to the Scituate Seminary, in Rhode Island, remaining there four years. Afterward he attended the East Greenwich Seminary for six months, all the time working to pay his own expenses. In October, 1848, he went to Greene county, N. Y., and amid the rugged scenery of the Catskill mountains taught school in the town of Hunter for two years. During this time he commenced the study of law with Hon. Ly- man Tremain, who was then located at Durham, in Greene coun- ty. Remaining in that county until 1850, Mr. Rickard was ad- mitted to the bar at Albany, during that year, and the following spring returned to Killingly and commenced the practice of law. In 1852 he was appointed to a government position at Washing- ton by President Pierce, which position he retained until during President Buchanan's administration he was appointed assistant district attorney of Iowa and removed to that state. There he remained until 1862, when he returned to his old home in Kil- lingly. He was admitted to the bar of the United States supreme court at Washington in 1861. Since 1862 he has con- tinued in the practice of his profession here. He has been five times elected warden of the borough of Danielsonville, and at the present time is commissioner of the supreme court, justice of the peace and notary public.

Elliot Benjamin Sumner was born in Tolland, Conn., August 23d, 1834. He was the son of William A. Sumner and Anna Washburn Suinner, his mother being now living at the age of ninety-five years. Until he reached the age of sixteen years he lived on his father's farm at Tolland; he then entered the Wes-

150

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

leyan Academy at Wilbraham, Mass., where he was fitted for the Wesleyan University at Middletown, Conn., but circumstances prevented his pursuing that course of study. In 1855 he com- menced the study of law with the late Judge Loren P. Waldo and Honorable Alvin P. Hyde at Tolland, at which place he was admitted to the bar in August, 1857. In the following December he opened an office at Willimantic, where he has since been steadily engaged in the practice of his profession, occupying the same office for more than thirty years. In 1861 he married Miss Sarah E. Farnham, who died in 1881, leaving two children, Flor- ence A. Sumner and William A. Sumner, who are still living. In 1857 Mr. Sumner was assistant clerk in the house of repre- sentatives, and in 1871 senator from the Thirteenth senatorial district. He was then chairman of the committee on federal re- lations and cities and boroughs. He has from time to time held various county, town and borough offices. His church relations are with the Baptists.

Abiel Converse was born in the town of Thompson, in Wind- ham county, on the 13th of December, 1815. His early life and education were with a primitive people, amid very primitive scenes, and in the most primitive schools. In conformity to the customs of the time, he was subjected to the most exacting la- bor upon a hard and rugged farm from childhood to the stature of a man. An abundance of simple and substantial food, and an active life in the open air gave him health and vigor for a life- time. At about the age of seventeen years, he began teaching " common schools" during a few months in the winter, continu- ing his farm labors the rest of the year. Two or three years later he entered Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Mass., pre- pared for college and graduated at Wesleyan University at Mid- dletown, Conn., in 1839, during all this time teaching school oc- casionally to supply a chronic deficiency in his exchequer.

Soon after graduation he entered the law office of Hon. Peter C. Bacon, late of Worcester, Mass., as a student, where he re- mained for about two years, and was then entered a student of Hon. L. F. S. Foster, of Norwich, Conn., after which he was called to the bar of New London county in February, 1842. He soon commenced the practice of his chosen profession at Daniel- sonville in Windham county, and successfully pursued the same until 1854, a period of twelve years. At this time he removed to New London, at once rose to prominence in the profession and

W.W.Preston& CONY

Abich Couverte

151

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

secured the confidence and esteem of his associates at the bar, his large clientage and of the public. Twenty years later he re- tired from all active business and removed to his native town of Thompson, where he is still living in the enjoyment of vigorous health and a fair competence.

On the 17th of November, 1842, he was joined in marriage with Miss Matilda Sly, of Dudley, Mass., an estimable young lady who has since shared his joys and sorrows, and still lives in robust health, nearing gently and serenely the evening of life. Two daughters crowned this union: to wit, Mary Ellen, born July 17th, 1847, who died November 19th, 1884, and Martha An- na, born October 28th, 1848, married to Major Charles C. Mac- Connell of the United States army on the 26th of December, 1871, at New London, Conn., who died in Fort Adams at New- port, January 9th, 1874.

