USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Litchfield County, Connecticut > Part 37
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ARVEY DEMING, deceased, who was cut off in the middle of a use- ful life, was for many years identi- fied with the leading interests of the town of Colebrook, and is remembered by the people of this section of Litchfield County as one of its most worthy residents. He was born in the town of Colebrook, January 27, 1827, son of Allen Deming, a lifelong resident of the same town and a grandson of Daniel Deming, an early settler of Colebrook. Daniel Dem- ing was a shoemaker by trade. He laid down his last to join a company of minute-men in the Revolution, as proved by the presence of his name in the glorious roll of those who fought for the independence we now enjoy.
He subsequently bought a tract of land in the south-eastern part of Colebrook; and on the homestead which he cleared and improved he passed his remaining days, dying at the age of seventy-four years. His wife, whose maiden name was Judith Loomis, attained the age of seventy-seven years. She bore him seven children, severally named: George, Moses, Daniel, Honor, Sally, Allen, and Jared.
Allen Deming was reared on the farm: and, finding the occupation of tilling the soil congenial and profitable, he continued in agri- cultural pursuits through his years of activity. After attaining his majority, he bought a farm at Robertsville, in Colebrook. Among the improvements he made was a substantial brick residence, which is still in a good state of preservation. He was a very successful agri- culturist, contributed his full share toward the development of the locality, and died at the age of eighty-three years. His wife. whose maiden name was Verena Woodruff, born at Stonington, Conn., was a daughter of Isaiah and Esther (DeWolf) Woodruff, na- tives, respectively, of Stonington and Killing- worth. She, also, outlived the scriptural period of life, dying at the age of seventy-four. They had five children; namely, Laura A .. Wolcott, Lucy, Harvey, and Harriet, all of whom grew to maturity.
Harvey Deming was diligent in taking ad- vantage of his opportunities for acquiring knowledge. At the age of twenty years he began teaching, his first professional experi- ence being in the town of Hartland. From there he went to the State of New Jersey. where he taught with success for several terms. Mr. Deming then turned his atten- tion to the occupation in which he had been reared, and for a time after his marriage carried on the old home farm. Subsequently purchasing a farm near by, he added stock-
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raising to general husbandry, and had a thriv- ing business for many years. He bought his stock in New York State, at times feeding over two hundred cattle. In time he became the owner of quite an extensive property. He added largely to his real estate, further improved his homestead by the erection of a good set of farm buildings, and rebuilt and enlarged his dwelling-house, rendering his estate one of the most valuable and desirable in the vicinity. In the midst of his many private interests Mr. Deming was not unmind- ful of the public welfare, which he constantly sought to promote. He held various offices in the town, and ably represented his district in the State legislature in 1861 and 1868. He was one of the inost zealous advocates of the principles of the Democratic party, and served it with fidelity.
In the month of May, 1851, Mr. Deming was united in marriage with Amarette Spencer, who was born December 28, 1830, in Cole- brook, daughter of John Spencer. Mr. Spen- cer, who was born in Rhode Island, lost his father in his childhood, and was but a small lad when he came with his mother to Litch- field County. He began very soon to earn his own living. Being very industrious and thrifty, he was able to save a part of his earn- ings, besides assisting his widowed mother somewhat. He succeeded to the farm left by his uncle, Samuel J. Whitford. This is the estate now owned and occupied by Mr. Spen- cer's son Thomas. He lived to the good old age of seventy-two years, departing this life on the homestead. He had survived his wife, whose maiden name was Emeline Hill, and who died at the age of sixty-two years. She was a native of Blandford, Mass., and a daugh- ter of Joseph and Joanna (Kibbe) Hill, es- teemed residents of that town. Mr. and Mrs. Deming had five children, of whom three are
now living ; namely, John Allen, Clayton H., and Homer P. Frances A. died at the age of eleven years and Waldo when seventeen years old, being then a youth of great promise. The three living brothers are busily engaged in general agriculture and stock-raising, their favorite breed of cattle being the Guernseys, and are meeting with merited prosperity in life. John A., born April 30, 1854, mar- ried Miss Alice Raidart ; and they have three children : Grove W., Earl L., and Ralph S. Like his father, he takes an active interest in politics, and has already represented the dis- trict in the State legislature of 1886 and 1890. Clayton H., a member of the present (1895) legislature, was born January 20, 1866; and of his union with Almira R. Moore three sons have been born, Arthur, Harvey, and Lynn. Homer, the youngest son, born April 7, 1870, is unmarried, and resides with his mother on the old homestead. Mrs. Deming is a member of the Baptist church, of which her husband was also a faithful member; and they have reared their family in the same faith, the two younger sons having united with the church.
