USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Litchfield County, Connecticut > Part 25
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The daughter, Flora Geer, was married on October 17, 1860, to Andrew T. Stilson, who is also a Mason. His parents were John, Jr., and Elvira (Turrill) Stilson, his father being
a son of John and Rachel (Bostwick) Stilson, of Little Falls. For many years he owned and conducted a grist-mill in New Milford, having learned the business in his father's mill at Little Falls. Mr. Andrew T. Stilson's great- grandparents were Moses and Hannah (Trow- bridge) Stilson. Mrs. Andrew T. Stilson died young, leaving a son and daughter, namely : John H., who married, and resides in Kansas; and Flora G., who has always lived with her grandmother. She is a charm- ing and cultured young lady, and one of the most active workers in the Congrega- tional church.
After her husband's death Mrs. Geer came to New Milford village, where she has since resided. She still enjoys a good degree of health, and, though over eighty-two years of age, contemplates a trip to California to visit her son, who is now her only child. She is held in the highest esteem by all who know her, and contributes liberally toward the sup- port of the Episcopal church of New Milford, of which she is a member.
ENJAMIN F. HUMESTON, mạn- ufacturer of soda and mineral waters and the owner of a fine three-story block in New Milford, Conn., was born in Little Rest, Dutchess County, N. Y., on April 9, 1845. His father, Bennett Humeston, was also a native of Little Rest, N.Y., where he followed with success the twofold vocation of a farmer and merchant. He died at eighty-two years of age. His wife, Amy White Humeston, is now in her eighty-fourth year.
Benjamin F. Humeston received a good practical education in his native town. On starting out for himself, he engaged in the hotel business for two years, and then in 1869
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came to New Milford, and entered into the grocery and retail liquor business on Railroad Street, continuing in that for six years. He then purchased the New Milford hotel, which he conducted with success until 1880, when he engaged in the manufacture of soda and mineral water and bottled goods of various kinds, carrying on a large business for four- teen years. In 1894 he purchased a vacant lot adjoining the Bolles Block, and the fol- lowing year had completed the best block in the city, a three-story structure, fifty-two by seventy-two feet in ground area. The first story is used for business purposes ; and the second and third floors are divided into four flats, all equipped with modern conveniences, being supplied with hot and cold water and lighted by gas, which he manufactures him- self. He still continues the bottling busi- ness, and has everything in first-class shape. Back of his block he has a fine new barn.
In 1891 he purchased a lot on Treadwell Avenue, where he built his present attractive residence. In 1864 he was united in mar- riage with Miss Susan M. (Cromers), a daughter of Andrew Cromers. Their union has been blessed by the birth of three chil- dren, as follows: Charles A., born December 8, 1878; Amy, born June 8, 1886; and Thalia C., born April 16, 1889. Mr. Humeston is a loyal Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Humeston are members of Myrtle Lodge, No. 16, Daughters of Rebekah Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of Danbury. He also belongs to the Order of the Good Shepherd, No. 65.
SAAC H. HUTCHINSON, a well- known farmer of Litchfield, was born July 26, 1844, in Perry, Wyoming County, N. Y., where his father, Louis
Hutchinson, a native of Canaan, Conn., lived for some years, engaged as a millwright.
From Perry Mr. Louis Hutchinson went to Amenia, Dutchess County, where he was em- ployed five years. He then became head car- penter for the Harlem Railroad Company, and after a residence-of nine years in Millerton, N. Y., came to Litchfield, Conn., where for several years he followed his trade. From Litchfield he moved to Cornwall Bridge, and there made his home for the next two years. Then, returning to New York State, he erected a grist-mill in the vicinity of Wassaic, which he operated for ten years, at the expiration of which time he moved to Irondale, and later went to Millerton, where he died, aged seventy-six years. He married Olivia Hig- ley, of Binghamton, N. Y., by whom he had two children: Louis E., who resides in Mil- lerton, N. Y .; and Isaac 11., the subject of this sketch. The mother died in Millerton, aged eighty-two years.
Isaac H. Hutchinson received a common - school education, and acquired the mill- wright's trade of his father, with whom he worked for some time. In 1870 he came to Litchfield, and has since resided upon the Wheeler farm of two hundred acres, which he conducts with good results. The property is well located, and is devoted principally to diarying.
