USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Litchfield County, Connecticut > Part 30
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ENRY WELCOME WOODRUFF, an enterprising business man and a well-known philanthropist of Wash- ington, was born in that town, November 13, 1837, son of Luman and Eunice (Bills) Wood- ruff. Luman Woodruff was born in Washing- ton in 1803. When quite young, he received an accidental injury which caused the paralysis of his left arm. This incapacitated him for manual labor ; but he was very successful as a business man, and for many years was engaged as .a drover. He died February 6, 1888. His
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wife, Eunice, who was born in 1811 in Tol- land County, Connecticut, died March 17, 1891. Seven children blessed their union, namely : Jane, born in 1835, who married Dan- iel Taylor, and has had six children - Frank, Sidney, Daniel, Lizzie (Mrs. Douglas), Fred, and Grace (Mrs. Sanford), all but Sidney and Fred being married; Henry W., the subject of this article; Isaac, born in 1839, who died in 1884; Caroline, who married a Mr. Taylor for her first husband, George Schenck for her second, and William Bailey for her third, and has one son, Frank Taylor; Sarah, born in 1844, now Mrs. Churchill, and mother of one child, Bertha ; David C., born in 1849; Abner, born in 1852, who married Ida Durgey, and has one child, Lena M.
Henry W. Woodruff, after acquiring the rudiments of his education in the district schools of his native town, studied for some time at the Gunnery, the noted finishing school in Washington village. At the age of sixteen he began to learn the carpenter's trade, and in 1859 took up the manufacture of turned handles for axes and other tools, a calling in which he was successfully engaged for ten years. He then disposed of his business, and engaged in a mercantile enterprise in Wash- ington Green for five years. By that time he was convinced that he could do better at his original calling, and he repurchased his old shop and resumed the manufacture of turned handles, etc. He was burned out three years afterward, and he was obliged to rebuild. About this time a company, organized for the purpose of manufacturing matches in the town, engaged Mr. Woodruff to do the work for them. This he did for three years, managing simultaneously the handle shop, the match factory, and a saw-mill. He retained the handle business for five years after rebuilding the shop, and then took up the
manufacture of wagons and carriages, to- gether with the repairing of old vehicles. His carriage business likewise proved a suc- cess, and is now in a flourishing condition ; while his saw-mill has an annual output of three hundred thousand feet of lumber. He gives constant employment to a number of men, and is an important factor in the business life of the locality. Some time ago, at New Preston Depot, he purchased a tract of wild brush land, which is now the site of five cosey homes. He has materially aided in the up- building of Washington, and is generally recognized as a public benefactor.
In 1860 Mr. Woodruff was married to Martha M. Warner, daughter of Charles J. Warner, of Washington village. She died March 1, 1879, at the age of thirty-eight years. She had but one child. Helen, born May 7, 1873, who died November 8 of the same year. In 1880 Mr. Woodruff contracted a second marriage, his bride being Amelia Lyons, daughter of David and Charlotte (Dart) Lyons, of Sheffield, Mass. David Lyons was a rope-maker, and worked at his trade for many years. His last years were spent at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff, where he died at the age of seventy-one. His wife is yet liv. ing, and is now in her seventy-third year. She also makes her home with the Wood- ruffs. They reared six children, namch : Hannah, wife of Truman Shores, who has two children - Merritt C. and Fred S. ; George: Frank, who married Emma Grant, and has sis children - Mary, Charles H., Elsie, Lottie. Frankie, and Lester; Addie, wife of George Decker, who has eight children - Ida, Archie. John, Cora, Louis, Nellie, Mand, and Mm nie ; Amelia; and Lorinda, wife of Charles Northrop.
In politics Mr. Woodruff favors the Repub lican party. In his religious beliet he is a
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Congregational. He is a public-spirited and large-hearted man. His open-handed generos- ity has earned for his residence the name of the "Transient's Home."
OBERT LITTLE, a prosperous farmer and extensive land-owner of Salis- bury, in the north-west part of Litchfield County, Connecticut, was born in Sheffield, Mass., October 4, 1822. His par- ents, Ralph and Maria (Fox) Little, were both natives of East Haddam, Conn. Ralph Little was a merchant in the early part of his life, and later devoted his time and strength to agriculture. He lived for many years in Sheffield, dying at the age of seventy-two. He was twice married. His first wife, Maria Fox, the daughter of Robert Fox, of East Haddam, died at the age of thirty-six, leaving six children : Lucius, Ralph, Robert, Annie, Frank, and Augusta. Mr. Little's second wife, Louisa, daughter of E. Royce, of Shef- field, died at the age of fifty-six.