OBERT J. MURPHY, a thriving farmer of the town of Washington, was born in County Antrim, Ire- land, in 1862, son of Robert and Nancy (Dun- lap) Murphy. Mr. Murphy's father was an industrious and highly respected farmer of County Antrim, who died at the age of thirty- five years. His wife, Nancy Dunlap, also a native of Ireland, became the mother of four children, namely: William, who married Margaret Nickle, and has four children ; James; Robert J., the subject of this sketch; and Samuel. Mrs. Nancy D. Murphy is passing her declining years with her children,
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and is a resident of Washington, this county. She has reached the age of seventy years.
Robert J. Murphy emigrated to the United States in 1881 in company with his brother William, and settled in Washington, where he has since been prosperously engaged in farming. He comes of a race famed for their industry and natural aptitude for the cultiva- tion of the soil, and well maintains their best traditions. Mr. Murphy married Anna Lud- gate, daughter of John and Margaret (Hegert) Ludgate, of Bridgeport, Conn. Mrs. Murphy's father, who was a respected citizen, was a stove finisher by trade, and died at the age of seventy-eight years. He and his wife reared the following children: Fanny, who became Mrs. Terrill, and has two children; Michael, who died aged forty-two years; Belle, who be- came Mrs. Dean, and has two children; Anna, who is now Mrs. Murphy; Jennie, who be- came Mrs. Cables, and has two children; and John. Mrs. Ludgate died when in her fifty- second year. Mr. Murphy is a Republican in politics. He is a member of Washington Grange, No. II; and both he and his wife attend the Congregational church.
AMES T. NORTON, an old and re- spected resident of Winsted, where, retired from active business, he has lived for the past twenty-nine years, was born in Goshen, Litchfield County, February 3, 1811. Ilis father was Abraham and his grandfather Ebenezer Norton, both natives of Goshen. Ebenezer Norton was a farmer in good circumstances and 'also a skilful me- chanic. He reared four sons and three daugh- ters, all of whom grew up, married, and lived to a ripe old age.
Abraham Norton was born about 1774, and spent his life in Goshen, where he had a
large and productive farm. On November 27, 1794, he married Rhoda Thompson, of Goshen, who lived to be eighty-two years old, and now rests with her husband in the Central Cemetery at Goshen. Their farm-house was brightened by one daughter and five sons, of whom James T. Norton, now in his eighty- fifth year, is the only survivor.
James T. Norton's boyhood and youth were spent on his father's farm. From the district school at Goshen he went to the academy, and he spent one term in Torringford. He de- sired a classical education, but was not so sit- uated as to secure his wish; and at seventeen he became a clerk in a country store. At the end of six months he obtained a position as collector for a clock firm, and went West in their employ, travelling for about a year. The six years following he was employed by Case & Wilson at Marion, Ala. ; and on their closing up business he engaged as collector for Dennis Perkins & Co., a large mercantile house in New York City. In the interests of this firm he travelled extensively through the North-western States. In the summer, when not occupied in collecting, he was employed in keeping books. His connection with the house, beginning in 1853, lasted until 1865, when the firm wound up its business. Mr. Norton afterward spent two years in trade in Avon, Conn. When he retired, he had an ample fortune, the most of which he had ac- quired by his own industry.
Mr. Norton was twice married. His first marriage, which took place in 1834, was with Adeline Wilson. She died at his present home on May 8, 1876, aged sixty-seven. In November, 1877, he took for his second wite Mrs. Emeline S. Williams, of New Haven, daughter of Grove Winchell, Jr., and Laura (Doolittle) Winchell. Her father was a farmer in the town of Chester. Hampden
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County, Mass., and died in the prime of life, having been fatally injured by a fall from a load of hay. His widow lived to be eighty- five years old, dying in 1882. Mrs. Norton is one of nine children. Her only brother and a sister have passed away. Six sisters are yet living. Her first husband, to whom she was married November 11, 1841, was Edward Williams, a mechanic, who died in 1865, leaving her wih two sons and two daughters. Her eldest daughter, Agnes W., is now Mrs. Carpenter, and lives in Brookline, Mass .; Alice E. is the wife of William P. Clancey, a Congregational minister in Troy, N.H .; Byron Hartley Williams lives in Amherst, Mass. ; and Frank L. Williams died in 1876, at the age of nineteen. Mrs. Norton has six grand-daughters and two grandsons, the latter remarkably talented and distinguished for their scholarly acquirements.