On January 22, 1860. Mr. Hutchinson WIS united in marriage with Jennie E Wheeler. daughter of Charles D. Wheeler, a well- known and highly esteemed citizen of Litch- field, a very successful farmer. Mr. Wheeler was born in Stonington, November 18, 1817. His grandfather, David Wheeler, was a n .- tive and lifelong resident of Stonington, prosperously engaged in farming. He was the father of nine children. Christopher Wheeler, son of David and father of Charles,
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moved with his wife and three children from Stonington to Litchfield, where he settled upon a farm which adjoins the property of his son. He became prominent in public affairs, and represented his district in the State legis- lature. Another son of David Wheeler was a member of the Connecticut House of Repre- sentatives for several years. Christopher Wheeler's wife, Orinda Galloupe, a native of Groton, Conn., became the mother of nine children, three of whom are still living, namely: Mrs. Jacob Morse, of Torrington; Mrs. Williamson; and Charles D.
Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson have had four children, namely: one who died in infancy ; Charles Wheeler Louis; Carrie May; and Mary Elizabeth, who died September 8, 1878, aged eight months. The son was graduated from Eastman's Business College at Pough- keepsie, N.Y., where he stood very high in his studies. The daughter was educated at Mrs. Cady's Ladies' Seminary in New Haven, Conn. Mr. Hutchinson is a Demo- crat in politics, and has served as Justice of the Peace. The family attend the Episcopal church.
ORENZO SAMUEL NASH, promi- nent among the prosperous farmers of Winchester, was born on the farm where he now resides, December 30, 1823, son of the late Alvah Nash. John Nash, his paternal grandfather, was of English ancestry, born probably in West Hartford, where he spent his youth and early manhood. He came from there to Winchester Centre to pursue his trade of a joiner, and subsequently bought the land now occupied by his grandson. He cleared a considerable part of it, and resided there for the remainder of his life. The maiden name of his wife was Esther Whiting, a native of Torrington and a daughter of
William Whiting. They reared a large family, of whom one son and four daughters lived more than fourscore years.
Alvah Nash, son of John Nash, was born in the homestead established by his father, and was reared to farming as it was pursued in pioneer times. After attaining his majority, he purchased a woollen mill, and engaged in the manufacture of cloth for a few years. Eventually succeeding to the paternal estate, he was afterwards engaged in general farming until his decease, which occurred in the eighty-eighth year of his age. He married Rebecca Sage, who was a daughter of Enos Sage, one of the most respected citizens of Colebrook. She lived to celebrate the eighty- second anniversary of her birth. Two chil- dren only were born to them: Susan and Lorenzo Samuel. The daughter, who died at the age of thirty-seven years, married Isaac A. Bronson, of this town.
Lorenzo Samuel Nash obtained his early education by attending the district school when it was in session. In the intervals he worked on the farm, becoming as familiar with its duties as with his studies. In 1849 he took a prospecting trip to the newer coun- try of the West, making Michigan his destina- tion. The facilities for travelling were not as great as now; but he chose the most ex- peditious route, going by stage to Canaan, thence by rail to Buffalo, where he took a boat for Detroit, and completing his journey to Memphis, Macomb County, by stage. After a stay of two months in that vicinity Mr. Nash returned. He has been the sole owner of the property since the death of his parents. He has made many valuable im- provements, including the erection of a sub- stantial stone house and other necessary buildings for successfully carrying on his work. The residence is finely situated on
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Maple Avenue, and commands a charming view of the surrounding country.
On January 28, 1852, Mr. Nash was united in marriage with Caroline E. Tuller, a native of Winchester, born November 30, 1827. Her father, Orin Tuller, was born in Sims- bury, Conn., the town in which his father, Thaddeus Tuller, spent his entire life. Orin Tuller came to Winchester when a lad of twelve years as an apprentice to his uncle, William Bunnell, a blacksmith, with whom he worked a number of years. He subse- quently bought a farm about a mile west of the centre of the town, and, erecting a black- smith's shop there, worked at his trade, and carried on general farming until his death, at the good old age of seventy-eight years. The maiden name of his wife, mother of Mrs. Nash, was Elizabeth Chase, a native of Win- chester, a daughter of Gedeliah and Rebecca (Dewey) Chase. She was a woman of great personal worth, a capable and faithful help- mate; and her death, at the age of sixty-four years, was a great loss to her family, and mourned by neighbors and many friends. The family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Nash includes three children; namely, Rebecca, Susan, and William L. Rebecca married Daniel Mur- ray, and has one daughter, Emily, and a son, Fred, aged three years. Susan, the wife of Wilbur Bronson, has five children : Theron, Marjorie, Wilbur B., Robert, and Helen. William h. has been twice married. His first wife, Ella G. Griswold before marriage, died at the age of twenty-three years, leaving two children: Florence and Rebecca. His second wife, formerly Catherine H. Spear, has borne him one daughter, Susan. The political creed of Mr. Nash is Democratic, while in religious opinions he is in sympathy with the tenets of the Congregational church, of which his good wife is a faithful member.