Robert Little worked for some time when a young man as clerk in a store. In 1842 he settled on the farm that he now owns, which is located in the eastern part of Salisbury, on the Housatonic River. This part of Salis- bury is rich in history, the first white child born in the town having opened its eyes to the light on this farm, and a lot near the river, called "the Fort lot," being the site of the block-house to which the whites retreated in time of danger from the Indians. This farm, when Mr. Little purchased it, containcd one hundred and forty acres; and he has added to it till now it covers three hundred and forty acres. He also owns two other farms, one of one hundred and fifty-two acres and one of one hundred and ten acres, all finely improved. Mr. Little is extensively
engaged in general farming, in which he has been very successful.
In 1844 he was united in marriage with Cornelia M. Eldred, daughter of Erastus and Maria (Ball) Eldred, of Salisbury. After full fifty years of wedlock Mrs. Little passed from earth on March 7, 1895, at the age of seventy-three. She was the mother of one daughter, Minnie Little, who married Elson Hornbeck, and died at the age of twenty- two.
Mr. Little has a beautiful home. The estate is very appropriately called Elm Farm, being adorned with some of the finest elms in the vicinity. One handsome tree, just op- posite the house, is said to be the largest spreading elm for the size of the trunk ever known.
The accompanying portrait of Mr. Robert Little will be recognized and appreciated by the friends and acquaintances of this esti- mable gentleman.
HARLES POMEROY, of Gaylords- ville, in the town of New Milford, a dealer in lumber and builder's hardware, lime, cement, and phosphate, was born in Franklin, Delaware County, N. Y., October 12, 1834, son of Wesley and Sophro- nia (Hendrix) Pomeroy. Mr. Pomeroy's grand- parents were Seymour and Clarissa (Gibbons) Pomeroy, the former of whom was a native of Massachusetts. In early manhood he went to Delaware County, New York, where he purchased a large tract of wild land, which was covered with heavy timber; and he be- came one of the first settlers in that region. He began the task of establishing a home by building a rude cabin to shelter his family from the storms and wild animals which abounded in the forest; and by patient indus-
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ROBERT LITTLE.
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try and perseverance he at length succeeded in clearing and cultivating a farm. He cut his timber, and rafted it down the river to market, continued to clear and improve more land until he possessed a valuable farm of three hundred and fifty acres, most of which was eligible to cultivation. He became a very prominent citizen in the town of Frank- lin. Seymour and Clarissa Pomeroy both lived to reach the advanced age of eighty years; and their children who lived to ma- turity were as follows: Wesley, William, Orle, Mark, Harvey, Hannah, Sally, Jane, and Martha.
Wesley Pomcroy, Mr. Pomeroy's father, was born in Franklin, Delaware County, N. Y., and was reared to farm life. When a young man, he bought sixty acres of his father's farm, upon which he commenced farming on his own account; and, realizing a profitable return for his labor, he added more land at intervals, until he possessed three hundred and twenty acres in all. He con- ducted general farming and stock-raising suc- cessfully until his death, which occurred at the age of eighty-four. His wife, Sophronia Ilendrix, became the mother of ten children, namely: Seymour; Charles, the subject of this sketch; Murray; Ariel; Orle; Clinton ; Jane; Martha; Emma; and Julia. The mother died at the age of sixty years.
Charles Pomeroy received his education in the district schools of his native town and at the Franklin Institute. He followed agricult- ure until 1883, when he bought the Graves farm of forty-eight acres in Gaylordsville. Conn., together with a tract of sixty acres, situated upon Long Mountain. He then established himself in the lumber business. He enlarged and remodelled the residence and out-buildings, erected a storehouse for lumber and another for his lime, cement, hardware,
etc., which contains his business office; and his equipment for the special line of trade in which he is engaged is suitable and conven- ient. Since opening his business, he has se- cured a large and profitable trade; and, con- sidering the industrious character of the proprietor, it may be safely inferred that his future business prosperity is assured.
In 1861 Mr. Pomeroy was united in mar- riage to Josephine Hallock, his first wife. who was a daughter of Homer Hallock. She died in 1875, leaving one son, named Henry H., who was born September 17, 1862. In 1878 Mr. Pomeroy married for his second wife Mary E. Helsten, daughter of Eric and Mary (Harty) Helsten. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Henry H. Pomeroy, Mr. Pomeroy's only son, is extensively engaged in farming and cattle raising. He owns two valuable farms, situated upon Long Mountain. and is one of the leading business men in his locality. On December 5. 1885. he wedded Edna Chase, daughter of John Chase, and has one son, named Charles C., who was born October 28, 1888.
