John W. Stedman (1820-1896)
John Woodhull Stedman was a printer, educational advocate, and banker who lived and worked in Norwich from 1844 to 1874.
Growing up in Hartford, John was interested in all things associated with printing from an early age. After reading Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography, he decided that he would become a printer.
His plan was set into action at the young age of thirteen, soon after his father’s death. John began working at Philemon Canfield’s printing facility in Hartford. Canfield’s operated the largest press in Hartford in the 1830s. They produced books, children’s stories, and maps.
John’s first job was as a “roller-boy”. The roller-boy’s job was to bring a supply of ink that was rolled onto the printed matter. As time progressed, he performed general work around the office and later, by the age of 16, was promoted to the position of office foreman.
When John W. Stedman moved to Norwich in 1844, he purchased the Aurora newspaper. It took him ten years to pay for the newspaper. When he bought the Aurora it was a failed operation. The previous owners had abandoned the wholly broken down business.
Stedman restored and revived the Aurora through hard work, knowledge, experience and integrity. He published the Aurora for more than twenty years, from 1844-1865. The contents of his weekly newspaper reflected Stedman’s strong Democratic political viewpoints. The published ideas were often in stark contrast with another of Norwich’s newspapers at the time, the Courier, published by John Dunham at that point-in-time.
He also published several books while in Norwich. In 1859 Norwich celebrated its 200th Jubilee. His book, “The Norwich Jubilee – A Report of the Celebration at Norwich, Connecticut on the 200th Anniversary of the Settlement of the Town, September 7th and 8th 1859“ expertly chronicles the activities of the celebration.
In 1860 he began publishing an annual City Directory in Norwich. John Stedman retired from the printing business in 1868, but, the successors of his enterprises continued to publish the directory. An example of one of the directories published is the “Stedman’s Directory of City and Town of Norwich and Preston Connecticut“.
In the spring of 1852 Stedman represented the 3rd Congressional District at the Democratic National Convention. The purpose of the convention was to nominate a Democrat candidate for President and Vice-President of the United States.
During his residence in Norwich, John W. Stedman took a deep interest in the cause of common school education. His vivid recollection of the inadequate educational advantages experienced in his youth had deeply impressed him with the importance of a thorough schooling for the young. He served on the Board of Education in Norwich. For many years, he was annually elected its president and executive officer without opposition.
He was also involved in the banking industry in Connecticut. He served as a bank commissioner of the state in the 1850-1853 time period. Mr. Stedman served as the Norwich’s Postmaster from 1853-1858.
He married Caroline Jameson Stedman in 1844 in Hartford. They had no children.
John Stedman died in 1896 due to a heart condition. He is buried in Hartford.
Acknowledgements
Stedman Families Research Center
The Connecticut Quarterly Magazine, 1896, Volume 2, page 38
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Henry Bill (1824-1891)
Henry Bill, a prominent resident of Norwich, was a book publisher, a State Senator, a bank president and a land developer who laid out and developed the Laurel Hill neighborhood in Norwich.
In 1891 Info Source 1 stated :“Mr. Bill is one of the best products of our old Connecticut institutions, self made, self reliant, strong to execute whatever he plans, a good citizen, a good neighbor and friend, and one who will leave a lasting mark for good upon the community where he has passed the active period of his life.”
Henry, son of Gurdon and Lucy Yerrington Bill, was born in Ledyard and prior to the age of fifteen he led an ordinary life of a farmer’s boy in the summer and attended public school during the winter months. He was for a short time, an apprentice in a printing office in New London. But, not being satisfied with the profession, he abandoned it and engaged in school keeping in the neighboring town of Preston. He then engaged in school teaching in Plainfield and Groton during the winter months and assisted his father on his farm in the summer.
At the age of twenty Henry entered the field as a book salesman. He traveled for three years throughout the Western States in this business. In 1847, having acquired a practical knowledge of the book business, he returned to Norwich and established a subscription book publishing business.
