Lucia Tappan Coffin

Lucia married Edwin Theodore Chase on 14 Jun 1841. Edwin (son of William Frederic Chase and Anna Wiley) was born on 20 Oct 1823 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; died on 15 May 1886 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FindaGrave ID: 21109912
• Education: 1878; Central High School of Philadelphia
• Occupation: Between 1878 and 1884, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Accountant
• Honours: 1935; Rollins Decoration of Honor

Notes:

Joshua Coffin Chase was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, on September 23, 1858, to Edwin T. Chase and Lucia Coffin Chase. He attended Philadelphia Central High School and graduated in 1878. He then began working in Philadelphia, and later New York City, as an accountant and as a salesman.

In 1884 his brother Sydney successfully urged Chase to move to Sanford, Florida. Together they started the business Chase & Co., where they sold fire insurance and fertilizer. As the company expanded, Joshua and his brother began to acquire citrus groves. They set out to grow, process and market their own produce and experienced great success in this venture. Together the brothers began to acquire citrus packinghouses around the region.

On February 24, 1892, Joshua married Sarah Jane Whitner of Fort Reed, Florida. Together they had two children, Franklin and John Chase. The year 1894 proved to be a very bad year for Joshua: he suffered the death of his wife and the widespread destruction of his citrus groves during the severe frosts of 1894 and 1895. Chase & Co. suffered great losses in all facets of their enterprises. Like most growers, the Chase brothers turned to the cultivation of celery while their groves recovered.

While his brother continued to revive their business, Joshua moved to California to become the manager of the Earl Fruit Company. Later, he moved to St. Louis to manage United Fruit Company. While working with the fruit and vegetable industries in other states, he learned new ways of managing Florida citrus.

By 1904, the citrus industry in Florida had recovered, and Joshua moved back to Florida to establish a branch office of Chase & Co. in Jacksonville. He also undertook a restructuring of Chase & Co. to make their business more efficient. On May 24, 1904 he married Mary Justice Lee of Philadelphia. Together they would have one daughter, Cecelia Justice Chase.

From his new office in Jacksonville, Chase became highly involved in the sales and shipping of fruit and vegetables across the state. The brothers became very involved with railroads, with Sydney developing new rail-lines to help with the transportation of citrus. Among Joshua's greatest achievements is the effort he put into reducing freight rates on Florida fruits and vegetables. He is recognized as being the first to actively work at reducing the freight rates. His efforts culminated in the Interstate Commerce Commission's decision to force lower freight rates on Florida produce in 1907. During World War I Joshua was selected to be the Jacksonville Manager of the Hoover European Relief Campaign, designed to send aide to a war ravaged Europe.

The 1920's saw Chase & Co. facing conflicts with the newly formed Florida Citrus Exchange. Despite the disagreements between the two organizations, Joshua became the president of the exchange in 1930 and 1931.

Later in his life, Joshua and his wife moved to Winter Park, Florida, establishing themselves in an area that became known as "Millionaire's Row." He also became highly involved in philanthropic efforts, joining with his brother to become major supporters of Rollins College. Joshua also supported the Florida Historical Society, of which he was later president. He was also a president of the Southern Historical Association and served as the director for the Children's Home Society of Florida. Both Joshua and Sydney were made Honorary Members of the Florida State Horticultural Society in 1939.

After the death of his brother in 1941, Joshua continued to run Chase & Co. until his passing in 1949. Chase & Co. was well-known for never failing to make their payroll for fifty-six years, a fact which was largely attributable to Joshua Chase's talents as an accountant. Chase & Co. is still in operation today under the name of Sunniland, although the Chase family is no longer involved.