Mr. Norton was a Henry Clay Whig, and since the war has been nominally a Democrat ; but he always votes for the best man. He has served as Selectman and filled other town offices: and with his wife he attends the Con- gregational church. A man of brilliant intel- lect and pleasing personality, he is a fine con- versationalist, expressing his thoughts in the best of language with the clearest enunciation. It is a pleasure to visit him and his estimable wife in their spacious home at 12 Park Place.
RS. EMMA J. (MARIGOLD) GREENLEAF, an enterprising manufacturer, engaged in wood- turning and enamelling at Pleasant Valley, this county, was born in Waterbury, Conn. Her father, the late William H. Marigold, was born in New York City, which was the lifelong home, so far as known, of his father, William Marigold. William H. Marigold
learned the trade of a silversmith while living with his parents. When a young man, he re- moved to the manufacturing town of Water- bury, where he worked at his trade for the firm of Brown Brothers nineteen years. On account of ill health he was forced to resign his position, and sought the milder climate of Florida, hoping that it might prove beneficial to him. But he grew steadily worse, and died there in the month of July, 1869. The maiden name of his wife, mother of Mrs. Greenleaf, was Elizabeth Abbott. She was a native of Middlebury, Conn., being a daughter of David Abbott, who, it is thought, spent his entire life in that town. After the death of her husband she returned from Florida to her native State, and spent her last years in the city of Bridgeport, where she passed away, in February, 1883. Besides Mrs. Greenleaf she reared William H. Marigold, a prominent business man of Bridgeport, influential in the management of municipal affairs, having served as Mayor of the city two terms, and being at the present time State Senator.
When sixteen years of age Emma J. Mari- gold became the bride of John C. Greenleaf, who was identified with the manufacturing in- terests of Litchfield County for many years. He was born in Chester, N.H., son of John and Frazilette (Lane) Greenleaf. (Further information will be found in the published Genealogy of the Greenleaf family.) Mr. Greenleaf was but an infant when his parents removed to Newburyport, Mass., where he grew to manhood and acquired his education. When about twenty years of age, he went to Florida, where he purchased a Spanish title to a tract of land, and commenced its improve- ment, thinking to devote it in due course to the culture of Florida fruit. The climate did not agree with him, however; and after a three years' trial he returned North, locating
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soon afterward in Waterbury, where he was employed for a time in a clock factory. Mr. Greenleaf next established himself in business at Wolcott, where he bought a small mill, and began the business of wood-turning. In a few years, the business outgrowing the ca- pacity of the plant, he sold out. After that he was engaged in manufacturing at Burrville, Colebrook River, and at New Boston. He was in business at the latter place at the time of his decease, in October, 1889.
After the death of her husband Mrs. Green- leaf, who is an energetic, capable woman, with a natural aptitude for business, continued manufacturing in New Boston for a time. In 1891 she took a lease of the plant of the Greenwoods Manufacturing Company at Pleas- ant Valley, and, having fitted it with all the requisite machinery, has since carried on busi- ness there with remarkable success. She has six children; namely, Elizabeth, Eleanor, Edith, John, Willie, and Hattie. Elizabeth, the eldest child, married Clark Sherman; and they have two children, Raymond Greenleaf Sherman and Ralston Marigold Sherman. Mr. Greenleaf was for a number of years con- nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and Mrs. Greenleaf is an esteemed member of the Congregational church and a valued and active member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
LFRED E. MERRELL, a well-to- farmer of New Hartford, residing in the village of Nepaug, son of Asher and Eliza (Olmstead) Merrell, was born Feb- ruary 10, 1830, upon the farm which he now owns and occupies. Mr. Merrell's grand- father, Asher Merrell, Sr., was an carly set- tler in New Hartford, and owned a farm in Nepaug, which he cultivated for the greater
part of his life. He and his wife, Caroline Phelps, of Harwinton, both lived to be over seventy years of age. They reared a family of seven children.
