USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Litchfield County, Connecticut > Part 28
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Frank H. Lee acquired the foundation of his education in the common and high schools of his native town. After graduating from the high school, he began the study of medicine with Dr. H. H. Smith. . He com- pleted his preliminary studies with Dr. F. L. Smith, and entered the Albany Medical Col- lege, from which he was graduated with honor in 1888, receiving a prize for a complete report of the surgical clinics at the Albany Hospital. Dr. Lee was a student with Dr. A. Vanderveer, and had exceptional opportunities for obtaining a practical knowledge of his pro- fession. Upon completing his medical course, Dr. Lee commenced practice in Canaan, where he has since acquired an excellent reputation as a skilful and reliable practitioner, the demand for his services steadily increasing. He is medical examiner for several life insur- ance companies, including the Traveller's of Hartford and the Washington of New York. His practice extends over a wide section, and he has a large number of patients in the adja- cent towns. In November, 1890, Dr. Lee was united in marriage to Ada Strong, daugh-
ter of George Strong, of Canaan. He is a representative of one of the oldest New Eng- land families, and is a gentleman possessing many intellectual attainments. Dr. Lee is a member of both the County and the State Medical Societies.
EORGE S. LYMAN, who owns and manages a productive farm in War- ren, was born in Glastonbury, Conn., August 30, 1817, son of Dr. Norman and Eu- nice (Smith) Lyman. Mr. Lyman's grandpar- ents, David and Mary (Brown) Lyman, were residents of New Hartford, Conn., where David Lyman was for many years an industri- ous miller. They both lived to reach an ad- vanced age, and their children were: Orange, David, John, Daniel, Elijah, Norman, Sam- uel, and Mary. Norman Lyman was born in New Hartford, and was educated for the medi- cal profession. He first settled in Glaston- bury, Conn., where he ably practised his profession for fifteen years, removing then to Warren, in which place he was similarly en- gaged for the rest of his life. He was a skil- ful physician and a useful citizen, possessing the esteem and confidence of the entire commu- nity. His death occurred when he was sixty- two years old. His wife, Eunice Smith, daughter of Eli Smith, of Litchfield, became the mother of seven children, as follows: Sid- ney; Mary; George S., the subject of this sketch; Edward; Jonathan; Mary (second) ; and Eunice. Mrs. Dr. Lyman, like her hus- band, died at the age of sixty-two.
George S. Lyman passed his boyhood and youth in Warren, and received his education in the common schools of that town. After com- pleting his studies, he taught school for four terms, and then engaged in agricultural pur- suits, which has since been his occupation.
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He owns two hundred and seventy-five acres of well-improved land, upon which he conducts general farming, carrying into the exercise of his calling those essential qualities of fore- thought, energy, and thrift that characterize the typical New England farmer.
In 1840 Mr. Lyman was united in marriage to Mary Sackett, daughter of Justus Sackett, of Warren. She died aged seventy-five years, leaving two children, namely: Eunice, who is the widow of Orlando P. Kingman, and has two children - Edward and Marion; and Ed- ward. Mr. Lyman is a Republican in poli- tics, and in religious views a Congrega- tionalist.
RS. HARRIET W. FORBES, an esteemed resident of Woodbury and widow of the late Mr. Loren Forbes, is the daughter of Guy and Nancy (Lum) Walker. She belongs to a family whose history is connected with the settlement of the provinces and the city of Boston. Mrs. Forbes's earliest American ancestor was Robert Walker, born about 1606, and a resi- dent of Boston until 1684. His son, the Rev. Zechariah Walker, had a pastorate in Jamaica, Long Island, from 1663 to 1668. He received ordination in the Presbysterian church, and became pastor of the Second Church in Strat- ford on the 15th of May, 1670. Parson 'Zech- ariah and his wife, Susannah Walker, had a son, who bore his father's name and was a Deacon in the church. The second Zechariah married Elizabeth Bull. Their son, Peter, was wedded to Rhoda Sherman. To Peter and Rhoda Walker was born a son, whom they named Peter, and who married Miss Annis Minor. Peter and Annis Walker were the parents of Guy, born in 1788, the father of Mrs. Forbes.
Mr. Guy Walker, who was a carpenter by
trade, left his native place in. 1824, and mi- grated to Florida. Here, on a plantation two miles from St. Augustine, he settled with his family ; but about fifteen months after, find- ing the climate unhealthy, he moved to Charleston, S.C., finally becoming a resident of Baltimore, Md., where he lived for four years. Here he died in 1829, leaving a widow and six children. Mrs. Walker returned to Woodbury after her husband's death, bringing her daughter, the one child living, with her. The children were : John C., who died young ; Charles B., who was drowned off the coast of Florida; Mary S., who died in Baltimore : Harriet, of whom this sketch is written; Laura, who also died during their sojourn in Balti- more; and Jane, who died in her fourth year.
