USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Litchfield County, Connecticut > Part 23
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the church-yard at Haddam Neck. Their children, who were reared to habits of virtue and industry, comprised seven sons and two daughters, six of whom are living, namely : Jarvis Alonzo, on the home farm; Almira, in Meriden, Conn., widow of Samuel A. Camp; Egbert, a farmer in Holyoke, Mass. ; James T., the subject of this sketch; Hubert W., a silver plate worker in Meriden, a man of re- markable mechanical genius, which he is sup- posed to have inherited from his mother's fam- ily; Loren T., a farmer in Meriden; Lucretia P., formerly a teacher, now the wife of Henry A. Chapman, of North Scituate, R.I. ; John B., an academic student, a man of inventive genius.
Neivton Isaac Morgan, deceased, was a blacksmith by trade and a volunteer in the Twenty-fourth Connecticut Regiment, after a few months' service being promoted from the ranks to be Second Sergeant of his company. He was wounded at Port Hudson by a spent ball, and, from the combined effects of this wound and a chronic disease contracted during his army life, died at the age of twenty-two, at his father's home.
James T. attended the common schools until sixteen years of age, in the mean time working on a farm and in his father's shop. He then entered the employ of L. Boardman & Son, of East Haddam, Conn., manufacturers of Bri- tannia spoons, German and nickel silver- plated table ware, and, with the exception of two terms at school, worked for fourteen years for this firm, familiarizing himself with a large part of the business, and in dull times taking any kind of work that was offered him.
Slowly he worked his way up, advancing step by step and taking charge of different branches, until finally he was made superin- tendent of the German silver factory, which position he held for four years. A more favor-
able situation being offered him by the Strong Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of undertaker's goods, of Winsted, Conn., in the spring of 1870 Mr. Morgan came to Winsted in the interest of that company, and in Janu- ary, 1872, was made a director of the company and superintendent of the hardware depart- ment. This position he held until 1887, when he disposed of his interest, and the same year organized the Morgan Silver Plate Company for manufacturing undertaker's supplies. This corporation is now a stock company with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars. It is one of the most prosperous concerns of the age and kind, and its success is largely due to the ability and energy of Messrs. Morgan & Granger, its directors. Of Colonel Granger a sketch will be found on another page of this volume. Mr. Morgan has been general man- ager of the company since its organization.
Mr. Morgan was married on November 12, 1865, to Nellie V., only daughter of Samuel and Cynthia E. (Chapman) Mitchell, of Moodus, Conn. Mrs. Morgan received a lib- eral education, making a study of music, for which she had a natural taste. She was mar- ried at twenty ; and two sons have blessed the union, brilliant and high-principled young men, of whom the parents are justly proud. The elder, Arthur H., who has recently at- tained his majority, is a travelling salesman for the Morgan Silver Plate Company. IIe studied first at the Winsted graded school, and then for a term at a business college, and later on at the military school at Bordentown, N.J., afterward taking a special course in music, vocal and instrumental. He has nat- ural musical talent, and is a fine violinist. The younger son, Elmer E., a promising youth of sixteen, is an accomplished pianist, and is now a pupil of the Gilbert High School.
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Mr. Morgan is a Republican in politics, and
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has always been interested in Lodge matters, having belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Eneampment since his twenty-first year, and has passed all the ehairs up to the Grand Lodge, which he has repre- sented. With his wife and family he is an attendant at the First Congregational Church. On coming to Winsted Mr. Morgan sold his estate in East Haddam, and bought the pleasant home at 17 Walnut Street, where the family have resided for over twenty years.
EANDER B. PALMER, a prosperous farmer of Roxbury, Conn., son of Charles H. and Betsey B. (Blake- man) Palmer, was born in this town Deeember 17, 1857. Mr. Palmer's paternal grandpar- ents, Seth and Hannah (Diseo) Palmer, were residents of Bedford, N. Y .; and Charles H. Palmer was born there on November 19, 1814. His parents died when he was very young; and he eame to Washington, Conn., where he learned the hatter's trade, an oeeupation which he followed for twenty years. He then bought a farm near Weller's Bridge, which he later sold; and in 1875 he settled upon the farm. that is now owned by his son, Leander B. This property, formerly known as the George Hudson farm, consists of one hundred and sixteen acres of well-improved land. Mr. Charles 11. Palmer successfully conducted gen- cral farming until his death, which took place on June 8, 1893. He was a Republican in politics and a Congregationalist in religion. His wife, Betsey B. Blakeman, who was born December 25, 1817, daughter of Isaac Blake- man, became the mother of one son; namely, Leander B., the subject of this sketch, with whom she now makes her home.