Rebecca Meyer

www.floridacitrushalloffame.com

Joshua married Sarah Jane Whitner on 24 Feb 1892 in Florida, USA. Sarah (daughter of Benjamin Franklin Whitner and Elizabeth Eppes Randolph) was born on 24 Sep 1870; died on 25 Mar 1894 in Sanford, Seminole, Florida, USA; was buried in Sanford, Seminole, Florida, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joshua married Mary Cook Justice on 24 May 1904 in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Mary (daughter of William Wirt Justice and Eliza Townsend Mifflin) was born on 22 Dec 1867 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; died on 28 Jun 1949. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Sydney Chase Sr. was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania on August 4, 1860. He was the eighth child of Edwin T. Chase and Lucia Coffin Chase. He attended Philadelphia Central High School, but left before graduating because he had a very shy disposition. His first career ambition was to be a sheep rancher out west. He was living in Philadelphia when the Florida citrus industry boomed and newspapers and magazines began carrying stories of great fortunes to be made in citrus. After reading just such an article in Scribner's Magazine, Chase decided to move to Florida in 1878. Arriving first in Sanford, Chase worked for Henry M. Sanford, owner of Belair Groves and Experimental Gardens, where he learned as much as he possibly could about the cultivation of citrus.

In 1884 Chase's brother Joshua Coffin Chase joined him in Florida to launch Chase & Co. The company offered fire insurance and fertilizer to growers, and in 1886 the brothers purchased several citrus groves and began selling their produce themselves. They were so successful that other citrus growers in the area approached them to help sell their produce too. The building of packinghouses followed. Sydney took many trips abroad marketing citrus products. His interest in building railroads in the state led him to explore possible usage of the Everglades. This led him on an exploratory expedition of the Everglades with a group led by Alonzo Church in 1892.

The severe freezes of 1894-1895 hit all of Florida hard; the Chase brothers were no exception. Due to the damage to groves around the state, growers were not able to pay premiums on Chase & Co. loans, and the demand for fertilizer plummeted. The Chase brothers then turned to the cultivation of celery to provide income, becoming the first large-scale producers of celery.

After Sydney's brother moved to California, he began to explore other businesses, including railroads, phosphate mining and banking, all under the umbrella of Chase & Co. In 1904, Joshua returned to Florida, and the brothers began to rebuild their citrus industry, buying groves and building a fertilizer plant to support their own needs.

The brothers are also credited with the discovery of an island located between two lakes in Orlando. The discovery of this island, covered with over 1,300 citrus trees, added a large grove to the Chase's collection. The island was named 'Isleworth' after a comment by Samuel's father-in-law. Today, it has become a popular golf resort.

As the citrus industry revived, the Chase brother's acquired more land to grow citrus; they also bought additional packinghouses and built a farming supply store. As Chase & Co. flourished, Sanford became a major citrus growing location as well as the largest orange shipping point in the state.

Sydney Chase and his brother were very protective of their industry and initially refused to join the newly formed Florida Citrus Exchange, fearing they would give up too much control of their business. After several years of negotiation with C.C. Commander, Chase & Co. joined the Florida Citrus Exchange under a complex agreement. But conflict between the Chase brothers and Florida Citrus Mutual resulted in the brothers leaving the Exchange three years later.

Eventually the Chase brothers sold their insurance business, as well as most of their citrus-related enterprises. By 1928 the main focus of Chase & Co. was in the fertilizer industry. The Florida population boom of the 1930's and 1940's allowed Chase & Co. the opportunity to take a new direction. The focus of their business shifted to residential garden and building supplies.

Apart from his business ventures, Sydney Chase found the time to become highly involved in his community. With his brother Joshua, they became major contributors to the building of Rollins College in Winter Park as well as to the Florida Historical Society. In their communities, they were known as civic leaders and philanthropists.

Sydney Chase died in 1941, leaving Chase & Co. in the hands of his brother and other associates. His sons, Sydney Chase Jr., Randall Chase and Frank Chase all followed the influences of their father, joining the citrus industry. Chase & Co. still exists today under the name of Sunniland, although the Chase family is no longer involved in the business.

