USA > Connecticut > Biographical encyclopaedia of Connecticut and Rhode Island of the nineteenth century > Part 30
USA > Rhode Island > Biographical encyclopaedia of Connecticut and Rhode Island of the nineteenth century > Part 30
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He cultivated close personal acquaintance with his scholars, and often invited them to his house in the city. " Refreshments werc prepared for them; and there was an opportunity of closer personal acquaintance than would be possible at the school. Then there would be a summer sail up the river for a picnic gathering in the woods above and a New Year's assembling in the chapel for pleasant social exercises, not distinctly religious, whereby the scholars and their teachers might come to know each other and their superintendent more familiarly. To promote the pur- pose of these gatherings, an 'Agreeable Committee' was formed, to see that all were acquainted, and had a good time together." Genial and hearty, Mr. Haven's nature showed itself to advantage in these gatherings. He could laugh right merrily when there was a chance for a good laugh. His aim in all thesc entertainments was to promote the spiritual good of his guests. Hc valucd organization and co-work for the culture and development of Christian graces, and, as early as 1842, formed a " Religious Class"-whose plan was not unlike that of the Methodist class-meeting- in connection with his little Waterford school. Twenty-five years later a similar class was formed by him in his New London school. Most gratifying results fol_ lowed in each case. The young ladics of his school werc also organized into the " Schauffler Missionary Society," as auxiliary to the Woman's Board of Missions at
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Boston. The best and most efficient secretaries obtainable were employed in both his schools, and did their work well, and in business-like manner. Records of all the pupils and teachers were preserved with scrupulous care. "The annual report" of his New London school "for 1865, reviewed the connection of the school with the struggle to maintain the national authority, and gave a list of its sixty-six mem- bers who were in the army or navy during the war-including two colonels, one major, one chaplain, seven captains, seven lieutenants, in the army, and ten officers or men in the navy-together with a personal sketch of each one who had fallen in defence of his country." That, certainly, was a record of which any school in the world might be justifiably proud.
Henry P. Haven was no less successful as a business man than as a Sunday- school superintendent. He was "not slothful in business," while "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." "R. G. Pardee used to say that a Christian railroad superin- tendent could usually superintend a Sunday-school satisfactorily ; for similar quali- fications are needed in the two sphcres. It is unmistakably truc that in our cities and larger towns throughout the country, the most efficient Sunday-school superintendents include in their number some of the leading merchants, manufac- turers, bankers, insurance officers, and railroad men of their several communities."
Strong, zealous, ambitious, persistent, young Haven, under God, commanded business success in early life, and never lost his mastery of circumstances to the close of his noble and useful course. The very carefulness of his thought for the prosperity of his schools and the salvation of his pupils, the adaptation of means to ends in order to compass his object, the fertility of expedients it cultivated ; the wonderful measure of permanent success with which he was rewarded; the refreshing change these philanthropic exercises gave to his faculties ;- all conspired to strengthen his powers of mind and body for secular business, and to make him one of the most eminent merchants of his time and country. The special business of Major Williams's shipping house, in which he began his career as a clerk, was the whale and seal fishery ; a business which developes the highest qualities of manhood, and the first business in which Americans commanded the admiration of Edmund Burke and of the mother country for their enterprise and daring.
When twenty-three years old "Mr. Haven began business for himself as the hcad of the firm of Haven & Smith ; his former employer, Major Williams, being a silent member of the firm during the terms of his service in Congress. In 1846, Mr. Williams resumed his place in the business, and the firm was Williams & Haven. Other partners came in later, and the firm became Williams, Haven & Co. For thirty-five years, however, Mr. Haven was the directing and
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managing hcad of the house. In that time he sent out more than two hun- dred vessels, large and small, in pursuit of whales and seals, and sea-elephants. When whales grew scarce in the Southern oceans, he was a fresh pioneer in the Greenland fisheries. He was earliest in sealing and elephanting on South Georgia Island, east of Cape Horn. He was first in the experiment of a steam whaler ; and again, of a steam sealing vessel. He was always sagacious and enterprising, and on the watch for new ventures and new methods of winning success in his business. A voyage made by one of his steam-whalers in 1864-5, is said to have been "the best ever made by an American . whaler." The entire cost of the vessel with her outfits was $35,800. She was gone a little more than fifteen months, returning with a cargo of oil and bone, valued, at market prices, at $150,000.