Leander B. Palmer received his education in the public schools, and at an early age began
to assist in the work of the farm. Sinee the death of his father he has managed the prop- erty with energy and good judgment, making various improvements. His tillage land is in a high state of cultivation, and Mr. Palmer occupies to-day a position among the leading farmers of the neighborhood. In April, 1895, a large barn containing his cattle and horses was struck by lightning, resulting in the total destruction of the buildings and their contents, a loss not easily repaired, but which was not allowed to discourage this thrifty husbandman.
On April 30, 1889, Mr. Palmer was united in marriage to Nettie Mallory, a daughter of Daniel and Mary A. (Lane) Mallory, of Rox- bury. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have two chil- dren, as follows: Charles II., who was born March 16, 1892; and Asa D., born October 31, 1894. Mr. Palmer is a Republican in politics, and is a Free Mason.
EORGE W. RICHMOND, formerly a successful contractor and builder and at the present time Postmaster of New Milford, was born in this town, October 1, 1844, son of George and Janet ( Watson) Richmond. Mr. Richmond's father was born in New Milford in 1819, and received his edu- cation in the common schools. When a young man he entered mercantile pursuits on Bennett Street in his native town. Ile continued there for a time, and then conducted a general trade in Gaylordsville and Park Lane; but his life, which promised a successful future, W.t. cut short by consumption, his death occurring in 1847. at the early age of twenty-eight years. He was an able and progressive young man. il Democrat in politics, and a member of the Episcopal church.
His wife, Janet Watson, was a daughter of William and Lucy (Picket ) Watson, She was
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of Scotch descent, her father, William Wat- son, Sr., having been born in Churnside, Ber- wickshire, Scotland, January 6, 1773. He emigrated to New York in 1795, and became an early settler in New Milford, where he fol- lowed his trade of stone mason until his death, which was caused by an accident, when he was fifty-eight years old. Mr. Watson's wife, Lucy Picket, whom he married November 14, 1807, became the mother of nine children : William, George, Sally, Wellington, Joseph, John, Janet, Robert, and Wallace. Mr. and Mrs. George Richmond were the parents of two children: George W., the subject of this sketch; and Isabella, who died at the age of two years and six months. The mother died in September, 1895, aged seventy-three.
George W. Richmond attended the public schools of his native town, and later entered St. Paul's Preparatory School at Brookfield, Conn., where he was graduated in 1863. He then went to England, and remained abroad several months. At the age of twenty-three years he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed as a journeyman for some years, and later became a contractor and builder. He continued in that calling with good results until November, 1893, when he received the appointment of Postmaster of New Milford, a position which he has since filled with ability. He is a Democrat in politics, and has been a member of the School Board for fourteen years. He owns a pleasant residence, situated in the outskirts of the village, which he erected in 1878.
On July 5, 1869, Mr. Richmond was united in marriage with Ellen Hosey, of Waterbury, Conn., daughter of Patrick and Bridget (Lynch) Hosey. They have had six children, as follows: Francis X., who was born July 18, 1870, and is now a law student ; Joseph B., born May 15, 1872, who was a printer, and
died in 1893; George P., born April 24, 1874, who is a printer by trade and is acting as Assistant Postmaster; M. Bella, born May 25, 1880; Matthew W., born August 7, 1883; and Fabian, born December 20, 1886. Mr. Richmond is a prominent member of the Roman Catholic church, and has been a trus- tee for the parish at New Milford for a number of years.
RS. JULIA E. HOLMAN PHELPS resides in the town of Colebrook, Conn., on one of the old homesteads which has been in the posses- sion of the Phelps family for more than a cen- tury. The buildings are charmingly situated on a rise of ground, commanding an extensive view of the surrounding country, and are of the good substantial sort that stand for comfort and convenience, the entire farm being one of the best in point of improvements of any in the vicinity. Mrs. Phelps was born in Ben- nington, Wyoming County, N. Y. Her father, Benjamin Franklin Holman, a native of New Hampshire, was a son of Jonathan Holman, who migrated from New England to New York State. He made the removal with teams, part of the way following a path marked by blazed trees. He settled in the town of Stafford, Genesee County, where he improved a farm from the wilderness, residing there until his death. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Sawyer, reared several children.