Rebecca Meyer

www.floridacitrushalloffame.com

Sydney married Laura Whitner on 22 Oct 1895 in Florida, USA. Laura (daughter of Benjamin Franklin Whitner and Elizabeth Eppes Randolph) was born on 22 Oct 1872 in Madison, Madison, Florida, USA; died on 3 Jun 1940 in Sanford, Seminole, Florida, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FindaGrave ID: 21109913

Other Events and Attributes:

• FindaGrave ID: 21109915

Other Events and Attributes:

• FindaGrave ID: 16198150

Cecilia married Ralph Chesick Lasbury, Jnr. on 2 Nov 1929 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Ralph (son of Ralph Chesick Lasbury, Snr. and Eloise Jane Thrall) was born on 4 Sep 1906 in East Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; died on 18 Mar 1979 in Winter Park, Orange, Florida, USA; was buried in South Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Winter Park, Orange, Florida, USA

Notes:

Died:
CAMDEN - Ralph Chase Lasbury was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many. He passed away on January 17, 2022 with family by his side at the age of 91, although Chase would tell you he was in his 92nd year.
He was born to Ralph Chesick Lasbury and Cecilia Chase Lasbury in Hartford, Connecticut on June 6, 1930. After graduating from Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts, he attended Colby College in Waterville. It was at Colby that Chase met his beloved wife, Sally Nan Lasbury. Nan and Chase were married in Tarrytown, New York on July 12, 1952.

Chase had a long and successful career with Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance and retired as a general agent of the company in Rochester, New York. Through his job at Northwestern, he and his family lived many places across the United States including, Hartford and Wilton, Connecticut, Milwaukie, Wisconsin, Rochester, New York, and Winter Park, Florida, finally settling in Camden in 1993, where his grandparents had established a foothold back in 1896. Chase also served as president of Chase Groves Incorporated, a family orange grove and real estate business from 1985-2013. He enjoyed being a grove owner often taking family to visit the oranges and bounce around in his car through the orange trees.

Chase loved being active and particularly enjoyed playing tennis, golf, skiing, boating and hiking. He loved the time he had with family and friends often regaling all with tales of family and local history. Chase seemed to know a little bit of everything about everyone and every place. He couldn't walk into Megunticook Market, Mariner's Restaurant, Rotary, Megunticook Golf Club, Watershed Association, or the transfer station without meeting a person he knew or making a new friend. He'd always stop and share a story and a laugh with all he met. Chase had a passion for people and one could understand this by the way he listened (as best as his hearing allowed) and spoke intently to everyone he met.

Chase and Nan shared many passions. They had such a competitive nature on the tennis court and the golf course that they were much better suited as opponents rather than partners. However, in life they were nothing but partners to one another through thick and thin. Chase and Nan were married 68 years, argued daily and loved dearly.

In January 2021, Chase lost the love of his life. Since Nan's passing Chase blessed his family and friends with 322 bonus days and spent them having meals with family and friends, attending his grandson's every lacrosse game across the state of Maine, and enjoying a final summer by the lake with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be severely missed.

Chase is survived by his daughters, Debbie, Shauna and Becky; grandchildren, Kimberly (Evan), Alisha, Emilee, Willy and Theo; great grandchildren: Joshua, Mckaylah, Serenity, Harrison and Justus; son-in-law Chris Cummings; extra daughter Mary Clewet; his faithful companion Munchkin who curled up in his lap until the end; his sister, Abigail Lasbury Fitzgerald; and too many nieces and nephews to list.

He was predeceased by daughter Paige, and son, Ricky. His family takes great comfort in the thought of his homecoming with his beloved Nan, and children Ricky and Paige.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Megunticook Watershed Association, PO Box 443, Camden, ME 04843.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com . Arrangement are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.

https://www.penbaypilot.com/article/ralph-c-lasbury-obituary/156253

Ralph married Sally Murray on 12 Jul 1952 in Tarrytown, Westchester, New York, USA. Sally (daughter of Howard L. Murray and Margaret E. Smith) was born on 15 Oct 1931 in Toledo, Lucas, Ohio, USA; died on 28 Jan 2021 in Camden, Knox, Maine, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FindaGrave ID: 32256083

Notes:

