USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Litchfield County, Connecticut > Part 18
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field to become manager of the Rogers estate. a capacity in which he is still employed. He enlisted as a private in the Nineteenth Con- necticut Volunteers, and served three years in the Civil War, during which time he was pro- moted to the rank of Orderly Sergeant. His wife was born in Litchfield, daughter of Peleg and Eliza (Buel) Wheeler. The father was a prosperous farmer, and died at the age of fifty-six years. Peleg Wheeler raised a family of five children, of whom two are now living ; namely, Charles G. and Mrs. George W. New- comb. The latter has had but one son, namely: Frederick U., the subject of this sketch. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which Mr. George W. Newcomb is officially connected.
Frederick U. Newcomb passed his boyhood in Goshen, and attended the public schools. After completing his education he obtained employment with Wessells & Gates in the drug business. He remained for one year there, and then engaged with F. D. McNeil & Co., with whom he remained for four years and a half. At the expiration of that time he purchased a general store in the village of Bantam, Litchfield County, where he con- ducted a satisfactory business until the latter part of 1888. He then sold out and bought in Litchfield village the old established boot and shoe business of E. W. Meafay, which he has since conducted with energy and success. He carries a full line of attractive goods, and by his pleasing manners and genial disposition maintains a large patronage. Mr. Newcomb is a Republican in politics. He has served upon the Board of Burgesses for two years, is a member of St. Paul's Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of which he has been Junior Deacon. and is connected with the Sons of Veterans
In September, 1884, Mr. Newcomb w.15 united in marriage to Edith E. Frall, born in
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Litchfield, daughter of Charles L. and Louisa (Pratt) Trall. Her father for many years has been foreman of D. Buell's farm. His wife was the mother of four children; namely, Edith E., Burton, Fannie, and Lena. Fannie married Edwin Potter, a house painter of Litchfield. Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb have one daughter, Frederica Edith.
HEODORE F. DEXTER, general manager of the Acme Rule Company of Salisbury, was born in that town No- vember 18, 1848, son of Newton L. and Lydia (Cook) Dexter. Mr. Dexter's great-grand- father, in company with Paul Revere, rolled the copper which was used in covering the domc of the State House in Boston.
Jeremiah Dexter, the grandfather of Theo- dore F. Dexter, was born in the vicinity of Boston. He was a mechanie; and, after set- tling in Salisbury in 1812, he established a factory for the manufacture of hoes, and suc- cessfully conducted it until his death, which occurred in Salisbury at an advanced age. He married Olive Hinsdale, and she became the mother of four children; namely, Newton L., Revcre, Herman, and Maria. She died at the age of thirty-eight years. Newton L. Dexter, Mr. Dexter's father, was born in Walpole, Mass., and accompanied his parents to Salis- bury. After the death of his father he pur- chased the factory, added the manufacture of forks and potatoe hooks to that of hoes, and car- ried on the three departments with increased profit. He was prominent in public affairs, and was Town Clerk for several years. New- ton L. Dexter died in Salisbury, aged seventy- four years. His wife, a native of Monmouth County, New Jersey, became the mother of eight children, as follows: Jeremiah N. ; Ann E., who became the wife of George N. Burch ;
Stephen H. ; Mary C., who became Mrs. Rora- back; Theodore F., the subject of this sketch; Hattie L., now Mrs. Cornell; Jennie ; and Edgar C. The mother is still living in the old home in Salisbury.
Theodore F. Dexter was educated in the schools of his native town. He worked in his father's factory until he reached his majority. He then engaged in the insurance business in New York State for a year, at the expiration of which he returned to Salisbury, and later entered mercantile business as a clerk. In 1890 he became book-keeper for the Acme Rule Company of Salisbury, from which posi- tion he has rapidly advanced to his present post of general manager. He is a progressive business man and a most valuable official to the company. Mr. Dexter is a Republican in politics, and has for several years been a member of the Town Committee. In 1890 he assisted in taking the United States Census, and is at the present time serving as Town Clerk. In 1884 he was united in marriage to Mary L. Spurr, of Sheffield, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Dexter are members of the Congrega- tional church.
ORRAIN APLEY, a prominent farmer of Goshen and a member of the Board of Selectmen, was born upon the farm he now owns and occupies, December 17, 1839, son of Hiram and Caroline (Bierce) Apley. Mr. Apley's grandparents were Eze- kiel and Sally (Rood) Apley, the former of whom was a prosperous farmer of Goshen, where the greater portion of his life was passed. He died at the age of eighty-six years. His children were: Alfred, Hiram, Lorrain, and Mary. The mother died at the age of eighty-four years.