In May, 1838, Haven and Smith sent out the bark Chelsea, with a schooner for her tender, to Kerguelen's Land, for the oil of the sea-elephants abounding there. She was followed by many other vessels, sent out under Mr. Haven's management. Together, in the course of thirty-five years, they brought into port oil valued at $3,000,000. Another branch of ocean trade prosecuted by his firm was that of bringing guano from islands near the equator in the western Pacific Ocean. In this also they displayed the same qualities of foresight, wisdom, energy, and daring, and were rewarded with marvellous success. Large outlay, great rist, and peculiar administrative ability were all involved in this special business.
When, in 1867, negotiations were in progress for the purchase of Alaska, Mr. Haven corresponded with Secretary Seward to learn if citizens of the United States would be free to hunt seal in that Territory when its transfer was completed. Receiv- ing an affirmative reply, he dispatched his active partner, Mr. R. H. Chapell, thither ; and there they effected the first landing after the purchase, and raiscd the first American flag. As a result of their venture they soon had 45,000 seal skins for shipment to England, according to the orders of Mr. Haven. Scnator Dawes, of Massachusetts, admiringly remarked, "that it was one of the brightest business move- ments he had ever known."
" After a while a combination was formed between the shipowners, East and West, and a leasc, dated August 3d, 1870, was obtained by them from the United States Government, of St. Paul's and St. George's islands, with the exclusive right of seal-catching there, under certain restrictions. Mr. Haven was active in securing this lease; and he was a leading man in the councils of the new company from its organization until his death. The revenue to the Government from this company is more than $300,000 per annum. The company provides the native Aleutians, cm- ployed in the scal fishery, with houscs and with schools, free of charge, and with
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all articles of necessity at San Francisco market rates. It also, by terms of its charter, protects them from the curse of intoxicating liquors.
" With all else that he had to do Mr. Haven found time to show his hearty sympathy with the various scientific explorations of the Northern seas during the last twenty years of his life, and to render substantial assistance to some of the adventurous spirits who engaged so chivalrously in the search for the remains of Sir John Franklin's expedition." To Captain Hall, particularly, he generously tendered a free passage to the Arctic seas in their bark, the George Henry, to which was attached as tender the famous Rescue, which had been consort to the Advance, in IS50-I, in the De Haven Aretie expedition. In 1864 Captain Hall again sailed for the same regions in Mr. Haven's vessel, the Monticello. Captains Buddington and Tyson, first mate Hubbard C. Chester, and the Esquimaux " Joe," of Polaris fame, were all men who had seen service in Mr. Haven's whaling vessels, and were with the gallant Hall when he lost his life. It was a standing order of Williams and Haven to their whaling captains to take up and set down the Arctic explo- rers at any point desired by them and to supply them freely with whatever stores they needed.
The ocean business of Mr. Haven extended to almost every sea. The loss of vessels did not seem to disturb, nor their success to elate him unduly. Successful in the management of his own affairs, he was often urged to administer in the business interests of others, and especially in the settlement of great bankrupt estates. “In 1860 he was chosen President of the New London Northern Railroad Company, at a time when the affairs of that corporation seemed to require the undivided ener- gies of a superior mind. He took the place, and for nearly six years filled it with eminent ability. He was an original corporator of the Mariner's Savings Bank, of the National Bank of Commerce, and of the Equitable Trust Company of New London, being also a director in each institution, and vice-president of the first-named from the time of its organization until his death. At the time of his death he was also President of the New London City National Bank." "The relieving change of mental activity necessitated by the totally different spheres of toil and care in his religious and secular occupations probably enabled him to do more, and to do it better, than if he had confined himself to secular occupations alone. He was the stronger for his own work, through not neglecting the Lord's work."
