Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

engaged in business as a partner of
George T. Meech, under the name of
Meech & Stoddard. This business was,
in time, incorporated and is still among
the most successful enterprises of the
city. The industry and sound business
principles of the partners caused the busi-
ness to grow, and Mr. Stoddard continued
an active factor in its progress until
his retirement on account of impaired
health in 1903. For many years his home
was on Pleasant Street, Middletown,
where he enjoyed a well-earned retire-
ment. He held the esteem and respect of
a wide circle of friends and contemporaries.
Mr. Stoddard held membership
in the local encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic, which he had
represented in the State Encampment. In
its day of usefulness, he was a member of
the Middletown Board of Trade, was a
faithful attendant of the South Church,
and all his life a steadfast Republican in
political association. At one time he was
the candidate of his party for the office
of alderman, and was defeated by only
one vote ; not a seeker of political honors,
this caused him no chagrin.
Orrin E. Stoddard was married. May 21,
1872, to Martha Billings, who was born
September 9, 1853, in Ledyard, and died
October 30, 1923, in Middletown, a daugh-
ter of James Allyn and Margaret (Allyn)
Billings of that town. She was a member
of the South Congregational Church and
of Wadsworth Chapter, Daughters of the
American Revolution. James A. Billings
was born February, 1821, in Groton, and
died December, 1896, in Ledyard, where he
was a teacher in early life and a farmer. He
married, in 1852, Margaret J. Allyn, who
was born November 17, 1834, daughter
of Abel and Polly (Hakes) Allyn. Four
daughters complete the family of Mr. and
Mrs. Stoddard, namely: i. Mary B., wife
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
228
of William Gordon Murphy, residing in
Garden City, New York. 2. Grace Margaret,
wife of C. Hadlai Hull of New Lon-
don. 3. Anna Belle, wife of Walter E.
Jones of Middletown. 4. Henrietta Al-
lyn, graduated from Smith College, and is
the wife of Robert Martin, residing on
Staten Island, New York.
THOMPSON, Finton,
Artisan.
Not a little of the stamina, intelligence
and persistence of America are contrib-
uted by citizens of foreign birth, stable
and patriotic, who appreciate the oppor-
tunity and liberty which our country af-
fords. In County Queens, Ireland, lived
for many generations the family of
Thompson, on the same farm to the present
time. This farm is at Ballyfen, where
lived and died Finton Thompson and his
wife, Jane (Little) Thompson.
Thomas Thompson, son of Finton and
Jane (Little) Thompson, was a blacksmith
at Stradbally, born 1835 at Bally-
fen, died December 31, 1913, in Middle-
town, aged seventy-eight years. Late in
life he followed his son to America, where
his last days were passed in quiet com-
fort. In Ireland he married Elizabeth
Tynan, daughter of William Tynan, a
blacksmith, who lived and died at Strad-
bally. His wife, Elizabeth Gafifney, followed
her children to America, accom-
panied by her mother, who was a Lawler.
The latter is buried in Middletown.
Finton Thompson, son of Thomas and
Elizabeth (Tynan) Thompson, was born
April 19, 1869, in Stradbally, and lost his
mother when very small. Under the in-
structions of his father and grandfathe-
he became master of the blacksmith's
trade and, when a lad of seventeen years,
he came to America and made his home