Harriet Walker was united in marriage to Loren Forbes, of Woodbury, Conn., April 21. 1844. Mr. Forbes was energetic and industri- ous from his boyhood. At fifteen years of age he was employed on the farm of Mr. Asa Minor, remaining until he attained his majority. Hle then was engaged by Mr. Noah Benedict, farm- ing for him until 1844, the year of his mar- riage, after which he hired his employer's farm for seventeen years. He then purchased the estate known as the Morris farm, upon which his widow now resides. This tract of land is located in Hazel Plain, District No. 0, of Woodbury. Mr. Forbes was a cattle dealer as well as farmer, and was accustomed to driving his herds to the markets of New York, New Haven, and Boston. After some years he turned his whole attention to agriculture. He was a member of the First Congregational Church, with which he connected himself in 1831. He was a Republican, and during his life his neighbors showed their esteem for him by intrusting to him sundry town offices Mrs. Forbes was left a widow on the 10th of January, 1883, her husband having lived to the
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good old age of seventy-six years. A son and daughter blessed their union. They were : Mary W., born February 8, 1845, who is a teacher; and William, whose birth occurred October 18, 1851. The latter is a brick and stone mason and a stone-carver by trade. Though bereaved of the companion of her ear- lier years, Mrs. Forbes has still the interests of her children's lives to solace her. As she still lives at the homestead, she is surrounded by the treasured associations of her wedded life.
OBERT W. IRWIN, a thriving young farmer of the town of Washington, was born in Liverpool, England, February 4, 1864, son of John and Catherine (Allwell) Irwin. Mr. Irwin's father, who was a native of Ireland, went to Liverpool, where he resided during the remainder of his life. His wife, Catherine Allwell, was daughter of Grant Allwell. Their children were: Andrew, who married Sarah Hegnot ; Crayton ; James; Sarah, who became Mrs. Marshall; and Robert W., whose name heads this sketch. John Irwin died at the age of fifty-five years, and his wife at forty years.
Robert W. Irwin passed his early years in England. At the age of fourteen he came to the United States, and settled in the town of Washington, this county. He engaged in farming, which he prosecuted with vigor, hav- ing in view the establishment at some day of a home of his own. By the exercise of dili- gence and thrift he has been able to attain his modest ambition, and now owns a finely located and well-improved farm. In 1888 Mr. Irwin was united in marriage to Sophia Siessenbyt- tle, daughter of Andrew Siessenbyttle, of New York City. Mr. Irwin is a Republican in politics. In his religious views he is a Congregationalist.
R ALPH I. CRISSEY, who owns and formerly operated a granite quarry in the northern part of the town of Norfolk, Conn., was born in this town, Febru- ary 4, 1833, son of Benjamin W. and Eunice (Burr) Crissey. His paternal grandfather, Israel Crissey, a native of Woodbury, Conn., whose birth occurred on March 31, 1764, first settled in Colebrook, but subsequently moved to Norfolk. He was married February 7, 1788, to Alice Woodruff, daughter of Heze- kiah Woodruff, of Colebrook; and they became the parents of four children, namely : Mehit- able, who was born July 21, 1789, married Seth Barbour, and died September 8, 1830; Benjamin W .; Alice, born June 15, 1793, died September 3, 1861 ; and Olive, who was born February 28, 1795, became the second wife of Seth Barbour, and died February 3, 1865. Israel Crissey died at his home in Nor- folk, December 6, 1833; and his wife, April 24, 1834.
Benjamin W. Crissey, father of our direct subject, was born May 19, 1791. He was trained to farm work, inherited part of his father's estate, and, becoming a prosperous farmer and dealer in stock, added to his landed possessions until he owned over four hundred acres. He belonged to the Agricultural Soci- ety, and was prominent in town politics, serv- ing at different times in nearly all the local offices. He was also an active and valued mem- ber of the Congregational church. His death took place on October 28, 1864. His wife, Eunice Burr, whom he married March 4, 1828, was born January 14, 1797. She was the mother of four children : Warren, born March 5, 1831; Ralph I., whose name appears at the head of this sketch; Olive E., born April 6, 1835; and Theron W., born April 1, 1837. Mrs. Eunice B. Crissey died February 8, 1882.
RALPH I. CRISSEY.