ATHANIEL M. STRONG. an enter- prising druggist and general merchant of North Woodbury and an ev- member of the legislature, was born in Woodbury, April 6, 18.40, son of Nathaniel 1. and Mary R. (Miner) Strong. The first ancestor of the family in America was lohn Strong, a native of Taunton, England, who emigrated to New England about the year 1638. lle settled in Woodbury in the von 1700, was engaged in farming, and raised a family of eight children. His third son, Preserved Strong, married Esther Stoddart. by whom he became the father of five chil.
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dren. Anthony, his fourth child, was Mr. Strong's great-grandfather.
Anthony Strong was born in Woodbury, December 9, 1759. When a young man, he went to the town of Washington, where he engaged in operating mills for a number of years. In 1817 he returned to Woodbury, and settled at the old family homestead, now owned by F. T. Strong; and he resided there until his death, which took place in 1829. He served as a private in the Revolutionary War, but subsequently was a Captain in the State militia. He married Phebe Curtis, and had three children; namely, Phebe, Anthony C., and Nathaniel. Anthony C. Strong, Mr. Strong's grandfather, was born September 7, 1792. He assisted his father in running the mills in Worthington, and later became a successful farmer in Woodbury, where he passed the rest of his life. He married Julia Lambert, and raised a family of four children, namely: Nathaniel L., Mr. Strong's father; Henry P .; Willis A .; and Frederick T. The grandparents each lived to an advanced age.
Nathaniel L. Strong was born in Woodbury in March, 1821. When a young man, he en- gaged in farming upon his own account, pur- chasing and settling upon the property now owned by Julius Galpin. He was indus- trious in his calling and an exemplary citi- zen. He was engaged in agriculture until his death, which took place when he was fifty- nine years old. In politics he was a Repub- lican. He served with ability in several of the important town offices, and he was a mem- ber of the Congregational church. His first wife, in maidenhood Mary R. Miner, to whom he was married in 1846, was a daughter of Nathaniel Miner. She died at the age of thirty-five, leaving one son, Nathaniel M., the subject of this sketch. His second wife
was Mary (Bryan) Strong, who had no chil- dren.
Nathaniel M. Strong, after receiving a good education in the schools of his native town, taught school for six years. He then engaged as a clerk in the store kept by W. A. Strong. After spending one year in this employment, he joined his employer in erecting the build- ing known as Strong's Block and in fitting up and starting a large store for the drug and hardware business. The two had conducted the store unitedly for about eight years, when in 1885 Nathaniel purchased his partner's in- terest, added a full line of groceries, paints, and oils, etc., and since has successfully con- tinued the business alone. He is a member of the First Congregational Church, and in politics he supports the Republican party. He has served as School Visitor, was for three years a member of the Board of Education, and represented his town in the legislature in 1889. He is a member of the Order of American Mechanics and of the Foresters. He is highly esteemed in both business and social circles as a progressive and enterprising merchant and citizen.
Mr. Strong married for his first wife Mar- garet Lambert, daughter of Henry Lambert, who died, leaving no children. He married for his second wife Julia Miner, daughter of Solomon B. Miner, of Waterbury. Mr. and Mrs. Strong have had two children; namely, Frank and a daughter. The daughter is now deceased. The family occupy a very pleasant residence on Main Street.
