Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

tahlished a similar business in New Lon-
don, Connecticut, in partnership with a
fellow worker. At the request of his
uncle, this company was merged into the
Babcock Printing Press Manufacturing
Company, New London, and thenceforth
he devoted his energies to the manufac-
ture and improvement of the printing
press invented by his uncle. He was
originally assistant treasurer and super-
intendent of the factory, and for the last
fifteen years of his life was president and
treasurer. He made many valuable in-
ventions, receiving some sixty-seven pat-
ents between 1882 and 1915, the most im-
portant being for eccentric roller sockets ;
adjustable diameter plunger head; spiral
slider controller; printed side up delivery;
bell and socket joint; telescoping delivery
slide rods and detachable carriage con-
nection ; ball roll on end of star gear
rack ; spiral table roll drive, and roller
throw off. Aside from his manufacturing
activities, he was for years a director in
the National Bank of Commerce, New
London. He was a member of the ex-
ecutive board of the Associated Charities
of New London, and of All Souls' Church
(Unitarian-Universalist), New London,
being for eighteen years president of the
board of trustees of the latter. His dom-
inating personal characteristic was a busi-
ness integrity that squared with perfectly
fair and honest dealings with individuals.
He was a man of untiring industry ; was
public-spirited, generous, a lover of home
and family, of keen intellect, and withal
had a great capacity for friendship. Fond
of good literature from his earliest years,
he possessed a retentive memory and the
ability to talk entertainingly; was a genial
host and a welcome addition to any
company.
Mr. Fenner was married at Hanover,
Connecticut, July 7, 1887, to Annie Cut-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
272
ler, daughter of Norman Smith and his
wife, Sarah Adeline (Cutler) Smith, who
were married November 15, 1849; ^ r -
Smith, a merchant and farmer of Han-
over. Mr. Fenner was survived by his
wife and one daughter, Mildred Lucile,
wife of Walter L. Douglass. He died at
New London, Connecticut,- October 21,
i9!5-
ALDEN, Hannibal,
Manufacturer.
It is safe to say that there is perhaps
no other name of the "Mayflower" Pilgrims
more widely known than that of
John Alden. And, in the poem by Long-
fellow, "The Courtship of Myles Stan-
dish," the reader gains an insight into
the character and personal qualities of
the man. It is therefore with a feeling of
pardonable pride that one claims descent
from this worthy Pilgrim, and Hannibal
Alden, the subject of this sketch, is a
lineal descendant in the ninth generation.
John Alden was born about 1599. prob-
ably in England, and was a signer of the
"Compact" on board the "Mayflower,"
November 21, 1620. It is related that he
joined the Pilgrims through a spirit
of adventure, and as we learn from
the poem, above mentioned, Priscilla
Mullins delayed his return. He nobly
shared his part in the important affairs
of the town and held several offices.
For forty-three years he was gov-
ernor's assistant ; at different times served
as assistant and deputy governor ;
for
thirteen years was treasurer of the col-
member
ony ; eight years deputy to the General
Court ;
of the Council of War of
the colony for eight years. He removed
from Plymouth to Duxbury in company
with Captain Standish, and the house
which he built there is now in the posses-