Mr. Converse traces his genealogy for more than eight hun- dred years back to Normandy, France, where the titled family of De Coigniries held a distinguished place among the Norman nobles of that day in possession of large estates around the Chateau of Coignir. A member of this family, Roger De Coigniries, accompanied William the Conqueror in his invasion of England in 1066, was one of his most trusted and able chief- tains, and so distinguished himself at the battle of Hastings that his name was entered upon the roll of honor in the record of the battle and placed in the abbey erected upon the battle field by William and called the Battle Abbey. This name after the con- quest was changed to Coniers or Conyers, and was transmitted with vast estates by lords and barons and nobles for more than five hundred years as the records show. In 1590 in this line was born Edward Conyers, who in 1630 came with Winthrop to America, and with him settled in Charlestown near Boston. He is the ancestor of the family of Conyers or Convers, and later Converse, in this country. He was one of the founders of the first church in that town, now known as the First Church of Boston, also of what is now the First Church of Charlestown, and a few years later of the church and town of Woburn, was the first deacon of the last named church, continuing such until his death. He became a leader and distinguished citizen of that town, and was honored with all the offices in the gift of its inhabitants.

His grandson, Samuel Convers, settled in the north part of the

152

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

town of Killingly in 1710, then Thompson Parish, and was ore of the very first settlers in that remote section. From him has descended a large portion of the people of that name in the United States.

Jonathan Convers, sixth in the line from Deacon Edward of Woburn, was born in Thompson Parish, married Keziah Hughs, and was the father of a large family of children, the eldest being Elijah Convers, who married Experience Hibbard and was the father of four children, the youngest being Riel Convers, who married Alice Bixby, a descendant of one of the earliest settlers of Thompson Parish.

Abiel Converse, eldest son of Riel and Alice, was a born demo- crat, and very early entered with characteristic enthusiasm the arena of politics. While never seeking official position, he was honored by his party with many offices of trust, the duties of which he discharged with ability, fidelity and integrity.

In 1844, he was appointed by the court, attorney for the state in and for Windham county and held the office by reappoint- ments for several years. In 1845 he represented the town of Killingly in the general assembly of the state. In 1848 and in 1849 he was appointed by the general assembly judge of probate for the district of Killingly. After his removal to New London he was clerk of the court of probate for that district, judge of the city police court and of the city court (civil), and for several years city attorney. He has always taken a deep interest in public education and been active in school boards for many years, and in all places where he has resided. He has been leader of a forlorn hope of his party in many contests against overwhelming odds. He was the democratic candidate for con- gress in his district directly after the civil war and received the full vote of his party.

Earl Martin was born in Chaplin in the year 1820. He was the son of Thomas and Hannah Martin. He read law with Judge Richmond, of Ashford, Conn., and was admitted to the bar in 1847. He removed to Danielsonville in 1849, and has lived there since that time. He was judge of the superior court of Connec- ticut from 1874 to 1882 inclusive, and has served one term in the legislature as a representative, being put in nomination by the democrats. He was married in 1855 to C. Jane Champlin, daughter of Deacon Benjamin Champlin.

153

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

Edward Cundall was born in Killingly, March 9th, 1831. He was a descendant of Joseph Cundall, who was born in 1692, and came from York county, England, to Boston and thence to Rhode Island, where he engaged in woolen manufacture. The sub- ject of this sketch pursued a course of study at Hopkins Acad- emy and studied law with Judge Foster of Norwich. He was admitted to the bar in 1851. From 1866 to 1872 he was state's attorney for Windham county. In 1872 he was appointed clerk of the superior and supreme courts for this county. He held a major's commission in the Seventh regiment, was a representa- tive in the state legislature in 1857, 1866 and 1883, a senator from the Thirteenth district in 1865, and a member of the com- mission to revise the probate laws of Connecticut. He was mar- ried November 26th, 1857, to Emily M. Smith, of Killingly. They have two children living, Arthur L. and Clarence E., who graduated at Yale Law School in the class of 1888. He died in October, 1885.

John J. Penrose .- The parents of the subject of this biography are William and Lydia Lynch Penrose. Their son, John J. Pen- rose, was born on the 12th of December, 1821, in New York city, and when eight years of age removed to Hampton, Connecticut. His education was received at the common and select schools of the town, with additional advantages at a later date under a private tutor, where he became familiar with the Latin language and English history and literature. He in his nineteenth year began the study of law with Governor Chauncey F. Cleveland, and continuing for three years as a student, was admitted to practice at the bar of Connecticut in 1843. Mr. Penrose located in Central Village, in the town of Plainfield, where he is still engaged in the practice of the law. He very soon attained a prominent place in the profession, and has been identified with the leading cases that have come before the courts of Windham and the adjacent counties.