DWARD R. WOOSTER, of Bridge- water, a leading member of the farming community of this county, was born in this town, September 17, 1861, son of Peter and Caroline (Morris) Wooster. Ile belongs to one of the oldest families in the vicinity, the first of his line in Bridgewater being Jabez Wooster, son of Timothy, who was born in Derby in 1730, and who on Sep- tember 4, 1772, purchased one hundred acres of land in Bridgewater. Jabez Wooster cleared this property, and, erecting a set of good buildings, established there a comfort- able home, where he spent the rest of his life. IIc had but two sons: Peter and Isaac. Peter, who was the great grandfather of Ed- ward R. Wooster, was born in 1762, spent his life on the homestead, and died in 1798. He married Betsey Canfield; and they reared two children: John and Susannah. John, who was born in 1790, made the most of the advantages afforded by the district school, and became one of the best teachers of his day. According to the custom of those times, he taught only in the winter season, while he did farm work in the summer. He soon accumu- lated enough money to purchase his sister's interest in the homestead, to which he was much attached, and on which he made many improvements. In politics a Republican. he stood high in the esteem of his fellow-parti- sans. Ile was elected to the State legisl.i- ture, served as Selectman many terms, and filled other offices of less importance. John Wooster was esteemed by all who knew him. being an upright business man and always mindful of his neighbor's interest. He died at the age of sixty-eight. He married Jerusha, daughter of David Lockwood; and they reared four children: Mary E ... Peter, David, and Susan.
Peter Wooster, father of Edward R., was
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born April 6, 1820. He received a good edu- cation, and when a young man engaged like his father in teaching school. He followed this occupation intermittently until he was forty-five years of age. He then became in- terested in the manufacture of hats in Bridge- water, and was actively engaged in that busi . ness till 1871, when he bought the Trow- bridge farm. This property contained eighty acres of good land in a situation commanding one of the finest views in the State. Mr. Wooster remodelled the buildings, and made many improvements, spending his last days in the enjoyment of a model country home. In 1880 he was clected Representative to the legislature on the Democratic ticket, and he has filled in turn almost every office within the gift of the town. He died May 24, 1893. His wife, Caroline, born January 28, 1824, was a daughter of Roswell Morris, of Bridgewater. She died December 18, 1892. They were both members of the Episcopal church. Peter and Caroline (Morris) Wooster reared the following children: Laura, born June 14, 1847, who married Richard Randall, and died August 29, 1880, leaving one child - Jennie C .; John M., born September 5, 1850, who died January 14, 1856; Charles, born January 13, 1857, a physician and sur- geon of Tariffville, Conn., who married Mattie Adams, and has two children - Vivian and Charles; and Edward R., whose name heads this article.
Edward R. Wooster succeeded his father as owner of the homestead, and added by pur . chase thirty acres to the original property. He is successfully engaged in general farm- ing, making a specialty of tobacco and dairy products, and is one of the leading citizens of the town. He well sustains the high stand- ing of the family, so honorably represented by his father and grandfather. He has been
twice married. His first wife was Julia E., daughter of Bruce Beach, of Bridgewater. She died at the age of twenty-seven, leaving one child, Kate B., who was born September 28, 1886. Mr. Wooster subsequently married Mary L., daughter of Henry T. B. and Mary C. (French) Brown. Mr. Brown, who was a teacher of mathematics, died in 1873, at the age of forty-five. His wife died December 10, 1895, at the age of sixty-five. They were the parents of five children, namely: Henry S., married to Delia G. Shaw; George H .; Mary L., Mrs. Wooster; Alice; and Minnie. The last two died in childhood.
Politically, Mr. Wooster favors Democratic principles. He represented his town in the State legislature in 1895-96. In religious belief lie and his wife are Episcopalians.
AMES H. LINSLEY, a portrait of whom is here given, is a well-known and much esteemed citizen of Wood- bury, Litchfield County, Conn. He was born in this town, April 18, 1827, in a house which stood opposite his present residence. He is a son of Harvey J. and Mary (Summers) Linsley, and grandson of Daniel Linsley, a farmer of Branford, Conn., who lived and died in his native town.