Mr. Haven was an excellent and effective lay preacher of the Gospel, an enthu- siastie and most helpful colaborer in -Sunday-school conventions, a member of the International Lesson Committee appointed to select "a course of Bible lessons" for the use of evangelical Sunday-schools " for a series of years not exceeding seven." His publie services were not restricted to Sunday-school work. He was the origi-
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nator in New London, of evening-schools, for the benefit of those whosc occupations forbadc their attendance at the public day-schools. He was the faithful and efficient chairman of the Board of Education of his city, a zealous and friendly worker for the State Normal School, and an active participant in teachers' institutes throughout the State. With the great benevolent societies of the country he was also identified. The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign missions confidcd in him for counsel, and looked to him for active service as one of its valued and efficient corporate members, with no unimportant place on the committces of its annual sessions. He was a vice-president of the American Sunday-School Union, of the American Bible Society, and of the American Tract Society. He was the very fore- front of the Systematic Beneficence Society. Of the American College and Education Society he was the honored president at the time of his death.
"In the county, the State, and the national conferences and councils of the Congregational churches, Mr. Haven was for years a felt and recognized power. . . In October, 1875, hc was a representative, together with the Rev. Dr. Joseph P. Thompson, of the National Council, at the Congregational Union of England and Wales, at its annual meeting in London," and delivered a brief and fitting address that was felicitously congruous with the history of the Anglo-Saxon Congregational churches, and with the proprieties of the occasion. To British ears it was very grati- fying to hear that three thousand American Congregational churches, in the midst of unusual business depression, "were contributing annually five millions of dollars to the support of our missionaries in heathcn countries, whilc more than that amount is raised for our home missions."
Mr. Haven was a model citizen as well as superintendent, had pronounced political opinions, expressed them at the polls, canvassed personally and by proxy beforc important elcctions, served on juries, and, in a word, discharged all his duties to the State and to the nation. For a time hc was mayor of his city. He also represented his town in the Legislature, and in 1873 was the Republican candidate for Governor of Connecticut. With strange infatuation and blind wickedness, his opponents made his Christian activity a ground of objection to his election ; entirely ignoring the historical fact that Christian activity has made the commonwealth what it is, and that on its operation the future weal of the State must depend. Mr. Haven was defcated at the polls, less to his own loss by far, than to that of Connecticut.
A most liberal and unostentatious giver, dclighting in his own benefactions judicious in their bestowment, wanting " a timber-head in every ship," and employing others to assist in the administration of his beneficence, hc proved the truth of the Saviour's maxim : " It is more blessed to give than to receive." As a business man,
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he was remarkable for his power of fixing his faculties at will entirely upon a single subject, of passing from one to another, of being "twenty different men to twenty different objects in one day, if necessary." Secretive, methodical, versatile mirthful, and humorous in public, his virtues shone most benignly within the charm- ing circle of his own home. Method and system pervaded that household, religion was in his home atmosphere, hearty love for the Bible was cherished there, his favorite truths were drawn from it, and in its light he appeared to be an Israelite " without guile."
When twenty-five years old Mr. Haven was married to Elizabeth Lucas Doug- las, of Waterford. Four children were the fruit of the union, one of whom died in infancy, and one in young manhood. The latter, Thomas Williams Haven, who was in partnership with his father, died in the summer of 1870, at the age of twenty- three. His death was a severe blow to his father. Other bereavements rapidly followed. Repeated afflictions were sanctified to his spiritual welfare, and increased his fitness for the celestial city. Yet he endured in active and efficient service " unto the end." On the evening of Saturday, April 29th, 1876, he led his teachers' meeting, as his wont was, in his home library-room. "The next morning he was up early, in preparation for the enjoyments and duties of the Lord's day. But his toil on earth was at an end. His day of rest had come. Before the hour of his early Sunday-school he was asleep in Jesus." His memory is precious.
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ICHOLS, DAVID PHILIP, of Danbury, ex-Treasurer of Connecticut. Born in Danbury, July 7th, 1810. His father, Philip Nichols, was a native of Greenfield Hill, in the town of Fairfield, Conn., and a manufacturer of hats in Danbury. David Nichols, his grandfather, was also a native of Greenfield Hill, a farmer by occupation, and an influential member of the Congregational Church in that place, at the time that the Rev. Timothy Dwight, D.D., afterward President of Yale College, was the pastor. The Nichols family belong to the sturdy Anglo- Saxon stock, whose strength and enterprise have placed them in the van of the world's progress.