Always politically allied with the democracy he was during the critical period of the war a war democrat, and in 1860 can- didate for the position of elector-at-large on the Douglas ticket. He has also received the nomination for congressional honors, and has for twenty years held the position of state's attorney for Windham county. He is a trustee of the Windham County Savings Bank and identified with other business interests in the county. Mr. Penrose was married in October, 1869, to Rebecca,

154

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

daughter of Henry Angell, of Plainfield, a lineal descendant of Roger Williams. Their children are two daughters, Kate and Nellie, and a son, John J., Jr.

George W. Melony was born at Windham February 15th, 1850, being the second son of Norman and Sophia (Beckwith) Melony. He graduated from the Natchaug School at Willimantic in 1871, and commenced the study of law with Mr. E. B. Sumner, and was admitted to the bar of Windham county in 1874. He soon after commenced the practice of law in Willimantic, in which he has since practiced.

Seymour A. Tingier (originally Tinker) was the son of Dea- con Edward L. Tinker and Laura Steele, and was born in the little hill town of Tolland, Hampden county, Mass., December 4th, 1829. After a preparatory course at the Westfield, Mass., Academy and Connecticut Literary Institution, of Suffield, Conn., he entered Williams College, from which he graduated in 1855. He then went west, with the intention of locating in Nebraska, but returned in 1857, and was married, November 25th of that year, to Sarah Twining, the only daughter of Lyman Twining, of Tolland. He had previously studied law in the office of his brother-in-law, William F. Slocum, at Grafton, Mass. About this time he applied to. the Massachusetts legislature, and that body legalized the change of his surname to Tingier. In 1858 he established himself in the practice of law at Webster, Mass., where he continued until 1878, when he removed over into the adjoining town of Thompson, Windham county, Conn. Here he devoted most of his attention to farming, practicing law but little, until his death, July 23d, 1888. He held various town of- fices in Webster, and during his life in Thompson served on the board of assessors, board of relief and as registrar of voters. His death was the result of a fall from a scaffold in his barn. His first wife died August 22d, 1864, leaving two children, both born at Webster-Lyman Twining Tingier, who is now practic- ing law in his native town, and Sarah P. Tingier, who is also still living. In 1870 he married Mary L. Tucker, daughter of Charles Tucker, of Webster, who survives him.

Benjamin Silliman Warner was born in Woodstock, Conn., September 24th, 1856. He was the son of Alexander and Mary Trumbull Warner. . His mother, whose maiden name was Mathewson, was the great-granddaughter of William Williams, one of the signers of the declaration of independence, whose

I. S. Finns

ARTOTYPE, E. BIERSTADT, N. Y

155

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

wife was the daughter of Governor Jonathan Trumbull, the im- mortal " Brother Jonathan," whose real name has been taken as the nick-name of a nation. Thus it will be seen Mr. Warner's lineage, through maternal ancestry, connects him with two of the conspicuous patriots of revolutionary times. He lived in Wood- stock until he was five years of age, at which time he went South with his mother who went to join her husband, then in command of the Thirteenth Connecticut Volunteers. They lived in camp with Lieutenant Colonel Warner until after the surrender of Port Hudson. Young Warner then lived in New Orleans, where he attended school, till after the close of the war. His father bought a plantation in Madison county, Miss., and there they lived for three years, after which Benjamin was sent to school for a year and a half at Lookout Mountain, Tenn. The follow- ing year he acted as messenger in the senate, at Jackson, Miss. In the spring of 1872 he came to Windham county, and for four years lived at the home of his grandparents in Pomfret, attend- ing school meanwhile in Woodstock. He graduated at the Put- nam High School in 1877, and then took a special course for one year at the Sheffield Scientific School. He then began reading law in the office of Charles E. Searls, of Putnam, and two years later attended the University of the City of New York, where he graduated in 1882, and was immediately admitted to the bar of Windham county. In June, 1886, he married Sara L. Trow- bridge, daughter of Edward and Sarah A. Trowbridge, of Brook- lyn, N. Y. They have one son, Arthur Trumbull Warner. In 1877 Colonel Warner bought a farm in Pomfret, and here the subject of our sketch with his father spent much of his time superintending its improvement. They had the finest herd of Guernsey cattle in the county, and one of the finest in the state. Their herd gained a number of gold and silver medals at the New England and state fairs. Mr. Warner has been justice of the peace in Pomfret, notary public, and twice assessor of the town.