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Ralph I. Crissey was trained to agriculture, and remained at home with his parents until their death. He then entered the employ of the Barnum Richardson Company, with whom he remained for twenty-five years. At the pres- ent time, besides his other business, he owns and conducts a farm of two hundred acres. He is a true blue Republican in politics, and cast his first Presidential vote for General Fremont, the "Pathfinder." He has served his town with credit as Selectman, Assessor, and as Justice of the Peace. He also repre- sented his district in the legislature in 1867 and again in 1883. He is a member of West- ern Star Lodge, No. 37, A. F. & A. M.
Mr. Crissey was married on June 6, 1861, to Cornelia Seymour, daughter of Samuel Sey- mour. She was born April 18, 1834, and died March 26, 1866, leaving two children, namely : Isabella, Mrs. Winthrop Conc, born April 21, 1863; and Cornelia, born March 21, 1866, who died March 8, 1883. On August 29, 1871, Mr. Crissey married Mrs. Prudence (Murray) Curtiss, who died August 30, 1881, without issue. Mr. Crissey's third wife is Mary E. Buell, daughter of H. G. Buell, a well-known iron manufacturer of Colchester, Conn. By this union there are no children. Mr. Crissey is a member of the Congregational church, and the family is one highly esteemed in Norfolk and the vicinity.
The portrait placed opposite the beginning of the foregoing sketch will be recognized as a good likeness of the gentleman whose name it bears, Mr. Ralph I. Crissey.
EORGE F. PRITCHARD, a well- known blacksmith of Watertown and an ex-member of the legislature, was born Angust 17, 1838, son of Benjamin and Mary (Pritchard) Pritchard. Mr. Pritchard's
great-grandfather, Benjamin Pritchard, was an early settler in Waterbury, Conn., where he followed the blacksmith's trade with success until his death, which took place when he was forty-six years old. His son Asher, Mr. Pritchard's grandfather, was a native of Water- bury. He followed his father's calling in the town of his birth, and subsequently in Water- town, to which place he moved in 1820. He reared a family of five children, three sons and two daughters, and lived to the advanced age of ninety-two years.
Benjamin Pritchard, Mr. Pritchard's father, was born in Waterbury, and learned the black- smith's trade from his father in Watertown. He engaged in business for himself in Water- bury, later returning and joining with his father upon the site now occupied by his son in Watertown. He died at the age of seventy three years. Ilis wife, who was a daughter of Isaac Pritchard, a prosperous farmer of Water- bury, became the mother of four children, of whom George F., the subject of this sketch, is the only survivor. She died in Watertown, aged twenty-nine years. Both parents were Episcopalians, as were their ancestors for many generations.
George F. Pritchard supplemented the edu- cation he received in the common schools by a course at the Watertown Academy. His boy hood and youth were passed with his grand father, of whom he acquired the blacksmith's trade. At the age of twenty-two he went to Oakville, where for two years he was employed as a forger in a machine shop. In 1865 he re- turned to Watertown, and engaged in business at his present location, where he has since continued with prosperity, and is now the old est and best known workman in his locality. He is a Democrat in politics, and has long been a leading spirit in local public affairs, serving with ability as Collector, for three
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years as a member of the School Board, and in 1889 and 1890 he represented his town in the legislature. He is a member of Federal Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Watertown, in which he has held all the offices, having been its Master for two years and Treasurer for sev- eral years.
Mr. Pritchard has been twice married. In 1870 he first married Esther Jackson, daughter of William Jackson, a well-to-do farmer of Bethlehem. She died at the age of thirty- one; and he wedded in 1885, for his second wife, Elizabeth, a sister of his first wife. Mr. Pritchard enjoys a wide reputation as an intelligent, upright, and useful citizen and a public official who has served the town faith- fully and with credit. He actively supports the Episcopalian church, of which he is a Vestryman.
AMES GUERNSEY CURTISS, one of the leading farmers of Woodbury, was born on the old Curtiss homestead, opposite his present residence, August 8, 1835. His parents were David H. and Anna (Guernsey) Curtiss. William Curtiss, the ear- liest known ancestor, came from London in 1632, and settled in Scituate, Mass. David Stiles and Sybil (Huntington) Curtiss were the grandparents of the subject of this sketch.
David H. Curtiss was born in 1796, on the old homestead. At the age of sixteen he be- came a teacher, in which profession he was engaged for thirteen years. In the course of time he bought out the other heirs to the old Curtiss farm. To this he added more land, until there were about three hundred acres. On it he conducted general farming in accord- ance with the most enlightened principles.
Mr. Curtiss was twice married. Maria (Summers) Curtiss, his first wife, died while a young woman, leaving no children. Anna
(Guernsey) Curtiss, the second wife, had four children, as follows: a son, who died in in- fancy ; Maria, who died at the age of two and a half years; James G. ; and David Curtiss.
