FREDERICK STOUGHTON MEACHAM

BIOGRAPHY

AS RECORDED IN:

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF
TOLLAND AND WINDHAM COUNTIES CONNECTICUT.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS AND OF MANY OF THE EARLY SETTLED FAMILIES
PUBLISHER: J.H.BEERS & CO., CHICAGO; 1903 P. 191

FREDERICK STOUGHTON MEACHAM was born Aug. 21, 1872, in Tolland, Conn., on the old homestead, where his father, Charles Meacham, lived and died.

Charles Meacham was born Aug. 31, 1837, and died Jan. 11, 1896. He was at one time engaged in the manufacture of spools on the old homestead on a very extensive scale. His life business, however, was farming and he was a successful and prosperous man. In politics he was a Republican, and at different times filled many minor offices. In church affairs he was very active, being chorister, and Sunday-school superintendent for many years. He is remembered as a man of domestic habits and traits, much devoted to his family, a kind friend and a good neighbor. Mr. Meacham was a charter member of the Tolland Grange. He was the general agent for the American Agriculturist in several counties in New York as well as in Connecticut, and was engaged with the Phelps Publishing Company, which is now the Orange Judd Company of Springfield, Mass. Mr. Meacham gained his early education in the Ellington high school.

Charles Meacham was first united in marriage to Miss Emily Clark, a daughter of William Clark, of Tolland, who died Aug. 9, 1864. His second wife, Anna, was a sister of his first wife. She died Feb. 9, 1866, and he was married, a third time to Mary Stoughton, who was born April 30, 1838, and married Mr. Meacham, Dec. 22, 1866. Her parents were Cicero and Lavina Stoughton, of New Preston township, Washington, Conn. To this marriage were born the following children: Emily Clark, born Dec. 14, 1867, who married Albert Parsons, a farmer of Ellington, and became the mother of Ruby Marian, born April 18, 1894; Anna Louise, born July 2, 1869, living at home; Frederick Stoughton; Charles Edwin, born April 19, 1875, a poultry fancier and largely interested in poultry raising, who married Edith Lathrop, and has two children, Florence, born June 3, 1900, and Charles Preston, born Jan. 21, 1902.

Enoch Giles Meacham, the grandfather of Frederick S., was born in Tolland, Feb. 13, 1812, received his education in the Tolland schools and devoted his mature years to farming and milling, for some years carrying on a butcher business as well. In his later years he took much satisfaction in his connection with the church, of which he became a deacon when a young man. He died May 2, 1895. Anna C. Ladd, his wife, was the daughter of Stephen Ladd, of Tolland, and they were married in 1836. She was born in 1818, and died Nov. 7, 1891. Stephen Ladd was a grandson of Jonathan Ladd, who came to Tolland about 1720. Their children were: Charles, who was the father of Frederick S.; Caroline; William G.; Sarah, wife of Dr. S.P. Ladd of Moosup, Conn.; Wilbur, who died at the age of five years.

Enoch Meacham, great-grandfather of Frederick S., was born in Woodstock, Conn., and came from that point to Tolland in 1797, settling on the farm where his descendants are now found. He died Aug. 29, 1839, at the age of seventy-one. His wife, Peggy, died March 15, 1837, at the age of sixty-four years.

Frederick S. Meacham was educated in the home district, and in the Rockville high school. In 1892, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1900 and 1901 he taught school in the towns of South Windsor, Vernon and Tolland; during these years he has continued on the old Deacon Meacham farm. The house in which he lived until March 12, 1903, when it was destroyed by fire, was built by his great-grandfather in 1811 and was called the best in the town at the time of its erection. This farm of 250 acres was known as the "banner farm" of the town, because of the excellent manner in which it was kept up and cultivated. Mr. Meacham owned 196 acres, with a saw, grist and shingle mill, long since established by his grandfather on the Hockanum river, which runs through his farm. The mill power was greatly improved by the addition of a 38-horse power water wheel. Feb. 8, 1902, the place was sold to the Rockville Water and Aqueduct Company. For two years Mr. Meacham has been Past Master of the Tolland Grange. In his politics he is a staunch Republican, is a member of the school board, and was acting school visitor in 1898 and 1899; he has also served on the board of relief. An active man in the Congregational Church, he has been president of the local society of Christian Endeavor.

The Meacham family is one of the old and honored families of the town, and has had among its various representatives some of the best citizens of the place.

Reproduced by:

Linda D. Pingel

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