Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

The devotion and solicitude of Dr.
Laden to his profession was truly re-
markable. He possessed that courage
which holds on in spite of all disappointments
and reverses. The impelling spirit
of his life was service, not the service
of self-centered ambition, but a desire
to serve his fellow-men, and this spirit
led him to continue with his work even
after his health had become so impaired
that physically he was unable to do so.
He possessed great strength of character
as well as strength of body, always fully
equal to the occasion. He had put his
ability, his energy and life into the work
of his profession, and his death, in the
prime of life, is regretted by the many
who knew his helpful ministrations.
LADEN, Thomas Joseph,
Priest.
A member of a Wallingford family,
Father Laden was born October 31, 1872,
in that town, son of James C. and Cecelia
(McGrath) Laden.
As a youth he was studiously inclined
and availed himself of the public schools
of Wallingford, including the High
School, where he was a student for two
years. He then entered St. Bonaventure's
College at Allegany, New York, where he
continued his studies over a period of five
years. He was prepared for the priesthood
at St. John's Seminary, Brighton,
Massachusetts, where he was ordained
December 17, 1897. He was immediately
assigned to duty in St. Peter's Parish,
Hartford, where for nearly fifteen years
he was assistant to the Rev. Thomas
Broderick. This is a very large parish
and the duties of this position were many.
Father Laden was busily occupied from
morning until night in the various departments
of parish work. On August 28,
1912, he was appointed by Bishop Nilan
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
307
to the pastorate at Cromwell, Connecticut,
which includes a mission at Rocky
Hill. For these duties Father Laden had
been well prepared by his previous exper-
ience and his charges are flourishing.
Many improvements have been made in
the church, as well as the pastoral resi-
dence at Cromwell, and the mission at
Rocky Hill. Through the careful management
of the pastor, these charges have
been kept free from any considerable
debt, and he has also been active in
various good works of the community.
He is a member and vice-chairman of the
Cromwell Council of Defense of the War
Bureau, and has been active in promoting
the work of the Knights of Columbus and
Red Cross in behalf of our soldiers at
home and abroad.
Father Laden is not bound by any par-
tisan allegiance in civil affairs, and gives
his vote and influence as his conscience
directs, regardless of any partisan consid-
eration. He is esteemed and respected
by his contemporaries of all classes, and
is doing an excellent work in the field to
which he has been assigned. .
SPENCER, Clayton Robert,
Foundryman.
The Spencer family is one of the oldest
in New England and was long established
in old England. The name is derived
from an occupation, which in early times
was called "dispenser," and like many
surnames was adopted in comparatively
recent times. Michael Spencer was a
landholder in Stotfold, England, and married,
January 25, 1555, Annis Linde. His
second wife, Elizabeth, was the mother of
Garrard (now rendered Tared) Spencer,
who was baptized May 20, 1576. His
youngest son, Garrard, born 1610, was a
landowner in Newtown, now Cambridge,
Massachusetts, in 1634, and four years