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Benjamin F. Holman was a young lad when his parents removed to New York. He lived with them until his marriage with Mary Mar- shall, a daughter of Dr. Silas Marshall, of Stafford, when he removed to the town of Ben- nington, then in Genesee County, but now included within the limits of Wyoming County. Buying a tract of land from which a few acres had been cleared, and on which there
HORACE M. PHELPS.
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were a log house and a log barn, he lived there about eighteen years, clearing more land and replacing the log structures with substantial frame buildings. He then sold at an advantage and removed to Conneaut, Crawford County, Pa., where he bought a farm on which he car- ried on mixed husbandry until after the death of his wife, when he retired from active pur- suits, spending the rest of his days with his son-in-law at Summer Hill, dying at the age of seventy-eight years. Eight children were born to him and his wife, naniely : Albert M., who died in childhood; Sarah A .; Candace J. ; Julia E. (Mrs. Phelps) ; Mary A. ; Sylvia J. ; Cynthia M. ; and Chastina A.
Julia E. Holman resided with her parents until her marriage at the age of eighteen years. Her husband, Horace Matthew Phelps, was born in Colebrook, June 18, 1825. His father, Ralzamon Phelps, was a son of John and Betsey (Bingham) Phelps, the former being a native of Enfield, Conn., and a pioneer settler of Colebrook. Ralzamon Phelps was reared as most farmers' sons, in the winter attending school, and laboring in the summer season on the farm, to the ownership of which he finally succeeded. He married for his first wife Mary Coy, a native of Norfolk; but she passed to the higher life at the early age of twenty-two years, leaving her infant son, Hor- ace Matthew. The father was a second time married, but the only child of that union is not living. On the death of his mother Hor- ace was placed in the charge of his maternal grandmother, who reared him to a useful manhood, sending him to the district school and afterward to the Norfolk Academy. On completing his school life Mr. Phelps spent a few months in Hartford, where he learned the photographer's art, going from there to Mexico, where he resided a year. Then, after a visit in Ohio, he returned to Litchfield
County, and for two years had a studio in Winsted.
Mr. Phelps then removed with his family to Rock Creek, Ashtabula County, Ohio, and was the leading artist of that place until 1878, when, his father dying, he returned to the old homestead, which became his by virtue of inheritance. Here he devoted his time and energies to agricultural pursuits, carrying on the home farm with the same skill and success that had characterized his ancestors, winning an assured position among the respected and valued members of the community. He passed from earth February 12, 1893, leaving an hon- orable record of a well-spent life. The only child born of their pleasant union was Mary A., who married Augustus Curtiss, of Norfolk, and is the mother of two children, Horace Phelps Curtiss and Samuel A. Curtiss.
This brief memoir of the late Horace M. Phelps is supplemented by a lifelike portrait on a neighboring page.
EV. JOHN CALVIN GODDARD, pastor of the Congregational church in Salisbury, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., September 18, 1852, son of James E. and Catherine F. (Jennings) Goddard. Mr. Goddard's grandfather, Hezekiah Goddard, son of Daniel Goddard, was engaged in the trading and shipping business in New London, Conn. He served as Quartermaster-general during the War of 1812. Hezekiah Goddard died .it the age of eighty years. He married Emnice Rathbone, daughter of John Rathbone, of New York City, and reared a family of six children, as follows: Ennice, John, James E., George W., Juliet R., and Sarah. The mother died aged eighty-four.
James E. Goddard, Mr. Goddard's father. was born in New London in 1817. He en-
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gaged in mercantile pursuits, and conducted a wholesale dry-goods business in New York City from 1833 to 1874. He resided in Brooklyn from 1850 to 1862, at the expiration of which time he removed to Yonkers, N. Y .; and after residing there for twelve years he re- turned to New London and passed the remain- der of his life in that city. He was an active member and an Elder of the Presbyterian church in Yonkers, and was a Deacon of the Congregational church in New London. He was a man of strong convictions and great benevolence, having special affection for dumb animals and comprising in his own person a humane society. He was a particular friend of the colored race, and taught up to the week of his death a large class of them, whom he had gathered in the city. He was deeply read in history and theology, and wielded a trench- ant pen in public discussions. He was so gifted in prayer and remembered unfailingly so many persons that on his decease a friend made this opportune and characteristic remark, "The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended." James E. Goddard died in New London in 1893, aged seventy-six. His wife, Catherine F. Jennings, was a daughter of Nathan T. Jennings, of New York City, where she was born in 1819. She became the mother of eleven children, nine of whom lived to maturity, namely: Juliet R., who became Mrs. Henry T. Thomas; Catherine A. ; Eunice C. ; John C., the subject of this sketch ; Walter L. ; Caroline M., now Mrs. Salter S. Clark; William L. ; George F .; and James C. The mother died November 23, 1895.
