WILLIAM HARRIS BENTLEY, the
second son of William and Hannah (Harris) Bentley, was born in New London,
Conn., July 6, 1833. His father was descended from William Bentley, who
came from Scotland in 1716. His mother was a lineal descendant of Governor
William Bradford (1620) and Walter Harris, one of the first white settlers
in the present town of New London. She grew up in the Blinman house, one
of the houses which stood through the burning of New London in the Revolutionary
War, and which is still in possession of her daughter, the street on which
it is situated being named for the Rev. John Blinman, who built the house.
Mr. Bentley's father received injuries from a severe fall on his vessel,
which deprived him of his eyesight; and he was obliged to abandon seafaring
life. As New London was then in the height of its prosperity owing to its
whaling interests, he established a teaming business.
William H. Bentley, on coming of age, succeeded
his father; and, as the demands of the business increased with the growth
of the city, he added a wholesale and retail ice business at 24 State Street,
wharfage at Howard Street, and a storage department and stables on Truman
Street, all of which he still carries on. His residence is on Vauxhall
Street. He became a member of the Second Congregational Sunday-school in
1839, of which he is still a member, together with his three sons. He joined
the Niagara Engine Company, No. 1, in 1848, filling all positions in the
company, from volunteer to chief engineer of the fire department of New
London. He was one of the organizers of the Veteran Fireman Association,
of which he is now first vice-president. November 20, 1856, he married
Miss Frances Leech, of Norwich, who died January 28, 1874. He enlisted
in the Twenty-sixth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers; and on formation
of the company he was elected Captain, and served with them during their
enlistment, being in the siege of Port Hudson forty-two days, and having
the entire charge of the regiment fifteen days. On his return he was unable
to attend to business for a year, his health having been impaired from
the exposure and hardships endured while in Louisiana. He has been a member
of the Grand Army since its first formation in New London, filling its
various offices, being appointed February 27, 1890, Aide-de-camp to General
R. A. Alger, and appointed March 19, 1891, Aide-de-camp to General W. G.
Vesey. He joined the Union Lodge, F. & A. M., in 1866, and is now Past
Eminent Commander of Palestine Commandery, No. 6, K. T. He was elected
Selectman for the town of New London, serving in 1869-72. Subsequent to
the re-formation of the Third Regiment, C. N. G., in 1871, he was elected
First Lieutenant of Company D (in 1873); promoted to Captain in 1881; promoted
to Major, receiving sword, straps, and all insignia of the office from
members of Company D in 1882; promoted to Lieutenant Colonel; and honorably
discharged June 30, 1886. He was a member of the State legislature in 1883,
and served on the Military Committee. He was a charter member of the A.
O. U. W., being the first Master Workman. He was a charter member of the
Royal Arcanum. The New London Board of Trade was formed in 1885, and he
was its president in 1886. He has served the city twenty-one years as Councilman
and Alderman. October 25, 1877, he married for his second wife Miss Charlotte
Bingham, of Norwich, by whom he has four sons — George Bingham, William
Harris, Julian Bingham, and Frank.
George graduated from the Bulkeley School
in the class of 1897; William is a student at Bulkeley, in the class of
1898; Julian is now deceased; Frank is a student at the Robert Bartlet
Biographical Review Volume
XXVI
Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens
of New London County Connecticut
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1898
pgs 220 - 225
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