Hiram Apley, Mr. Apley's father, was born in Torrington, Conn .; but he resided in
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Goshen after he was four years old. He had a farm which he successfully cultivated during the active period of his life. He lived to the age of eighty-three years and eight months. His wife, daughter of Sylvester Bierce, of Cornwall, became the mother of three chil- dren : Lorrain, Edwin, and Elizabeth. Edwin married Eliza Howe, and died October 9, 1867, aged twenty-five years, leaving two chil- dren, Levi and Julia. The latter became the wife of James Leonard, and has one son named Hiram. Caroline (Bierce) Apley died March 11, 1876, aged sixty-five years.
Lorrain Apley received his education in the district schools and was reared to agricultural life. He succeeded to the possession of the homestead. The estate contains three hundred and seventy-five acres of well-located land, on which he has conducted general farming with energy and good judgment. He is a Republi- can in politics, and has ably filled various offices of public trust. He is now serving his sixth term as member of the Board of Select- men, a position in which he is rendering val- uable service to the town. Mr. Apley is a member of Seneca Lodge, No. 55, A. F. & A. M., and also of the Grange.
RS. RACHEL L. PRATT, an esteemed resident of Salisbury, widow of the late Daniel Pratt, who was for many years Town Clerk of Salis- bury, was born in that town, April 27, 1823. She is the daughter of Chauncey and Lavinia (Spencer) Reed, both natives of Salisbury, and grand-daughter of Josiah Reed. Grandfather Reed came here from the southern part of Connecticut, and purchased the farm that con - tained .the Chatfield ore bed. He married Elizabeth Marvin, with whom he reared a fam- ily of seven children. They were: Marvin,
Silas, Lydia, Betsey, Susan, Chauncy, and Charles.
Chauncy Reed, the father of Mrs. Pratt. spent his life in Salisbury, engaged in farm ing. He owned a good farm near the centre of the town, and was well known and re- spected. He lived to be eighty years of age. His wife, who was a daughter of Job Spencer. of Salisbury, passed away at the age of seventy. Their children were: Spencer J. : Chauncey ; Henry J. : Theron: Jane: and Rachel L., the subject of this sketch.
Rachel L. Reed on July 29, 1851, became Mrs. Pratt, uniting her destiny with that of Daniel Pratt, son of Schuyler and Olive (Gay) Pratt. Schuyler Pratt died in his sixty-third year; and his wife lived through the vicissi- tudes of a century, being over ninety-nine years of age at the time of her death. They reared the following children : Milton. Charles, Daniel, Henry, Mary, Harrison, Olive, and Louise. Daniel Pratt was engaged in the cotton business in the South until the war broke out. He then returned North, and. purchasing an estate in Salisbury, there spent the rest of his life. A Democrat in politics. he was a leading citizen in the town, and hekl the office of Town Clerk for twenty years. He passed away in January, 1890, at the age of sixty-seven years, leaving his widow in com fortable circumstances. Mrs. Rachell Piatt still lives in the old home endeared to her by memories of the past. She and her husband were the parents of four children, as follows Schuyler, who died at the age of twenty Si. Ellen, who died at the age of four years. Com L .. , whose brief span of life embraced but siv summers ; and Hemy R., who married and is now living in Chappaqua, N. Y. Represent ing two of the old families of the town, a lady of culture, and in possession of many other estimable qualities, Mrs. Pratt is highly 10
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spected by her neighbors. She bears the weight of her seventy years gracefully, and appears to be much younger than she is.
DMUND D. LAWRENCE, a retired business man of Canaan, Conn., son of Harvey and Betsey (Dunning) Law- rence, was born in this town January 20, 1820. Mr. Lawrence's grandfather, Josiah Lawrence, was a native of Canaan, and for many years kept the hotel in the village. He died at the age of sixty-seven. Josiah Law- rence was twice married. His first wife, Amy Rockwell, left five children : Abiah, Harvey, Abigail, Betsey, and Charlotte. By his sec- ond union he had two children, Isaac and George.