AMES HINE, M.D., one of the oldest . and most skilful physicians of New Milford, was born there on July 31, 1822, son of Lyman and Hannah (Roberts) Hine. The Hine family is traced to Thomas
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Hine, the first representative in America, who owned land in Milford as early as 1646. His son Stephen, the next in line, was fol- lowed by Ambrose. Stephen Hine, second, son of Ambrose, spent his life in Wood- bridge, Conn., where he was a prosperous car- penter. According to tradition, he erected the first frame house built in Bridgewater, which was then a part of the town of New Milford. He performed the work for John Treat ; and he received for his pay two hun- dred and fifteen acres of common land, that he afterward gave to his son, Stephen, third. He was also at one time interested in the Litchfield Review. His wife before marriage was Miss Elizabeth Carrington. After Stephen Hine, third, was married to Miss Naomi Peck he came to New Milford, and purchased of John Treat one hundred and thirty-eight acres, making the total amount of land owned by him about three hundred and fifty acres. On getting possession of his purchase he erected a log house, and pro- ceeded to the work of clearing the land. In 1798 he purchased the farm of N. Taylor, Jr., at the mouth of Rocky River, together with a saw-mill, grist-mill, fulling-mill, and dye shop. For a number of years he carried on quite an extensive business in the various in- dustries these buildings were designed for. He purchased and brought to New Milford the first two-horse wagon owned in that town, using it to deliver flour from his mill. Toward the close of his life he retired from active business, making over to his sons all his property except what he deemed sufficient to supply his needs. He was drafted for ser- vice in the Revolutionary War, and was pres- ent at both the evacuation of New York and the surrender of General Burgoyne. His powder-horn, which he brought home from the war, is in the possession of his grandson,
Dr. James Hine. He died in 1833. seventy- nine years of age; and his wife died in ISIS, at the age of sixty years. They had five sons ; namely, Clark, William, Anan, Isaac, and Lyman.
Lyman Hine, who was born January 28. 1793, remained with his parents during his boyhood. When he started for himself, he engaged in the manufacture of fire brick for stove lining, the first time that work was undertaken in this country. He carried on this industry for many years, doing an exten- sive business. He finally relinquished it in favor of his sons, William H. and George, and retired from active labor. Up to 1850 he held Democratic principles, after which he became an adherent of the Republican party. He served acceptably as Selectman of his town, and lived to the age of eighty-nine years. His wife, Hannah ( Roberts) Hine, to whom he was united in September, 1837, died when she was sixty-nine years old. Both were faithful members of the Congregational church. Their four children are: William H., Louisa, James, and George.
James Hine, M. D., acquired his early edu- cation in the common schools. He subse- quently studied at the Vermont University. from which he graduated in the class of 1844. and then entered the medical department of the University of the City of New York. com- pleting the course there in 1847. Soon after he came to New Milford, his native town, and engaged in the practice of his profession. For many years he has been the leading phy sician and surgeon of that vicinity. Atter his marriage he purchased the Northrop home- stead on Bridge Street, the early home of the Mygatts, moved it to a vacant lot, and changed it into a double tenement - house, which still stands. On the old site he erected his fine large house and barn, and laid out a
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beautiful lawn. He has also been engaged in building or remodelling other houses; and he has had West Street extended, and laid out a number of building lots.
On October 9, 1849, Dr. Hine was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Northrop, a daughter of Cyrus and Betsey (Wells) North- rop. Her father was a successful farmer and highly estecmed citizen of New Milford. She died in 1883, sixty-four years of age, leaving three children, as follows: Francis L., born December 6, 1850, who is married to Mary I. Low, and has two children; Sophia M., born April 15, 1855, wife of Professor J. T. Shaw, of Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, and has two children ; and Caroline L., born Decem- ber 1, 1857, who married George B. Noble, of East Hampton, and has two children. Francis L. Hine, who lives in Brooklyn, N. Y., and is Vice-President of the Astor Place Bank, in the organization and develop- ment of which he was one of the leaders and is now its principal manager, was one of the original incorporators of the New Milford Savings Bank, has been a director of it, Vice- President, and President, having held the last-named office for many years before illness compelled his resignation, and was instru- mental in securing the site of the bank build- ing, obtained its design, and largely superin- tended its erection.
Dr. Hine is a faithful supporter of Repub- lican principles. In 1853 he served as Judge of Probate. On one occasion he was nomi- nated for representative of his district, and came within one vote of being elected.
A™ NDREW J. BALDWIN, a prominent farmer, residing upon Long Moun- tain, in the town of New Milford, was born on the farm he now owns and occu-
pies, August 1, 1831, son of David M. and Laura M. (Fairchild) Baldwin. The family is of English ancestry, and descends from Nathaniel, son of Richard Baldwin, who emi- grated to America in the early days of the New England colony, and was one of the early settlers of Milford, Conn. The descent continued through Daniel, first, Daniel, second, and Jeremiah, first, to Jeremiah, second, and Eunice Baldwin, who were Andrew J. Baldwin's great-grandparents. Jeremiah and Eunice Baldwin settled in New Milford, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Their children were David, John, Jeremiah, Eunice, Polly, and Hannah, Jeremiah, third, Mr. Baldwin's grandfather. in company with his two brothers, bought a tract of three hundred and fifty acres of land, situated upon Long Mountain, which they di- vided equally between them. Jeremiah's por- tion, including a later purchase made by him and the old house built by A. Buck in 1786, is now the property of his grandson. When cleared and put under cultivation, the prop- erty made a good farm. Jeremiah, third, died in 1851. He married E. Sarah Merwin, who became the mother of six children, as follows: Polly, who was born September 23, 1794; Minerva, born November 3, 1798; Caroline, born August 5, 1801; David M., born No- vember 7, 1804; Delia M., born November 21, 1810; and Harriet E., born November 8, 1816. She died in 1859.