John C. Goddard commenced his education in the public schools of Yonkers, and after attending the New London High School he entered Yale University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1873. He pursued his theological studies at the Chicago Theolog-
ical Seminary, and after graduating in 1881 was ordained a minister in Chicago in June of the same year. He was pastor of the West- ern Avenue Congregational Church in Chi- cago until 1884, in which year he received and accepted a call to the Congregational church in Salisbury. He was installed pastor of this church on October 16, 1884, and has since resided in Salisbury.
On August 2, 1883, Mr. Goddard married Harriet W. Allen, daughter of Dr. Charles L. Allen, of Rutland, Vt. Mr. and Mrs. God- dard have seven children, namely: Catherine; Miriam and Rose, who are twins; Charles Allen; John Calvin, Jr. ; Louisa Page; and Ruth Salisbury.
ESTON G. GRANNISS, of the firm of Granniss & Elmore, general merchants of Litchfield, was born in this town February 16, 1855, son of Asa and Sally Granniss. Mr. Granniss's great- grandfather, William Granniss, who was a native of East Haven, Conn., settled in Litchfield in 1781. He purchased a farm sit- uated about five miles west of the village, which is now owned and occupied by his great-grandson, Mr. Granniss's brother, and followed agricultural pursuits until his death. Thomas Granniss, Mr. Granniss's grandfather, was born in 1787. He succeeded to the pos- session of his father's farm, which he con- ducted with prosperous results, and died at the age of eighty-nine years. He married Ruth Stone, who was born in Litchfield, April 9, 1787.
His youngest son, Asa Lyman Granniss, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on the old homestead, January 1, 1814, and died there January 13, 1894, aged eighty years, having spent his whole life on the same
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farm. He married March 13, 1849, Sally, daughter of Miner and Polly Potter. Miner Potter was a son of Benjamin Potter, who was born in East Haven in 1763, and settled in Litchfield at an early date. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and participated in the defence of New London. He died in Litchfield, and was buried at Bantam. In early life Miner Potter learned the carpenter's trade, and assisted in the erection of many of the older residences of Litchfield, where he was well and favorably known. He died December 12, 1850, aged sixty-three years. His wife, Polly Grey, whom he married in 1817, was born in Danbury, Conn., and was a daughter of Joseph Grey, a farmer of that town. Five children blessed their union, of whom three are still living: Garry G., who resides at New Milford; Sally, Mr. Granniss's mother; and Julia, who married Jason St. John, and lives at Hammonton, N.J. Sally (Mrs. A. L. Granniss) was born December 15, 1821, and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church over fifty years. Two children only were born to Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Granniss: Fremont M., who still re- sides on the old homestead; and Weston G., the subject of this sketch.
Weston G. passed his boyhood days "down on the farm," and got most of his education at the "little school-house under the hill," one winter being spent at the Gunnery School at Washington. He then entered the employ of Baker & Brinsmade, general merchants of that town, as man of all work, and after two years of hard and conscientious labor gained the distinction of being their confidential and trusted head clerk, which position he held until the close of his services with them, in all nearly five years. He then accepted a po- sition with Bennett, Sloan & Co., wholesale grocers of New Haven, Conn., and became
one of their travelling salesmen. After con- tinuing in their employ two and one-half years, he returned to Litchfield, and bought of C. M. Ganung his interest in the firm of Ganung & Elmore. The present firm of Granniss & Elmore was established February 1, 1882, with this motto, "Everything guaran- teed as represented." Its progress has been onward. The firm started with no capital other than stout hearts, willing hands, and a firm determination to win. They enjoy the confidence of the public, who accord them a liberal patronage, which they merit. The fin- est delicacies prepared in this and foreign countries are among their grocery stock. They also carry a large line of dry goods, car- pets, wall papers, etc., and enjoy the reputa- tion of doing the largest mercantile business ever done at Litchfield.