Harvey Lawrence, son of Josiah and Amy (Rockwell) Lawrence, was born in Canaan on March 19, 1791. He became quite prominent in public affairs, serving in important . town offices, and was Trial Justice for many years. His wife, Betsey Dunning, whom he married November 22, 1812, became the mother of three children, as follows : Amy ; Edmund D., the subject of this sketch; and Catherine. Mrs. Harvey Lawrence died September 21, 1865. Her husband died July 21, 1870.
Edmund, who was the only son, resided with his parents until reaching the age of eighteen, at which time he began life for him- self. His first employment was in an iron manufactory, where he received twelve dollars and fifty cents per month as a start. He be- came proficient in the work, and remained there for fifteen years. Mr. Lawrence then engaged in mercantile business for two years, and was agent for seven years for a manufact- uring concern in Norfolk, the following six years being spent in different businesses. During the next seven years he was connected
with a sash and blind factory. After fifteen years of prosperity in the lime business, his next venture, he retired from active labor. Mr. Lawrence is a Republican in politics, and has been prominently identified with local public affairs, serving as a member of the Board of Selectmen and as an Assessor. In 1855 Mr. Lawrence was united in marriage with Lydia Rood, daughter of Dennis Rood, of Canaan. Their only child is an adopted daughter, a niece, named Emma Adams Lawrence.
A faithful likeness of Mr. Edmund D. Law- rence is herewith presented. He is a man whose success in life has been the result of his practical ability and close application to busi- ness. His interest in the higher needs of the community and his generosity are shown in his gift to the town, in 1885, of a building which cost thirteen hundred dollars for a public library.
AVID K. BIERCE, the owner of a fine farm two miles south of Sharon, and one of the most enterprising and substantial citizens of the town, was born in Cornwall, Litchfield County, Conn., on October 20, 1833, son of Obadiah and Sybil (Clark) Bierce, and grandson of James Bierce, who came from England. James Bierce was with the British army at the building of the fort at Crown Point on Lake Champlain. He resided in Cornwall, was a farmer, and spent the major part of his life engaged in that occupation. He died at the advanced age of ninety-five years. Obadiah Bierce, the youngest of a large family of children, was born in Corn- wall. At an early age he learned the trade of a millwright, and followed that calling during his younger days. Later on he conducted a grist and oil mill at Cornwall Bridge. In addition to his mill property he owned about
EDMUND D. LAWRENCE.
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seven hundred acres of land in the town. He was eighty-five years old at the time of his death. His wife, who was a native of Bur- lington, Conn., also attained the same age. They reared seven children; namely, Flora, Sarah, Hercules, Edward, David K., Frank, and Frances.
David K. Bierce remained with his parents until he came of age. He then went West, but a short time afterward returned to Corn- wall, and for six years was successfully en- gaged in the hotel business at Cornwall Bridge. From there he removed to Amenia, N. Y., where he spent the subsequent five years in agricultural pursuits. In 1868 he came to Sharon and purchased the place on which he now resides, a very productive farm of one hundred and twenty acres. Besides engaging in mixed husbandry he makes a specialty of dairying. In 1858 he was joined in marriage with Miss Temperance Cooper, a daughter of Hiram Cooper, of Amenia, N. Y. They are the parents of three children, as follows: Mrs. Emma Decker, their only daughter, who has one child, Manzer; George, married to Miss Ann Brown, a daughter of Josiah Brown, and father of two daughters - Stella and Ellen; and Arthur O., married to Miss Lizzie Dean, daughter of Edward K. Dean, by whom he is the father of two children - David and Olive. In politics Mr. Bierce is a loyal Republican. He has served his town as Assessor for several years, and at the present time holds the office of Selectman.
R OBERT G. HASSARD, M. D., a pop- nlar and successful physician of Thomaston, was born in Great Bar- rington, Mass., May 23, 1841, son of Samuel and Sarah G. (Cook) Hassard. The Hassard family are of English lineage, and looking backward along the line of descent it is found
that the first progenitor in this country came to America in 1639. Since that time the majority of the descendants have spent their lives in the New England States. The great- grandfather of Dr. Hassard, who bore the name of Samuel Hassard, was a native of Rhode Island .. He spent the larger part of his life in the business of a West Indies trader. His son, Robert Hassard, who was also born in Rhode Island, spent much of his life in the West Indies, where he had stores and also conducted a large plantation. He died when but forty-two years of age.
