New Britain herald., 1919-12-31
WILLIAM H. GLADDEN.
 DIES AT AGE OF Y
Was Direct Lineal Descendant Of
 First Settler Of City
FOUGHT IN CIVIL WAR
Also Served for Half Century As Superintendent at F'airview Ceme- tery, Which Was Laid Out by His Father-FtIneraI Friday Afternoon


 Father-FuneraI Friday Afternoon. William H. Gladden., veteran of the CIVIL War, and a direct descendant of
 Col Isaac Lee, the first settler of New Britain, died this morning at his nome at 67 Gladden. street. He was prominent in city affairs for half a century through his connections with the Fairview cemetery as superin- tendent, but never took an active in terest in party politics. The deceased was born in New Britain in 1S42 and was " years of age.
 Father Laid Out Cemetery. Mr. Gladden. was the son of William Henry Gladden. and Elvira Hills Glad den. His father was connected with the Fairview cemetery, in a post sim liar to that held by himself in late years. The elder MT. Gladden. was Tn charge for more than 50 years previous to his sons taking charge. The superintendency of the cemetery was in the Gladden. family for we'll over a century. When but a young boy in his teens, MT. Gladden. assist ed his father in his work about the graveyard, acting both in a clerical capacity and as assistant caretaker. His father having originally laid out the cemetery for the Town of New Britain, MT. Gladden. was more than ordinarily interested in the conduct of the place. Civil War Volunteer. While engaged in his work at the cemetery, news of the impending strife between the states of the North and the South reached the ears of young Gladden., then 20 years of age, and assisted by several other patriotic young residents of this city he or- ganized 8 volunteer group to offer it's services for the army He was chosen captain of the outfit and was assisted by John and Frank Stanley, both of this city, who were sub- = cers. The boys offered to serve in the Union, army and were mustered into federal service in 1S62
 striclsen With Fever. Accom- panied by his brother, Charles l Gladden., the local man went to camp i and was trained for service in a southern camp. Soon after the broth- CTS reached the South they were sent 1 to the Mississippi valley for further 1 intensive training and while there Will l liam was taken with a fever brought
  was taken to the hospital where he remained during practically the entire war. Official records show that on the eve of one of the wars biggest skirmishes William Gladden. made an attempt to leave his cot in the army 1 hospital and follow his brother, Charles, into the battle. His attempt 1 was frustrated and he was brought back to the hospital. In the conflict 1 that followed, Charles was fatally ] wounded, dying soon afterward, An l opportunity was later presented Will ] liam to be of service for scout duty and several other missions upon which he was sent were well executed. Past Commander of G. A. K. 1 At the close of the war, the unit | in which the local man served-the 1 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry was mustered out of service. MT. ] Gladden. returned to this city and I again took up the work of assistant superintendent of Fairview cemetery. l At the same time he became affiliated l with the Grand Army and was elected ! to membership in Stanley Post here. 1 His popularity among the ex-service 1 men caused him to be elevated soon l to the office of commander of that 1 post, holding the position for one term. He took an active interest in ! the affairs of that organization.
 Was Prominent Soloist.
 Upon the death of his father half /; a century ago, he became superin- 1 tendent of the cemetery and under 1 his supervision the place was well l cared for. About the same time he 1 became prominent throughout the l state as a tenor soloist, and many of 1 the older residents of the city can 1 recall the days when he sang in St. 1 Marks Episcopal church, the South l Congreg egatonal church and the First Congregational church. In the latter l church at Sunday services his father l played tromb bone solos, his mother ] sang soprano solos and he took part { in the program by rendering tenor | solos, He also was a soloist in the l Center and South Baptist churches in 1 Hartford. Even after he discontin- l ued public singing he took a keen in- 1 terest in music. His connections with the First Congregational church cov- 1 cred a period of more than half a | century, He was active in church affairs, acting for many years as a ! member of the music committee and 1 serving on other church groups.
 l The street upon which he made his { home was named Gladden. street in 1 his honor. It was formerly part of l an apple orchard conducted by the l father of the deceased.
 1 Leaves Four Children.
 His fraternal connections ,wcre
 with the Grand Army, Sons of the 1 American Revolution and Centennial 1 lodge of Masons He is survived by 1 four children-Mrs. Algernon Brown Alderson, of West Hartford Mrs 1 (Continued on Sixth Page)