For more than twenty five years he followed this business with great success, employing hundreds of salesmen, in all parts of the country, distributing some of the most useful and popular books of the day. The illustration shown above provides a view of his publishing office in Norwich. Also shown are three pages from an Illustrated Bible that was published by his company.
The Illustrated Bible contained more than 300 illustrations. The illustrations shown above were engraved by French artist, Paul Gustave Christophe Doré in 1866.
The company published beautifully illustrated books such as “An Illustrated History of the Holy Bible”, “The Young People’s Illustrated Bible History”, ”A Pictorial History of the New World”, “Illustrated History of Washington and His Times”, and “The History of the Civil War in America”.
Mr. Bill married Julia O. Chapman of Groton on February 16, 1847. They had five children, however, only three survived infancy.
Their house, built in 1856, is shown on the left.
For more than thirty years he was a vice president of the Chelsea Savings Bank, and for two years was its president. He resigned that office on account of declining health. Since his youth he was a member of the Congregational Church, and since his residence in Norwich was a member of the Broadway Church.
Early construction, near the Shetucket River, consisted of large and handsomely landscaped lots. As part of his promotion of the area, Bill advocated for the construction of a toll-free bridge across the river, and built his own home prominently overlooking the river. The Laurel Hill neighborhood is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Later in life he gave back to community in many ways. In 1893 he donated funds for the original Bill Library Building in Ledyard. That building has been expanded twice, once in 1971 and again in 1982.
Henry Bill and his wife Julia are laid to rest in the Yantic Cemetery.
Acknowledgements
“Illustrated Popular Biography of Connecticut”, pp 65-66, (1891), compiled by J.A. Spalding
“An Illustrated History of the Holy Bible“, (1872), pp 418 & 263, Published by Henry Bill
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Gertrude Haile Lanman (1850-1920)
This Article is Under Construction
Henry Bill, Born: 29 Sept 1850 Norwich CT, Parents: Dr. Ashbel Bradford Haile and Mary
Hall May of Savannah, GA., a family of distinction and wealth.
Gertrude married William Camp Lanman, nephew of Commodore Joseph P.
Lanman, on June 18, 1873 in Norwich, CT.
Her husband, William, was a partner in Lanman & Sevin, druggists in Norwich
CT. Due to poor health, he retired early in life and the couple traveled
internationally spending quite a bit of time in Southern France and rural England. While in Europe Gertrude took a special interest in art and was particularly fascinated by the cathedrals. Following her husband’s death in 1903, she joined the Episcopal Church in Yantic.
Gertrude Haile Lanman grew to become one of the most brilliant leaders of society in Norwich and
one of the wealthiest women in the state of Connecticut; fortunes which she inherited with the passing of her father Dr. Ashbel B. Haile (1880) and an Aunt, Miss Gertrude May of Savana, her name sake. She was also well known in the world of New York’s highest society and was accustomed to spending long visits in exclusive hotels in Manhattan. The Lanman residence located at 218 Washington Street
was the focal point at which Gertrude hosted many lavish events. Called “The Ghlanbouer”, her residence was considered one of the showplaces of Norwich, in which Gertrude entertained with exceptional elegance and grace.
Gertrude held a special concern for the health and wellbeing of all people, especially those in her
native Norwich. It was under the direct influence of Gertrude Lanman who took the initiative to invite
Miss Mable Boardman, National Chairperson for the Red Cross, to come from Washington DC to visit
Norwich and tour her beautiful city. Miss Boardman spent several days getting to meet the people and
see the town while staying at Ghlanbouer, Lanman’s residence. As a result in 1909 the American National Red Cross chose to open a branch office in Norwich. At their first meeting Gertrude Lanman
was elected secretary, an office she held for many years.
Gertrude Lanman’s quality of love for others and desire for service was displayed when she led a
woman’s group to Hartford in order to advocate for the construction of the state tuberculosis
sanatorium before congress. Following a successful vote, several state legislators reported that it was
the influence of the woman’s delegation from Norwich and Mrs. Gertrude Haile Lanman’s persuasive
argument that influenced their vote to locate the sanatorium in Norwich.