James Guernsey Curtiss inherited the part of his father's farm on which he now lives. Since taking possession of it, he has remod- elled the buildings and made many other improvements.
In politics Mr. Curtiss is a Republican. He has been Selectman for two terms, and he has also served on the Board of Relief. In 1877 he represented the town in the legisla- ture. He is a man of progressive ideas.
On May 17, 1860, he was united in mar- riage to Mary J. Stiles, daughter of Henry B. and Patty (Seeley) Stiles. Henry B. was a son of Benjamin Stiles. Mr. and Mrs. Henry B. Stiles had three children : Mary J., Ellen, and Alice. Mrs. James Guernsey Curtiss died in September, 1893, at the age of sixty, leav- ing seven children. These are: Henry, who owns an adjoining farm, married to Frances Eyre; Anna S., married to D. L. Somers; Nellie, who married Harry Barnes, lives in Watertown, and has two children - Edna and Merritt ; James G., a teamster, married to Alma Bassett, who lives in Ansonia, and has one child, James G .; Flora, who married Lyman W. Garrington, lives in Ansonia, and has lost two children; George S., who died young ; and Eva M. Curtiss, who died at the age of nine. Mr. Curtiss is a member of the Episcopal church, to which his wife also be- longed prior to her death.
OHN CHAPIN BRINSMADE, prin- cipal of the Gunnery, a noted school in Washington, Conn., was born in Springfield, Mass., April 24, 1852, son of William B. and Charlotte (Chapin) Brins-
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made. On the paternal side he is descended from the Rev. Daniel Brinsmade, who, gradu- ating from Yale College in 1745, settled in Washington in the latter part of the eigh- teenth century, and acted for many years as pastor of the Judea Congregational church. His son Daniel, who also was a graduate of Yale, with the class of 1772, was a promi- nent man in the district and a member of the State Convention for the ratification of the Constitution of the United States.
William B. Brinsmade, the father of the subject of this sketch, likewise claimed Yale as his Alma Mater, graduating from that in- stitution in 1840. He was a man of unusual intelligence and executive ability, and was for a long time superintendent of the Connecticut Railroad. His wife was a daughter of Colo- nel Harvey Chapin, a descendant in the sixth generation of Deacon Samuel Chapin, who settled in Springfield in 1642.
John Chapin Brinsmade attended the schools of Springfield, took a course of study at the Gunnery, and graduated from Harvard in 1874. In the fall of 1874 he became as- sistant teacher at the Gunnery, and in 1881, on the death of the principal, took full charge of the school. It is one of the finest insti- tutions in the county. With a campus com- prising twenty acres, it is beautifully situated in Washington village. Many distinguished men have studied within its walls, as evi- deuced by the presence on its rolls of names well known throughout the country. This school Mr. Gunn conducted successfully up to the time of his death, and it has lost none of its prestige since his son-in-law has assumed the management.
In 1876 Mr. Brinsmade was united in mar- riage with Mary G. Gunn, daughter of F. W. Gunn, the founder of the Gunnery. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Brinsmade has been
brightened by seven children, namely: Fred- erick G .; William, who died in his eleventh year; Chapin; Eleanor; Mary; John C., Jr. ; and Charlotte B. In politics Mr. Brinsmade is a Republican. He is not an aspirant for office, but creditably represented his district in the legislature of 1892. In religious be- lief Mr. and Mrs. Brinsmade are Congrega- tionalists.
NSON H. SQUIRES, an extensive farmer of the Merryall District in the town of New Milford, and for- merly a member of the Connecticut legisla- ture, was born upon the farm he now owns and occupies, September 9. 1846, son of John N. and Lucy (Segar) Squires. Mr. Squires's great-grandfather, Thomas Squires, who was a native of Fairfield, Conn., followed the sea as master of a trading-vessel. While at the Island of St. Bartholomew he died of yellow fever, leaving with a wife his son Anson, grandfather of Mr. Squires. The widow set- tled in Marble Dale, this county, where she became the wife of Joseph Smith; and Anson Squires at the age of seven years went to live with John Morehouse. At the age of fifteen he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade. which he followed as an occupation tor many years; and, being industrious and possessed of good judgment, he became successful. Ile invested in real estate, and built and operated n distillery, employing a large number of men in his business enterprises, and at the time of his death owned eleven hundred acres of land, situated in the northern part of New Milton. He was a Whig in politics, serving in many of the town offices, and was a liberal, public. spirited man. He died March 11, 1573. He married Barbara Lyon, and reared a family of five children, as follows: Lucy M., born April 24, 1817: Samuel E., born May 15.