Asher Merrell, the younger, was born and brought up on the old homestead in Nepaug, and early acquired a practical knowledge of farming. When of age, he purchased a farm in the neighborhood of his birthplace; and this he conducted with good results until his death, which occurred when he was seventy- four years old. He was a Democrat in poli- tics. His wife, Eliza Olmstead, who was a daughter of Michael Olmstead, a prosperous farmer and an old resident of New Hartford, became the mother of eight children, five of whom are living, namely: Walter S., a resi- dent of Southington; Alfred E .; Ann M., who married Cyrus E. Ransom; Caroline A., who married Charles E. Green, of Newark, N.J .; and Catherine J., wife of William S. Seymour. Mrs. Eliza Olmstead Merrell lived to reach the age of eighty-four. She was a member of the Congregational church.
Alfred E. Merrell was educated in the com- mon schools of his native town, and at an early age began to help his father in carrying on the farm. He resided with his parents until he was twenty-four; and a few years later he purchased a portion of the old home farm, where he now resides. He owns one hundred acres of fertile land, and since set- tling here has erected substantial farm build- ings and otherwise improved the property. He conducts general farming, receiving satis- factory returns for his labor; and he is thrifty and energetic, possessing a high order of in- telligence and entertaining advanced ideas in relation to the best methods of farming. In politics he is a Democrat, but votes indepen- dently when he considers it for the best so to do. He has served as a member of the Board
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of Selectmen for several years, and has acted as a Justice of the Peace. He is officially connected with the Grange, and takes an active interest in all matters relative to the general welfare of the community.
In 1853 Mr. Merrell married Eliza Barnes, daughter and only child of Isaac and Thirza (Barber) Barnes, the former of whom moved from Southington to New Hartford, where he became a prosperous farmer. Mr. Barnes lived to reach the age of seventy-seven. His second wife, Thirza Barber, a native of Can- ton, attained the advanced age of eighty-six.
Mr. and Mrs. Merrell have four children, as follows: Charles A., who married Loretta J. Mason, and has one son, named Alfred S .; Ida H., who married Charles J. Healy, an em- ployee of the Consolidated Railroad Com- pany; Jessie E., a graduate of the Collinsville High School, who married Stephen L. Kel- logg, a travelling salesman; and Fannie K., who resides at home. At the Westfield, Mass., Normal School Jessie E. Merrell fitted herself for teaching, and taught successfully in her native town and in Massachusetts. Mr. Merrell is a member of the Congregational church, of which he has been Deacon for three years, and is a teacher in the Sunday-school. His wife and family are also members of the church and Sunday-school.
OHN M. FORD, who has served three terms as a member of the Connecticut legislature, is the enterprising owner of a productive farm in Marble Dale, in Wash- ington, Litchfield County, Conn., where he also conducts a large creamery. He is a son of Lewis and Anna (Farrand) Ford, and was born in this town on August 4, 1823. Mr. Ford's grandfather, Samuel Ford, moved from Milford, Conn., to Washington, where he set-
tled upon a farm, and engaged in agricultural labors successfully for the rest of his life. He raised a family of ten children, five sons and five daughters.
Lewis Ford was born in Milford, and in young manhood learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed as an occupation in connec- tion with farming. He owned a large farm situated on Christian Street, and was a pros- perous and useful citizen. He died at the age of forty-four years. His wife, Anna Farrand, who was a daughter of John Farrand, of Washington, lived to the age of sixty years. Their six children were as follows: Mary; Catherine, who became Mrs. Goodsell; Henry ; George; Edgar; and John M., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Ford's parents attended the Congregational church.
John M. Ford received his education in the. schools of Washington; and in young man- hood he engaged in the marble business, which he followed for four years. He then turned his attention to agriculture, and has since devoted himself with energy and success to the management of his valuable farm in Marble Dale. Although he has passed his seventieth birthday, he is still in possession of youthful vigor and activity. In 1894 he established a large creamery upon his farm; and, gathering his cream from the surrounding country, he is now producing an average of two thousand seven hundred pounds of superior butter per week. He is a Republican in poli- tics; and, besides serving as a grand juror, he has been three times elected to represent his town in the State legislature, of which he was a member during the years 1873, 1877, and 1878, his public life being marked by a cor- rect understanding of the necessary elements of good government, together with an intelli- gent conception of the best interests of his constituents.
1
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JOHN M. FORD.
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In 1849 Mr. Ford married Sophronia M. Wheaton, daughter of Myron B. Wheaton, of New Milford, Conn., and has one adopted daughter, Nellie C. Mrs. Ford died in 1890, aged sixty-nine years. Mr. Ford occupies a prominent position among the leading farmers of his locality, and has enjoyed a prosperous career. He has always been quick to avail himself of new and progressive ideas in rela- tion to agricultural development, and has im- proved his farm to a high state of cultivation.