Daniel Linsley married a Miss Jones, of Branford; and their son, Harvey J., was also a native of that town. He learned the cabi- net-maker's trade when a boy, and by economy and industry saved money enough to start in business in a small way as a cabinet-maker and undertaker. In 1822 he purchased a lot of land in Woodbury, where he built a small shop, and here engaged in the manufacture of household furniture. He brought with him a hearse; and, as it was the first one seen in the town, it was an object of wonder. His
JAMES H. LINSLEY.
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furniture business soon beginning to increase, he took in a number of apprentices, and en- larged his factory, which eventually grew to generous proportions, and was furnished with a horse-power to turn out bedsteads. This curious machinery his son has preserved. Mr. Harvey J. Linsley was reputed the finest mechanic ever known in Woodbury, and the fame of his skill spread far and near. His taste also was admirable, and the trees which he planted are to-day a pleasing ornament to the town. He became quite wealthy, and was a large property owner at the time of his death, which occurred in 1853. Politically, he was a member of the old Whig party. He was public-spirited and generous, and was universally respected. In religious belief he was a Congregationalist. Mr. Linsley was twice married. His first wife, Laura Clark, of Southington, died in 1824, leaving one daughter, Mary A. His second wife, Mary Summers, who was a daughter of William and Joanna Summers, of Huntington, died on Jan- uary 11, 1879, of old age. She was the mother of three children: James H., the sub- jeet of this sketch; Laura, wife of E. F. Bassett ; Jane, who died December 27, 1855, aged twenty-one years.
James H. Linsley received his education in the public schools of Woodbury. He served as an apprentiee under his father, and adopted his motto, "Good work always"; and in 1852 he took full charge of the business, disposing of the furniture manufacturing industry about 1880, but retaining the salesrooms and the undertaking department. In the mean while he devoted his spare time to farming and cattle-dealing, purchasing largely in the West. He has now for years carried on an extensive trade in live stock; and he owns several farms, including the Nathaniel Smith and the Curtis farms on Good Hill and the
Benedict and Minor farms on the Pomeraug River. His furniture business is in a flourishing condition; and, as he is the only undertaker in the town, the demand for him in that line is very great. He has had charge of over twenty-seven hundred funerals, in- eluding the obsequies of a number of centena- rians. Mr. Linsley inherits his father's fine taste; and his beautiful home, surrounded by well-kept lawns and shaded by magnificent elm-trees, which he planted in 1850, is one of the handsomest pieces of residential property in the county.
October 9, 1849, Mr. Linsley married Harriet E., daughter of John and Maria (Gil- bert) Curtis, of Woodbury, and received from his father a house and land for a wedding present. Mrs. Maria G. Linsley died in 1879, at the age of fifty. She was the mother of three children: Sarah E., born in September, 1851, who died March 13, 1871; Anna, who died June 18, 1869, in childhood : and Wilbur C., born in May, 1855. Mr. Linsley was again married, September 22. 1880, taking for his second wife Sarah E., daughter of Samuel Smith, of South Britain. Wilbur C. Linsley married Minnie Smith, of Woodbury, by whom he had one son, James L .; and after her death he married Kate Phinney, of Towanda, Penn., who bore him four children: Jessie P., Sarah, Malcolm, and Catherine. He and his family live in a house built for him by his father on a lot ad- joining the parental home.
Politically a Republican, Mr. James 11. Linsley represented the town in the legisla- ture in 1879 and 1887. He has been a De,- con of the First Congregational Church in Woodbury anl Treasurer of the society twenty-nine years. For forty-five years he has been a member of the choir, of which he was leader seventeen years ; and his pro-
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ficiency in music has caused a demand for his services as a singer on various public occa- sions.