Calvin M. Brooks is a native of Worcester county, Mass., and is now fifty-eight years of age. He is a graduate of Yale College, and studied law in Worcester, Mass., where he also practiced for a considerable time. He also practiced law in Boston, Mass., in the city of New York, and as counsel for the Russian legation at Washington, D. C. For several years he resided at Eastford, in this county, but has since removed to Hartford, Conn.

156

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

Albert McClellan Mathewson was born in Woodstock October 19th, 1860, and spent his early boyhood with his parents on a farm near Roseland Park. He attended Woodstock Academy from the spring of 1870 until the close of the year 1877, when he began teaching school in the same town. In the fall of 1882 he began a course in the Law Department of Yale University, and graduated with the class of 1884. He began the practice of law in Putnam, October 19th, 1884, and remained there until July 1st, 1888, when he removed to New Haven, where he is now practicing his profession. He was married June 13th, 1888, to Mary E. Foster. He is a descendant of the renowned revolu- tionary characters, Jonathan Trumbull (Brother Jonathan) and William Williams, signer of the declaration of independence. His father is William Williams Mathewson, and his mother's maiden name was Harriet Augusta Warner.

Andrew Jackson Bowen was born in what is now the town of Eastford, but was then a part of the town of Ashford, April 16th, 1845. His ancestors came to this country in 1640, and settled in the town of Swansea, Mass., which they named after the town in Wales from which they had come. His father, Oliver Bowen, was an active business man, having been engaged in the manu- facture of shoes previous to 1837, but was afterward engaged in mercantile pursuits and farming. The subject of this sketch was familiar with the latter occupation, and practiced therein during his boyhood. His education was obtained in the com- mon school, with some additional instruction in a private school, after which he engaged in teaching for a few terms. He was married December 4th, 1867, to Hannah R., youngest daughter of J. K. Rindge, Esq., of Hampton, and they have had three children, Bessie, Clarence and Ernest. At the age of twenty- one he engaged in trade, and continued it for a period of twelve years with satisfactory results, his field of operation being in his native town. While thus engaged he held the office of post- master for five years. He also held local offices, was director in a savings bank, and represented his town in the state legislature, serving on the committee on corporations. He studied law about four years, part of the time with Judge Richmond, of Ash- ford, and was admitted to the Windham county bar in May, 1881. A short time before that he removed to Willimantic, and soon after opened a law office, engaging at the same time in the fire insurance business. He has been an efficient officer of the Con-

157

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

necticut Humane Society, and has also had more than the usual business of a trial justice. Although named in honor of a dis- tinguished democratic president, he cast his lot with the repub- lican party by voting for U. S. Grant in 1868, and in the pres- idential campaign of 1888 took the stump for Harrison and pro- tection. Since 1865 he has been an active member of the Con- gregational church.

John Lathrop Hunter was born at Gardiner, Maine, March 13th, 1834. He was the oldest son of John P. and Mary A. (Stone) Hunter, his mother being the daughter of Colonel John Stone, of the pioneer stock of Maine, and one of the early temperance reformers of that state. Young Hunter in his youth attended Gardiner and Wicasset Academies, entered Bowdoin College in 1851, and graduated there in 1855. He studied law in Gardiner with Charles Danforth, now a judge of the supreme court of that state, and was admitted to the Kennebec county bar in 1859. He commenced to practice law in his native town, and also edited the Augusta Age for a while. He began the practice of law in Willimantic in 1871, and has since been practicing here. He was a member of the Connecticut legislature in 1879.

George A. Conant was born at Ithaca, N. Y., June 27th, 1856. He was the only son of Albert A. and Amanda M. (Cullender) Conant. He graduated from the Natchaug High School in 1874, and soon after entered Amherst College, where he grad- uated in 1878. In 1879 he attended the Boston University Law School. He studied law with John M. Hall, of Willimantic, and became a member of the Windham county bar in 1880.

Arthur G. Bill was born in Chaplin May 29th, 1856. He attended district schools in that town until 1867, when he en- tered Natchaug High School at Willimantic, and afterward attended Woodstock Academy and Danielsonville High School. He graduated from the latter in 1874, and in the fall of the same year entered the law office of the late Edward L. Cundall. After remaining with him for a year, he entered the Yale Law School and graduated from there in 1877. Immediately after that he was admitted to the bar in New Haven. He then engaged in the practice of law, being associated with Mr. Cundall. In 1882 they also engaged in the insurance business, under the firm name of Cundall & Bill. Since the death of Mr. Cundall, in Oc- tober, 1885, Mr. Bill has succeeded to the law and insurance bus- iness of the firm. In June, 1886, he was appointed coroner for

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 Windham County, Connecticut, Part 16

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