This brief biographical sketch is accom- panied by a likeness of Mr. Ford.
URRAY C. FORD, a prosperous farmer of Washington, Litchfield County, Conn., was born at the Ford homestead, in this town, December 26, 1866, and is a son of Simeon D. Ford. Mr. Ford's great-grandfather, Samuel Ford (son of John, son of John, son of Thomas, the settler of Milford), moved from Milford to Washing- ton, where he resided for the rest of his life. He married Susanna Stone (daughter of John, son of Ezekiel, son of John, son of John, the settler of Guilford), and they reared a family of ten children, namely: Susanna; Samuel, Jr. ; William; Polly ; Lazarus; Sally; Lewis; Lois; John M .; and Simeon.
John M. Ford, Mr. Ford's grandfather, was born in Washington shortly after his parents removed from Milford. He became a prosper- ons farmer and a worthy citizen, and died in 1843, aged fifty-eight years. He married Polly Calhoun, daughter of Calvin Calhoun (son of John, son of David), of Washington, and reared a family of six children, as fol- lows: Seth Porter, who married first Maria Fowler, second Carrie Jackson, and had three children - Lois, Minnie, and Seth; Simeon D .; John C., who died at the age of sixty-
six; Lois A., who became Mrs. Robert Har- vey, and had four children - Charles, Calvin, George, and Remus; Samuel R .; and Remus T., who inarried Helen Sackett. Mrs. Polly Calhoun Ford died in 1864, aged sixty- eight.
Simeon D. Ford, Mr. Ford's father, was born at the homestead in Washington, January 8, 1822. He -was early trained to agricult- ural labors, and for many years followed farming with good results. He has now re- tired from active pursuits, and is passing his declining years pleasantly with his son. Ilis wife, Malinda Sackett, whom he married in 1849, was a daughter of Moses Sackett, of Warren, Conn. (son of Benjamin, son of Justus, son of Jonathan, son of William, son of John, son of Simeon). Mr. and Mrs. Simeon D. Ford were the parents of four chil- dren, as follows: Porter, who married Lois Ford, and has one daughter, named Lois; Lester, who died at the age of twenty-five: Archer; and Murray C., the subject of this sketch. The mother died in 1881, aged fifty- five. Simcon D. Ford is a highly esteemel citizen of Washington, and is a charter mem- ber of the Grange in this town.
Murray C. Ford received his education in the public schools of his native town, and has always resided at the Ford homestead. In his boyhood and youth he assisted his father in the work of the farm, and he now has entire charge of the property. He carries on farm- ing in a progressive and energetic manner, and his industry and thrift are the assurance of a prosperous and successful future. In 1891 Mr. Ford was united in marriage with Ivah Kelly, daughter of Luther and Gertrude (Alling) Kelly, of Ansonia, Conn. Mrs. Ford's father died at the age of twenty- six, and her mother died aged thirty-seven years.
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RANK O. PECK, a prosperous farmer and a prominent resident of Water- town, was born December 1, 1853, son of Leman O. and Rhoda A. (Carr) Peck. Mr. Peck's grandfather, Ozias Peck, settled in Watertown, where he was successfully en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until his death.
Leman O. Peck, Mr. Peck's father, who was an only son, was born in Watertown. His father died when he was but a year old; and he passed his boyhood and youth upon a farm, contributing what he could to his own support by his labor. In early manhood he bought a tract of land situated north of Water- town Centre, where he engaged in farming upon his own account. He followed his call- ing industriously, and was a useful citizen. He died at the age of seventy years. His wife was a native of Goshen, Conn., daughter of Leonard B. Carr, a progressive farmer of that town. She became the mother of four children, as follows: Emma A., who married Frank S. Munson; Fanny K., who married Burton G. Bryan, a banker of Waterbury, Conn .; Frank O., the subject of this sketch; and Mary C., who married for her first hus - band Pierre W. Judson and for her second Howard J. Wright. The mother dicd in Watertown, aged sixty-five years. Mr. Peck's parents were members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, of which his father was a Trustee and collector.
Frank O. Peck received his education in the district and high schools of his native town, and resided at home, assisting in carry- ing on the farm until he became of age. He then purchased a farm, situated two miles and a half from the village; and, after residing there for a time, he sold the place, and bought the old homestead where his father was born. He cultivated that property successfully until 1889, when he again sold; and, moving to his
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