Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

popularly known as the "New Haven
Blues." Mr. Schlichting was slightly
wounded in the ankle, but as he refused to
go to a hospital the wound did not receive
official recognition. As an able business
man, a brave soldier and a good citizen,
Mr. Schlichting is a man who would be
a valuable acquisition to any community.
ERSKINE, Ralph Child,
Furniture Manufacturer.
The mental and spiritual qualities
which first impelled the American pioneers
to build a new civilization were
neither changed by the untoward condi-
tions which they met, nor lost in the long
struggle which conquered these condi-
tions. From generation to generation
were handed down, along with the pa-
trician features and gentle manners, the
lofty ideals and artistic tastes which are
now finding expression in the everyday
life of the Nation. This trend has broad-
ened out to include the manual, as well
as the fine arts, and in this fact is found
the source of that culture which has become
the distinguishing characteristic of
the present day American, child and man.
A noteworthy instance of this significant
development is that of Ralph Child Er-
skine, of Stamford, Connecticut, who has
built an important industry on the com-
bining of art and utility.
According to Harrison, an eminent au-
thority on the derivation of names, the
surname of Erskine is of Celtic origin,
first being Iriskine, subsequently Erskin.
The meaning of many names is lost in the
mists of antiquity, but it is clear from
ancient records that the name of Erskine
signifies literally "height of the cleft." It
belongs to the class of surnames known as
"local."
(I) Christopher Erskin came from Ire-
Ireland, and settled near Boston, Massa-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
264
chusetts. He died April 19, 1775, at the
age of seventy-five years. He married, in
1729, Susannah Robinson, daughter of
Gaius Robinson ; she died August 19,
1787.
(II) John Erskine, son of Christopher
and Susannah (Robinson) Erskin, was
born in 1732. It was in this generation
that the use of the final "e" was begun in
writing the name.
(III) John (2) Erskine, son of John
(1) Erskine, was born in 1752, and lived in
Winchester, New Hampshire. He won
his rank in the Revolutionary war, where,
among the flower of the sturdy pioneer
youth, he helped lay the foundations of
the Republic which has now taken the
lead among the nations of the world.
(IV) Walter Erskine, youngest son of
Lieutenant John (2) Erskine, was born
May 8, 1795. He married, May 16, 1816,
Margaret Bowen, born May 15, 1802,
daughter of Zephaniah Bowen. Her
grandfather was Thomas Bowen, formerly
a resident of Warren, Rhode Island.
He left that section in 1767, and
married Penelope Aldrich, of Northbridge,
Massachusetts, who was born
November 26, 1748, daughter of John and
Mary Aldrich. Thomas Bowen died July
12, 1834, and his wife June 10, 1825. His
son, Zephaniah Bowen, was born October
10, 1776, in Richmond, New Hampshire,
and died June 4, 1851. He married, February
25, 1798, Martha Alden, daughter
of Moses Alden, Sr. She died October 10,
1854. Their daughter, Margaret, became
the wife of Walter Erskine, as above
noted.
(V) Massina Bertier Erskine, son of
Walter and Margaret (Bowen) Erskine,
was born December 19, 1819, and died in
1893, in Royalston, Worcester county,
Massachusetts. From infancy until he
was fifteen years of age he lived in
Richmond, New Hampshire. From there