Philip Nichols, the hat manufacturer, was brought up at Greenfield Hill, received his scholastic education in the distriet schools, and evinced marked intelli- gence and promise. He died of epidemic fever in the town of Danbury, in 1813, at the premature age of 26; and left a widow and three children, of whom David Philip was the youngest. His widow, whom he married August 4th, 1806, was Elizabeth, daughter of Nathan Starr, of Danbury, and grand-daughter of Captain Josiah Starr, whose paternal grandfather, Josiah Starr, together with seven other families, began the settlement of the town of Danbury, in 1693. Josiah Starr, Sr., was one of the seven patentees named in the grant made in 1702, that gave town privileges to Danbury. He was one the leading citizens, a large landholder, and the incumbent of many offices of honor and distinction. His father, Dr. Thomas Starr, was appoint- ed "chirurgeon " to the forces sent against the Pequots, on the 17th of May, 1637. The common ancestor of this branch of the Starr family was Dr. Comfort Starr, of Ashford, Kent, England, who emigrated to this country in March, 1634, accom- panied by three children and three servants.
The descendant of long lines of honorable and upright ancestors, David Philip Nichols was born in the mansion that stands on the site of Major Daniel Starr's house, in which General Washington was once entertained, and which was the first one burned by the British on their raid into Danbury. His mother was an excel- lent member of the Baptist Church, lived in widowhood no less than sixty years, and died at Danbury, in 1873, at the age of 86. His scholastic education was of academic character, and fitted him for the business of a general merchant, upon which he entered at his native town in 1838, and in which he continued for the lengthy period of thirty-three years.
In publie life Mr. Nichols has borne an unostentatious, but none the less efficient, part. In 1860, 1865, and 1880, he represented his native town in the Legislature of the State, having been elected thereto by the Republican party, with which he has always been identified. In the former of these years he rendered admirable service as chairman of the Committee on Railroads. In 1865 he offici-
& P.nichols
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ated as member of the Committee on New Towns and Probate Districts ; and was chairman of the special commission on the removal of the court-house from New London to Norwich. A bitter contest arose over the projected removal, and ended in the retention of the half-shire privilege by New London. He has also served, in his legislative experience, as chairman of the Committee on Finance, and of the Committee on Contingent Expenses. Offices of honor and trust have been confided to his keeping, at different times, by his fellow citizens in Danbury.
In the religious, financial, and economic affairs of the town he has been, and is, an influential factor. Connected with the First Congregational Church, he has advanced its interests in various capacities. Of the old Danbury Bank he was one of the directors, and is now a director of the Danbury National Bank. He was also one of the incorporators of the Savings Bank of the same town. In railroad enterprises he has been active, and was director of the Danbury & Norwalk Rail- road for many years. The Danbury Gas Company has profited by his services as director since its organization. With the Norwalk Fire Insurance Company he is also associated in directorial relations. From 1856 to 1871 his activities took wider range as trustee of the State Reform School, of whose board of management he was for some years the chairman. In 1869, 1871, and 1872 Mr. Nichols filled the responsible post of State Treasurer, to which he was elected by the Repub- lican party, and for which his fitness had been demonstrated by previous service as chairman of the Board of Bank Commissioners, appointed by the State. In 1877, together with Judge O. S. Seymour and Henry M. Cleveland, he acted as special Insurance Commissioner, and investigated the methods and condition of all the life insurance companies doing business in Connecticut. In all these multifarious rela- tions and employments his endowments as a ready, versatile, and forcible speaker have been brought into beneficent play.
Mr. Nichols has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was united November 30th, 1831, was Marietta, daughter of John Williams, of Bethel. She died in January, 1845. His second wife, whom he espoused on the 9th of June, 1846, was Matilda, daughter of Nathaniel P. Averill, of Salisbury. Five children-three boys and two girls-werc the issue of the first union. One of the sons is the Rev. Starr Nichols, a Protestant Episcopal clergyman in Philadelphia. One daughter, now married and settled in the West, is the fruit of the second marriage.
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R
USSELL, GURDON WADSWORTH, A.M., M.D., of Hartford. Born in Hartford, April 10th, 1815. His father, John Russell, born in Litchfield, was a printer and publisher in Hartford, Conn. His Mother, née Martha Wads- worth, was a resident of Hartford.