Mr. Granniss is a Republican in politics. He is a Past Master of St. Paul's Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Litchfield, having filled all the chairs of the Blue Lodge, is at present District Deputy of Litchfield County, and is also offi- cially connected with the Chapter and Council. He is a member of the Connecticut Commer- cial Travellers' Association, having been one of the early members of the organization.
On February 20, 1879, he married Louise Glover, only daughter of Julius and Jeanette (Bolles) Glover, of New Preston, Conn. Mrs. Granniss's grandfather. Elisha Glover. was a prosperous farmer and lifelong resident of Warren, where her father was born. Julius Glover acquired the trade of a stone-cutter, and followed that occupation until failing health caused him to retire from active labor. He served three years in the Civil War as a member of Company G, Nineteenth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers. His wife died May 4, 1895. Mrs. Granniss is a member of the Congregational church.
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AMUEL R. SCOVILLE, although one of the youngest in the farming community of Cornwall, is already ranked among its most enterprising members and is highly esteemed as a man of integrity and good business judgment. He was born March 27, 1866, son of Ralph I. and Maria E. (Wadhams) Scoville. He occupies the old Scoville homestead in the north part of the town, which belonged to his grandfather, Jacob Scoville, who also was a native of Cornwall.
Grandfather Scoville was a practical and prosperous farmer. He devoted considerable attention to town affairs, serving in the vari- ous offices ; and he was a member of the State legislature during two sessions of that body. He was seventy-five years old at the time of his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Martha Ingersoll, was born in Bethlehem, Conn. They had one son, Samuel, who died in infancy; and they reared two sons and a daughter, as follows: Ralph I., Eliza M., and Samuel. Eliza M. Scoville married William C. Rogers, of Cornwall, and has three children living, all married and settled in Sheffield, Mass. Her younger brother, the Rev. Samuel Scoville, who is settled in Stamford, Conn., has a summer residence in Cornwall, adjoining the homestead. He married Harriet Beecher, daughter of the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher and grand-daughter of Dr. Lyman Beecher; and they have a family of four children.
Ralph I. Scoville was born on the old Corn- wall homestead and continued to live here dur- ing his life. He was very successful as a farmer, and, like his father, gave considerable of his time to town affairs and other public interests. In 1876 he served in the State leg- islature, and he was many times elected to fill responsible town offices. He died May 15, 1887. He married Maria E. Wadhams, a
daughter of Lewis C. Wadhams, of Goshen, Conn., and they became the parents of the fol- lowing children : Irving J., who married Miss Carrie French, of Boston, and has two sons and a daughter - Elizabeth, Ralph, and Fred- erick; Martha, wife of James H. Moser, who has two daughters - Grace and Lydia; Lydia; Samuel R. ; and Frederick R. Mrs. Maria E. Wadhams Scoville, now sixty-five years of age, enjoys a good degree of health and mental vigor.
Samuel R. Scoville learned his early lessons in the common schools, and pursued a higher course of study at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., where he was graduated. He then returned to the old homestead to live with his parents. He is now the manager of the farm, which contains three hundred acres of land, divided between pasturage and tillage. Mr. Scoville is a charter member of North Corn- wall Grange, No. 32.
RANCIS BENEDICT SMITH, M.D., who is living in pleasant retirement at West Winsted, Litchfield County, Conn., is a native of this section of the State, Norfolk being the place of his birth, which occurred May 14, 1816. His father, Erastus Smith, a native of Sandisfield, Berkshire County, Mass., was a son of Dr. Amos Smith, who was a practising physician in that town for many years, and died there at the age of seventy-five.
Erastus Smith married a fair maiden of Con- necticut, Wealthy Benedict, who was born in Norfolk, daughter of Francis Benedict, a na- tive of the same place. Her paternal grand- father, also named Francis Benedict, was born in Danbury, Fairfield County, and removed from there to Norfolk in 1760. He was the first settler in the north-east part of the town,
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following the way from the central part by a trail marked by blazed trees. He bought a tract of timber, and soon the merry blows of his axe could be heard as he hewed the giants of the forest to make an opening in which to build a log house to shelter himself and fam- ily. He stopped not to dig a cellar, but made a hole in the bank to keep the potatoes and vegetables which he afterward raised; and by dint of persevering labor he cleared a good farm, on which he passed the remainder of his life, dying at the age of seventy-five years. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Lyon, outlived him more than two decades, attaining the remarkable age of ninety-seven years.
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