Samuel Hassard, born in Jamaica, lived with his parents in the West Indies only until he was six years of age. He was then sent to New England to obtain his education. As his father died a short time after, he did not return to the West Indies. He afterward took up the study of medicine. This he subsequently dropped, to engage in the study of theology at Yale College, where he graduated in 1826. He then took a course at the Andover Theo- logical Seminary. On leaving the latter he preached for a time in Taunton, Mass., and still later became the rector of St. James' Church at Barrington, Mass., where he re- mained until his death. Like his tather, he lived but forty-two years. His wife, Sarah G. (Cook) Hassard, was a daughter of John Cook, of Taunton, Mass., where she was born on February 29, 1816. Her parents, who were married when they were but forteen years old, reared a family of twelve children. She died on October 9. 1887. seventy two years of age, leaving but one child, Dr. Rob ert G. Hasard. The Rev. Sammel Hassaid and his wife were both members of the lipisces pal church, and were hekl in the highest esteem by his parishioners.
Robert G. Hassaid lived with his parents in Great Barrington, Mass., until he was nine
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years old. He then went to New Haven, Conn., where he remained until he attained his majority, acquiring his early education in the common schools and graduating from Yale College in the class of 1862. At the very beginning of the Civil War, in 1861, he entered the army with the first regiment that left the State of Connecticut, and was gone three months when he received his honorable discharge. On his return to New Haven he was made Acting Medical Cadet ; and after his graduation from Yale College he was ex- amined by the Army Board and received an appointment as Assistant Surgeon with the rank of First Lieutenant in the Nineteenth Connecticut Regiment. He was afterward transferred to the Second Heavy Artillery, with which he remained until he was mustered out of service in August, 1865. He returned again to New Haven, but not long after re- moved to Bridgeport, Conn., where during the following year he was successfully en- gaged in the practice of his profession. The next two years he spent in the West, from which he once more returned to New Haven. Some time later he went to Brooklyn, N. Y., and became the acting surgeon of the police department. After remaining here until 1880 he came back to Connecticut and settled in Litchfield County. Since then he has ac- quired a lucrative practice in the towns of Harwinton and Thomaston.
In 1881 he was married to Miss Lela M. Udell, daughter of Alanson Udell, a merchant of New York City. Although Republican in his political views, Dr. Hassard casts his vote for the man he considers best qualified for the office to be filled. He is a member of the C. L. Russell Post, No. 68, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he has acted as surgeon since its organization. He and his wife are active and influential members of the Episco-
pal church of Thomaston, while his wife is connected with the different church societies.
'REDERICK G. DEAN, a prosperous farmer of Falls Village, was born in Canaan, Litchfield County, Conn., February 9, 1839, son of Edmund M. and Susan C. (Butler) Dean. Mr. Dean's grand- father, Solomon Dean, was a successful farmer and a lifelong resident of Canaan. His family consisted of ten children, named respectively : Luther, William, Edmund M., Horace, Electa, Eunice, Mary, Sarah, Julia, and Nancy. Edmund M. Dean, Mr. Dean's father, was born in Canaan. He was trained to agriculture, and followed that occupation with energy and success during his whole life. His wife, Susan C. Butler, was a daughter of Calvin Butler, of Cornwall. She became the mother of three children, namely : Frederick G., whose name appears at the head of this sketch; Myron H., who married Anna B. Goslee, and has two children, Alice C. and Winifred; and Marshall, who married Emma Millard, and has five children, namely - Nellie, Arthur, Bessie, Harry, and Mabel.
Frederick G. Dean was educated in the district schools and at the Amenia Academy, and after completing his studies taught school for two seasons. He has always re- sided at the Dean homestead, which is one of the most productive farms in the town; and he conducts general farming with good re- sults. In 1869 Mr. Dean was united in mar- riage to Ellen E. Jaqua, daughter of Porter M. Jaqua, of Canaan. Mr. Dean has fre- quently been solicited to accept office, but he prefers to remain out of politics and give his entire attention to the management of his farm.
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OLONEL HENRY W. WESSELLS, manager of a large drug store in Litchfield and Secretary of the Litchfield Mutual Fire Insurance Company, was born July 13, 1845, in the town of New Milford, this county. Leverett Wessells, his father, was born in Litchfield, July 28, 1819, where Ashbel Wessells, father of Leverett and grandfather of Colonel Wessells, was then residing, being one of its leading physicians. Dr. Wessells was born in Groton, New Lon- don County, and there studied medicine. He subsequently located in this county, and here built up a large general practice, becoming quite noted as a healer of all diseases, spend- ing his life in the practice of his profession.