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1819; John M., born November II, 1823; George S., born August 27, 1831 ; and Mary A., born June 29, 1833. The mother died March 10, 1873, and the father on the follow- ing day. They were buried together in one grave. Both were Episcopalians in their re- ligious belief.
John M. Squires, Mr. Squires's father, adopted agriculture as an occupation, and in early manhood purchased the Kenney prop- erty, which adjoins the farm where he now re- sides. After improving it to some extent, he sold it, and bought his present property. The buildings, having been destroyed by fire, were rebuilt in 1882. Besides farming suc- cessfully, he has dealt quite extensively in real estate, and is at the present time the owner of several pieces of valuable farm prop- erty. He has also been a prominent cattle dealer in that district, and gives consider- able attention to dairying. He is a Demo- crat in politics, has been a Justice of the Peace, and rendered good service to the town during the two terms he served it as a mem- ber of the Board of Selectmen. His wife, Lucy (Segar) Squires, whom he married Octo- ber 3, 1842, was a daughter of Heman Segar. She became the mother of three children, namely : Anson H., the subject of this sketch ; Henry, who resides at home; and Hattie, wife of E. A. Peet. The mother died in 1892.
Anson H. Squires commenced his education in the district schools of New Milford, and completed his studies at the Bridgeport Busi- ness College. At the age of twenty-one he went to reside with his grandparents. He conducted their farm during their latter years, and succeeded to its ownership at their death. It contains two hundred acres of land, and is desirable for its healthy location and pictur- esque surroundings. Mr. Squires has im- proved the property by remodelling the old
buildings and erecting new ones. He has been a large and successful tobacco raiser, and at the present time owns a valuable farm in the town of Kent.
On November 7, 1867, Mr. Squires was united in marriage to Alice M. Barton, daughter of Edward P. and Melissa J. (Worthy) Barton. Mr. Barton, who was born in Stamford, N. Y., August 14, 1819, had been in business as a merchant until 1875, when he bought a farm of two hundred and fifty acres, situated in the town of New Mil- ford. His wife, who was born April 26, 1820, is the mother of three children; namely, Edwin L., Alice M., and Mary E. Mr. and Mrs. Squires have one son, named Charles A., who was born October 24, 1873, and resides at home.
Mr. Squires is a Democrat in politics, was a member of the Connecticut. House of Repre- sentatives during the years 1883, 1891, and 1893, and in 1895 was elected Selectman.
RS. ADELAIDE NORTHROP, of Roxbury, widow of the late An- drew Northrop is a daughter of Elisha A. and Maria (Peck) Weller. She is descended from Thomas and Elizabeth Weller, who emigrated from England, and settled at what is now called Weller's Bridge, in the town of Roxbury. Thomas Weller, who in due course became a large farmer and land- owner, built a house upon rising ground just north of the present Weller homestead, and is supposed to have attained an advanced age. His wife, who died September 18, 1770, aged seventy-nine years, was the mother of five children; namely, Daniel, Zaccheus, Rose, Mary, and Abigail. Daniel Weller, who in- herited a portion of his father's property, and became a prosperous farmer, built for himself
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a house, which is still in the family's posses- sion, and died September 21, 1816, aged eighty-eight years, bequeathing to his chil- dren by his will, which was executed April 13, 1816, the means for each to make a good start in life. He married Jerusha Squires, and his children were: Margaret, Parnell, Mary, Jerusha, Experience, David, Thomas, Matthew, Daniel, and Bashtile. His wife, Jerusha, died May 18, 1816, aged eighty-four years.
Captain David Weller learned the black- smith's trade, and carried on that business successfully for many years. He succeeded to the possession of the homestead; and he erected a new house, which still stands. The nails, fastenings, and other iron-work used in its construction were made in his shop by hand. He was for some time a Lieu- tenant in the Thirteenth Regiment of the State militia, and was subsequently commis- sioned a Captain. He died April 2, 1845, aged seventy years. In politics he was a Democrat, and in his religious views an Epis- copalian. He married Lydia Andrews, who bore him two children, namely: Adeline, who married John Castle; and Elisha A. The mother died July 15, 1869, aged eighty- seven years.
Elisha A. Weller was born upon the home farm, November 20, 1808; and his birth took place in a house which stands near the present residence of his daughter. He inherited the homestead, and in carly manhood engaged in the manufacture of woollen hats. He fol- lowed this occupation for some years, when it became unprofitable; and he turned his atten- tion to the cultivation of his farm, and in 1839 built the present substantial residence. Hle was a man of much public spirit, a Demo- crat in politics, took an active interest in public affairs, served with ability in all of the
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