EBBEUS J. WELCH, a thriving and industrious farmer of Cornwall and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Warren, Conn., March 12, 1835, son of Jason and Sarah (Bright) Welch. His first ancestor in this country was Thomas Welch, a native of Wales, who emigrated from that country to America. His son Paul, Mr. Welch's great-grandfather, followed the sea, and was engaged as a trader for some years between Bridgeport, Conn., and the West Indies. He subsequently settled in New Mil- ford, Conn., where he engaged in mercantile business, and was the first merchant in that town. His children were: David, John, Abner, Nathan, Jephthah, Irene, and Harriet. John Welch, grandfather of L. J. Welch, was born in New Milford, Conn., and followed the trade of a carpenter. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and at the close of his military experience took up his residence in Warren, Conn. He lived to reach the age of eighty-three years. He married Rispah Page, a native of Litchfield; and they reared two children: Jason and Lois. Mrs. John Welch · died at the age of sixty-six years. Jason Welch, father of our special subject, was born in Warren, and was a lifelong resident of that town. He adopted agriculture as an occupa- tion, and, being energetic and industrious, achieved a fair degree of success. He lived to be eighty-seven years old. His wife, Sarah Bright, daughter of Shores Bright, a native of New Jersey, became the mother of eight chil- dren; namely, Henriett, David, Noah, Evi, Antoinette, Teresia, Lebbeus J., and Mary.
Lebbeus J. Welch, after attending the schools of his native town, commenced busi-
ness life as a clerk, but subsequently relin- quished mercantile pursuits for farming. During the Civil War he served as a private in Company K, Second Regiment Heavy Artillery, Connecticut Volunteers. After receiving an honorable discharge, he laid down his gun, and once more took up the plough, in 1887 settling on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, situated in the eastern part of the town of Cornwall, where he has since resided. On November 10, 1864, Mr. Welch was united in marriage to Cathe- rine C. Williams, daughter of William R. and Julia A. (Holsapple) Williams, residents of West Winsted, Conn. Mr. and Mrs. Welch are the parents of eight children, namely : Fanny M .; Jason W. R .; Katie M .; Lelia Ann; Belle J. and John Buel, twins; Paul L .; and Warren Andrews. Mr. Welch is a member of St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 64, A. F. & A. M., and a comrade of Gregory Post, No. 59, Grand Army of the Republic.
ISS MARY PHELPS, an intelli- gent and cultured woman, re- spected and beloved by old and young, resides in a pleasant old house, facing Litchfield Common. This house, in which she was born, and which has been kept in ex- cellent repair, is one of the oldest in the lo- cality, and is one of the landmarks of the town, having been erected in 1782. It has been in the possession of the Lewis family since 1812, when it was bought by Luke Lewis, the grandfather of Miss Phelps.
Henry Phelps, father of Miss Phelps, was born in Simsbury, Hartford County, in 1800, son of Noah L. Phelps, also a native of Sims- bury. Jonathan Phelps, father of Noah and great-grandfather of Miss Phelps, was born and reared in Westfield, Mass., after which
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he lived in Simsbury for a few years. He as- sisted in clearing some of Connecticut's land from its vast forests, and was afterward a brave soldier in the French and Indian War. He subsequently removed to Swanzey, but re- turned to Simsbury before his death, which occurred at a ripe old age. His son Noah was reared in Simsbury, and spent a few years of his early life in Farmington. Here he subsequently purchased a tavern, and engaged in the hotel business, living there until his demise, in 1861.
Henry Phelps grew to man's estate in Farmington, and there embarked in a mercan- tile career, getting a good start. He subse- quently opened a store for general merchan- dise in Litchfield, established a prosperous trade, and became one of the leading mer- chants of the place. A few years prior to his deccase he gave up active business, living re- tired until summoned to his eternal rest, in 1868. He married Louisa Lewis, a daughter of Luke Lewis, who was a native of Goshen. Nehemiah Lewis, the grandfather of Luke and maternal great-great-grandfather of Miss Phelps, was one of the original settlers of Goshen. His son William, the next in line of descent, was a lifelong resident of that place, and there reared his family.
Luke Lewis came to Litchfield from the place of his nativity when a young man, and established the first drug store in this local- ity. He had a successful business for many years before his death, which occurred in 1839. He was closely identified with local affairs, and was widely and favorably known throughout this section of Litchfield County. In 1812 he bought the house now owned and occupied by his grand-daughter, Miss Phelps, as above stated. He reared a family of five daughters, of whom Louisa, who became the wife of Henry Phelps, was the only one to
marry. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Phelps, only Mary reached maturity. The mother survived her husband many years, dying in 1889, at the venerable age of eighty- seven years. Like her ancestors, she was a devoted member of the Congregational church. Both she and her husband when quite young united with that organization, and were firm believers in the tenets of that de- nomination. When the infirmities of age began to tell upon her native strength, her eyes growing dim and her steps feeble, she was tenderly cared for by her daughter Mary, who sought to anticipate her every want. Miss Phelps is a worthy representative of both the Lewis and Phelps families, and is highly esteemed throughout the community.
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