Leverett Wessells, one of the three sons born to his parents, was reared and educated in this locality, becoming a leader in the com- munity. He took an active part in public affairs, and was Deputy Sheriff from 1842 until 1851, Sheriff of the county from 1854 until 1866, and the village Postmaster for two terms. As one of the ablest and most intelli- gent men of the vicinity he was selected to represent his fellow-townsmen in the State legislature on two occasions, serving on impor- tant committees each time. Prior to the late Civil War he was Captain of the State militia ; and while the Rebellion was in progress he organized the Nineteenth Connecticut Volun- teer Infantry, which was afterward known as the Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery. He was commissioned Colonel of the regiment July 28, 1862, holding this rank until Septem- ber 15, 1863, when ill health compelled him to resign. The regiment, which was one of the finest at the front, achieved an honorable war record, actively participating in the fol- lowing actions: North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Hatch's Run, Fort Fisher, Petersburg
(a second action), and at Sailor's Creek - and losing, through killed, wounded, and captured, four hundred and thirty-one men. From the time of his resignation until the close of the war Colonel Leverett Wessells was Provost Marshal of the Fourth Connecticut District, and was subsequently Quartermaster-general on Governor Andrew's staff, being known in his last years as General Wessells. He was prominent in local as well as military affairs, and served as a member of the Board of Chari- ties for several years. He died here at the age of seventy-six. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Parks, lived to the age of seventy years. She was the daughter of Josiah Parks, formerly owner of all the stage routes running from this town, including those to Poughkeepsie and to Hartford. She reared but two children, namely: Grace, who became the wife of Dr. Gates, of New Hartford ; and Henry W. She was a most estimable woman, sharing with her husband the esteem of the community. Both were valued members of the Episcopal church.
Colonel Henry W. Wessells, having ac. quired his preliminary education in the pub- lic schools of his native town, concluded his studies at the Gunnery in Washington. Conn. After his graduation from that famous institution he came to Litchfield, and was for some time engaged in the railway mail ser vice, running on different roads of the State Abandoning that life, the Colonel accepted his present position as secretary of the local insurance company, faithfully and ably per forming his duties in this capacity since. In financial matters he is very skilful, very sys tematic and thorough in his methods, and is eminently trustworthy and capable.
In 1876 Colonel Wessells married Anne F Dotterer, a native of the Keystone State. . lady of rare culture and refinement, she pre-
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sides most gracefully over their pleasant homne, which is a centre of social activity. The Colonel in politics is a strong Republican. He has served his constituents as Warden of the borough for two years. Formerly he was Lieutenant of Company H, Fourth Regiment of the Connecticut National militia. He is a prominent member of the Sons of the Ameri- can Revolution, of the Colonial Society of 1812, and of the Loyal Legion. Both he and his wife are faithful members of the Episcopal church, he being a Vestryman; while Mrs. Wessells is an active worker in the church society.
RS. MARY (ROWLEY) BAIRD, widow of the late Theophilus Baird, who died at his home in Winsted, December 4, 1894, is a most esti- mable woman, and highly esteemed by all who have the pleasure of her personal ac- quaintance. Mr. Baird, born in 1825 in Watertown, N. Y., was of Scotch parentage. Nathaniel Baird, his father, was born, bred, and married in Scotland. The father soon after his marriage emigrated to America. He took up his residence in Watertown, N.Y., where he spent his remaining years, employed as a book-keeper, a capacity in which he was very expert. He reared a fam- ily of eight children, of whom three daughters and two sons are now living, all residents of either Watertown or Brooklyn.
Theophilus Baird was a man of excellent business habits and judgment and a typical representative of the self-made men of his day. He possessed in a high degree the characteristics of Scotland's sons - self-re- liance, industry, and thrift - that are sure to win ultimate success in life. Starting in life empty-handed, he accumulated a fortune be- fore its close, leaving his widow with a good
estate. He was engaged in business in Win- sted as druggist for more than thirty years, and was quite active and liberal in the sup- port of all enterprises conducive to the wel- fare of the town. In politics he uniformly cast his vote with the Republican party. He was a Trustee of the Gilbert School, a Di- rector in the Winsted Savings Bank, a Master Mason in the Masonic fraternity, and was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He was a regular attendant and a generous supporter of the First Congrega- tional Church, of which Mrs. Baird is an es- teemed and conscientious member. In 1883 Mr. Baird built the fine home now owned and occupied by his widow, and resided there contented until called to his final rest.
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