Died:
Cecilia L. Johnson
By Laite Funeral Home

CAMDEN (Dec 27): Cecilia "Cela" Lasbury Johnson, 75, of Winterpark, FL and a life-long summer resident of Camden, died Friday, Dec. 15, 2006 at the Anderson Inn in Camden surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Rockland, ME on Aug. 30, 1931, she was the daughter of Ralph C. and Cecilia (Chase) Lasbury and the granddaughter of Joshua C. and Mary Justice (Lee) Chase. Cecilia graduated from Milton Academy in Milton, MA and attended Colby College in Waterville, ME and Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI. Cecilia was a former board member of Chase Groves (now Isleworth) in Windemere, FL and former board member of the Cornell Fine Art Museum in Winter Park, FL. She was also a member of the Megunticook Golf Club in Rockport and a member of the Interlachen Country Club in Winter Park, FL. Cecilia was a talented water colorist, gardener and antique enthusiast. She was also an avid tennis player and enjoyed playing bridge. Cecilia will always be appreciated for her great wit and unfailing sense of humor. Her family will remember her as a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Surviving are her three children, Dan Johnson of Merritt Island, FL; Joshua Johnson of Cape Haze, FL; and daughter Neall Johnson and her husband, Steve, of Wilmot, NH; five grandchildren, Matthew Gorevan; Hannah Johnson; Samuel Johnson, Cory Johnson and Chase Johnson; one sister, Abigail Fitzgerald of Camden, ME; two brothers, R. Chase Lasbury of Camden & Winter Park, FL; Joshua "Jock" Lasbury of Camden; 10 nieces and nephews; and her former husband of 32 years, Richard A. Johnson of Merritt Island, FL. She was predeceased by her beloved brother, Benjamin Lee Lasbury.

The family suggests memorial donations be made in her memory to Kno-Wal-Lin Hospice, 170 Pleasant Street, Rockland, ME 04841 or to the P.K. Yonge Library of Florida History, Special Collections, Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

A Memorial Service will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007 at the Knowles Chapel at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL. A Memorial Gathering will be held in Camden, ME June 30th 2007 and announced during the early summer of 2007.
Arrangements are with the Laite Funeral Home, 9 Mountain Street, Camden, ME 04843.

http://waldo.villagesoup.com/Print/Print.cfm?StoryID=84228

Family/Spouse: Richard Allen Johnson. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FindaGrave ID: 178462711
• Residence: Camden, Maine, USA; Address:
  Beaucaire Ave, Camden, Maine, USA

Notes:

Died:
CAMDEN - Joshua Coffin Lasbury, 77, died Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, after a brief illness at Pen Bay Medical Center. He was born Aug. 17, 1934, in Hartford, Conn., son of Ralph Cherokee and Cecelia Chase Lasbury.

He attended Kingswood School and Hebron Academy, and University of Connecticut. From 1954 to 1958, he served in the U.S. Army, and was employed for many years in sales at various manufacturing companies from 1960 to 1984, including Clapp & Treat, West Hartford, Conn. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gun collecting.

Surviving are his four children, Ashley A. Lasbury of Portland, Amelia L. Bittner and her husband, Daniel, Victoria L. Lasbury and her husband, Jamie R. Bloomquist, and Jessica C. Wheeler and her husband, Adam, all of Camden; sister, Abigail Fitzgerald and her husband, John, of Camden; brother, R. Chase Lasbury and his wife, Nan, of Winter Park, Fla.; 10 grandchildren, Cate, Nick, Samantha, Eleanor, Joshua, Margaret, Mason, Leah, Gabriel and Evelyn; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; daughter, Katherine Lasbury; sister, Cela Johnson; and brother, Benjamin L. Lasbury.

A memorial gathering was held Oct. 10. Interment will be private and held at the convenience of the family. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Bob Gagnon Cancer Center, care of Pen Bay Medical Center, 22 White St., Rockland, ME 04841. Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain St., Camden.

Family/Spouse: Evelyn Elizabeth Cate. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FindaGrave ID: 16281025
• Occupation: 6 May 1956, East Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Student
• Residence: 6 May 1956, East Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Address:
  584 Station Hill, East Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA

Family/Spouse: John Coburn, Jnr.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: John S. Fitzgerald. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]