Using her wealth and political clout, Gertrude established the Haile Club (1907), a safe place for the
welfare of young employed women, located in a three story building on Main Street in Norwich. The
Haile Club became home for many women. It was a place where they could find housing, food,
receive medical care and counseling. There was a large auditorium where meetings were held.
Gertrude Lanman managed the daily operations of the club and reported a membership of over 500
women under her care, In the late 1800s Suffragette meetings were routinely held at the Haile Club. During the summer months, Gertrude instituted a program where small groups of young women from New York City would come to Norwich to get away for a week and enjoy fresh healthy country air before returning to the city.
Following her husband’s death in 1903 Gertrude became a member of Christ Episcopal Church on
Washington Street. She is said to have given several thousand dollars to establish a Boys Club there.
In 1909 she became a Roman Catholic.
Like many Victorian residences, the Lanman’s had a large greenhouse which held the highest quality
plants and flowers. Gertrude was known for her love of flowers and organized the annual flower show
held at the Norwich Amery. In 1910 her gardener, Charles Beasley, cultivated a new variety of
chrysanthemum. It was a pure white variety which was officially registered under the name Gertrude
H. Lanman chrysanthemum.
Gertrude’s character displayed a remarkable measure of humility which was matched by her
unselfishness. She never complained nor uttered bitter remarks when, years after her husband’s
death, foolish investments made by close friends resulted in agood portion of her wealth to be lost
As the years passed, Gertrude concentrated on living a more simplified spiritual life. In 1909 she
became interested in and joined the Roman Catholic Church. In 1911 she traveled to New York City
to be recelved into the Convent of the Sisters of the Reparation on East 29th Street
In keeping with the Scriptural instruction it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye ofa needle
than a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven; Mrs. Lanman began the process of disposing of her
jewels, art objects and her beautiful residence in Norwich, one of the most beautiful in all Connecticut
She donated $1,000,000 to the Catholic Church. Money from her collection of jewels went to the
Haile Club.
NY Times
Gertrude Haile Lanman has given up her riches to charity, renounced the world in general and social
pleasures in particular, and begun the process of entering a convent by taking her vows as a
Novitiate
“I have tried all the pleasurers that the world has to offer. All are unsatisfying. My happiness
henceforth will lie in following in our Lord’s footsteps and in laboring for others.” Mrs. Lanman said in
parting from one of her dearest friends
But, before Gertrude was able to complete her year of obligations and take her final vows, heart
failure had physically weakened her and she was forced to withdraw from the process. Gertrude was
able to stay with the sisters. Failing to qualify as a nun, Gertrude kept her vow of poverty and toiled as
a common work women to earn enoua prominent resident of Norwich, was a book publisher, a State Senator, a bae in New London. But, not being satisfied with the profession, he abandoned it and engaged in school keeping in the neighboring town of Preston. He then engaged in school teaching in Plainfield and Groton during the winter months and assisted his father on his farm in the summer.
At the age of twenty Henry entered the field as a book salesman. He traveled for three years throughout the Western States in this business. In 1847, having acquired a practical knowledge of the book business, he returned to Norwich and established a subscription book publishing business.
For more than twenty five years he followed this business with great success, employing hundreds of salesmen, in all parts of the country, distributing some of the most useful and popular books of the day. The illustration shown above provides a view of his publishing office in Norwich. Also shown are three pages from an Illustrated Bible that was published by his company.
The Illustrated Bible contained more than 300 illustrations. The illustrations shown above were engraved by French artist, Paul Gustave Christophe Doré in 1866.
The company published beautifully illustrated books such as “An Illustrated History of the Holy Bible”, “The Young People’s Illustrated Bible History”, ”A Pictorial History of the New World”, “Illustrated History of Washington and His Times”, and “The History of the Civil War in America”.
Acknowledgements
“Illustrated Popular Biography of Connecticut”, pp 65-66, (1891), compiled by J.A. Spalding
“An Illustrated History of the Holy Bible“, (1872), pp 418 & 263, Published by Henry Bill
FindAGrave.com
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “Henry Bill” in the SEARCH box.