David M. Baldwin, the only son of his par- ents, succeeded as such to the ownership of the homestead. He improved the property to a considerable extent, and was a prosperous farmer. He was a popular man in the com- munity, and served in some of the town offices with ability. He was originally a Whig and later a Republican. He was a member of the Congregational church; and he died April 20,
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1 884. His wife, a daughter of Munson Fair- child, became the mother of two children, namely: Sarah F., who was born February 13, 1834, and died July 1, 1850; and Andrew J., the subject of this sketch. The mother died March 3, 1888.
Andrew J. Baldwin was educated in the dis- trict and select schools, and adopted agricult- ure as an occupation. He has always re- sided at the old homestead, and since 1854 has occupied the handsome and substantial residence his father erected for him at the time of his marriage. Alive to the progres- sive tendencies of the times, he has made vari- ous noticeable improvements in his property. He has remodelled the buildings, and has added more land to the estate. He pays par- ticular attention to the dairying, keeping a number of choice cows. The large measure of prosperity he is enjoying may be taken as the result of his steady perseverance and deter- mination to reach the highest degree of per- fection in his calling.
On October 10, 1854, Mr. Baldwin was first united in marriage to Delia Merwin. She was born in January, 1832, daughter of Henry and Susan (Gaylord) Merwin, and died December 4, 1872, leaving three children, as follows: Henry M., Sarah F., and Mary G. The last two died each at the age of seven- teen. Mr. Baldwin married for his second wife Lucy S. Weaver, who died in 1892, aged fifty years. Henry M., the only survivor of Mr. Baldwin's children, was born October 10, 1856. He was well educated, and is now en- gaged in teaching school. He also assists his father in carrying on the farm. He married Lottie C. Ferriss, and has two children, naniely : Alice, who was born April 16, 1884; and Ralph H., born May 15, 1888. His father is a Republican in politics and a mem- ber of the Congregational church.
ILLIAM W. BULL, a retired farmer of Plymouth, was born in that town, November 28, 1816, son of Benedict and Betsey (Carrington) Bull. The family is of Welsh origin; and its pres- ent representatives are the descendants of Governor Bull, who ruled the colony of Rhode Island in 1685. Mr. Bull's grandfather, Jabez B. Bull, was born in Milford, Conn., in 1748, followed the trade of a tailor in his na- tive town, and died in 1817. He married Naomi Bristol, born in Milford, April 20, 1754, who reared six children, of whom Benedict, Mr. Bull's father, was the eldest. She passed her declining years at the home of her son in Plymouth, and died at the age of ninety years. Both parents were members of the Congregational church, the father having been a Deacon for many years.
Benedict Bull was born in Milford. July IO, 1771. He acquired the tailor's trade from his father, with whom he worked until he was twenty-one. He then went to New York, where he continued to follow that occu- pation. Subsequently, after recovering from a severe illness, he shipped as a sailor in the merchant service, making voyages to the West Indies and points along the coast. This was during the turbulent times caused by the un- settled state of Europe in the early part of the present century, and he was upon three several occasions captured by pirates. After follow- ing the sea for some twenty years, he in 1815 settled in Plymouth, where he purchased a farm, which he cultivated successfully for the rest of his life. His death occurred in 1852. at the age of eighty years. In politics he favored the abolitionist movement. He mar- ried Betsey Carrington, daughter of Dr. Ed- ward and Mrs. ( Whittlesey) Carrington, of Woodbridge. Dr. Carrington, a physician in good practice, subsequently moved to New
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York. After suffering from a protracted ill- ness, he returned to his native State, and died in Milford in early manhood, leaving a widow and six children. His wife, who was a native of Wallingford, Conn., died in Milford. Mrs. Benedict Bull became the mother of four- teen children, eleven of whom, eight sons and three daughters, grew to maturity. Of these William W., the subject of this sketch, is the only one now living. The mother lived to the age of ninety-two, dying in Plymouth in 1871. Both parents were members of the. Congregational church.
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