After the usual preparatory course, young Russell entered Trinity College, Hart- ford, and graduated therefrom in 1834. Selecting the medical profession for his future activities, he began to prepare for its exercise in the year of his graduation from college, in the office of Dr. A. Brigham, at Hartford-the gentleman who subse- quently took charge of the Hartford Retreat, and after that became identified with the management of the Insane Asylum at Utica, N. Y. Mr. Russell next matric- ulated at the medical department of Yale College in 1835, pursued a thorough course of study, and received the diploma of M.D. from that institution in 1837.
Dr. Russell entered upon medical practice first at Wethersfield, Conn., prosecuted it successfully in that locality for one year, and then removed to Hartford, of which city he has since been a constant resident. Recognized by fellow-practitioners as one of the leaders of his profession for many years, Dr. Russell has, for rea- sons satisfactory to himself, withdrawn from its exclusive pursuit, and bestowed his time and energies on several cognate philanthropic enterprises. Blessed with ample pecuniary resources, he has wisely and unostentatiously contributed to many worthy beneficenses, connected and unconnected with the medical profession. Of the Retreat for the Insane at Hartford, he has served as one of the directors. Philanthropically and scientifically interested in its progress and welfare, he erected and completely furnished a handsome chapel in 1875, and presented it to the corporation for the benefit of the patients under its care. There are not wanting many observant and judicious physicians who have studied how to "minister medicine to minds diseased," who regard this act of munificence as one of the wisest and most scientific of the many with which Dr. Russell must be credited. It may be, and probably is, true that hereditary tendency to insanity is sometimes developed by wild religious excite- ment, that different forms of mental aberration are induced by brooding on religious subjects-and especially when aided by other causes; but it is none the less true that the calm, kind, thoughtful inculcation of Christian truth, and the benign influence of genuine Christian worship have prevented multitudes of bruised, blinded, bitter souls, from becoming hopelessly insane. Science observes the whole field of human experiences, and adapts its measures-as Dr. Russell has done-in the most judicious style to human hcaling and happiness.
Dr. Russell has been Vice-President of the American Medical Association, President of the Connecticut State Medical Socicty, and member of other medical associations.
He was married, in 1838, to Elizabeth S. Tuttle, of Hartford, who departed this life in 1871.
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NIGHT, HENRY MARTER, M.D., of Salisbury. Born in Stafford, Tolland County, Conn., August 11th, 1827. His father, the Rev. Joseph Knight, was a Congregational clergyman at Munson, Mass. His mother, née Ruby Hyde, was a native of the same place.
Dr. Knight was educated in the Academy at Munson, and also at the Williston Seminary. Much valuable instruction, and particularly in the classics, was further imparted to him by his excellent father. Selecting the profession of medicine, he began the study of its theory and practice in 1846, in Worcester County, Mass., under the direction of Professor Julien F. Minor, now an eminent practitioner in Buffalo, N. Y., and also connected with the faculty of the Buffalo Medical College. His preparatory studies were continued and completed at Munson under the tuition of Dr. Alvan Smith. Subsequently, he matriculated at the Berkshire Medical Col- lege, attended a course of lectures there, thence repaired to New York and spent a year in hospital practice, and finally received his diploma of M.D. from the Berkshire Medical College in 1849.
Adequately prepared for professional duties, Dr. Knight then settled in his native town-Stafford Springs-and practised there until the autumn of 1851, when he removed to Salisbury, and occupied himself with general medical duties until the year 1858. Three years prior to the latter date, his attention had been forcibly drawn to a special department of medical science and skill, while a member of the lower house of the State Legislature. In 1855 he had been elected to membership in that body, and was deeply impressed by the Governor's address on the condition of the feeble-minded in Connecticut. That official also suggested the appointment of a committee to investigate their needs, and to report the results of its investigations. Dr. Knight was assigned to duty on that committee, and in unison with the other members reported a bill to the House. The measures proposed failed of acceptance by the Senate, and the matter was temporarily dropped. But Dr. Knight was not so easily foiled. By 1858 he had carefully and thoroughly investigated the whole subject, and without waiting for legislative assistance founded a private institution in Salisbury for the treatment of the imbecile and idiotic.
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