USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Litchfield County, Connecticut > Part 41
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Sidney F. Dickerman received his early education in the district school, and later attended the Oxford Academy. He then en- gaged in teaching for a brief time in Sangamon County, Illinois, and in Ohio, the latter State being his home for ten years. Twenty-seven years ago, in 1868, Mr. Dickerman began trade in Winsted, Conn., where he bought an interest in the hardware business with J. J. Whiting, his wife's uncle, and under the firm name of J. J. Whiting & Co. carried it on successfully up to January 1, 1873. At that time Charles Jopp purchased Mr. Whit- ing's interest, and during the succeeding seventeen years the store was conducted under the copartnership of Dickerman & Jopp. Mr. Dickerman has since carried on the business alone, his store being at 347 Main Street.
During the Civil War, in 1864, he enlisted at Cleveland, Ohio, as a volunteer in the One Hundred and Fiftieth Ohio Infantry, with which he was in service one hundred days, being stationed in the forts around Washing- ton. This regiment was made up for the most part of doctors, lawyers, and other professional men. Mr. Dickerman was married in Guil- ford, N. Y., on October 16, 1867, to Miss Adelaide L. Whiting, a daughter of Hiram L. Whiting. The latter now resides in Winsted, Conn., and although eighty-four years of age is still active in mind and body. Mrs. Dick- erman was educated at Norwich Academy.
In political affiliation Mr. Dickerman is a Republican, and has served acceptably as Bur- gess of Winsted, also as a member of the Board of Relief. He is likewise a Director of the Winsted Gas Company. He and his wife, who are consistent and active members of the Second Congregational Church, reside at their pleasant home, which he erected in 1885, on Hillside Avenue at the corner of East Monroe Street.
ILLIAM J. MORRIS, superintend- ent of the skate department of the Union Hardware Company's estab- lishment at Torrington, has been connected with the mercantile interests of the town since early manhood, being in point of service one of the oldest and most trustworthy employees of the above-mentioned firm. A native of this county, he was born in West Torrington, May 9, 1845. His father, Lewis A. Morris, was born in this town; while his grandfather, Alanson Morris, was a native of Naugatuck, New Haven County. The latter was reared and educated in New Haven County, and there learned the cabinet-maker's trade. Subse- quently coming to Torrington, he continued at his trade here for a while, and then engaged in the manufacture of flag-bottomed chairs, an industry which he thereafter pursued while able to work. The last years of his life were passed at the home of his son Lewis, his death occurring at the advanced age of ninety- four years.
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Lewis A. Morris worked at farming when a boy ; but, being of an ingenious turn of mind, he engaged in the clock business, making cases and' movements. When familiar with the work he went to Campville, where for a time he made clocks on a contract. Subsequently coming to this county, he was employed in Edward Wooding's lock shop for several years;
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and after the death of Mr. Wooding he started a jewelry store, being the pioneer jeweller of this town. He conducted the business very successfully for thirty-seven years, and then disposed of it and retired from active occupa- tion. His death occurred at the age of seventy-six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Lucy Ann Hart, was one of seven children, two of whom are still living, born to Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Hart, of Northfield. Mr. Hart was a prosperous agriculturist, and passed the larger part of his life in this county. He had farmed for a time in Ohio, whither he had journeyed by an ox team, subsequently returning to Northfield by the same conveyance. Mr. Lewis A. Morris and his wife reared a family of five children, one of whom, Carrie A., wife of Harvey Fel- lows, is deceased. The others are as follows : Henry L .; Julia A., wife of Louis Riggs ; William J., the subject of this sketch; and Mattie S., wife of Charles Hucksford, of Tor- rington. The mother, who lived to the age of seventy-one years, departed this life in Tor- rington. She was a most estimable woman and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
William J. Morris was educated in the Tor- rington schools, graduating from the high school. When a boy of seventeen years he began work in the skate factory. He proved himself very industrious, energetic, and faith- ful, and was from time to time promoted, grad- ually rising to his present position as superin tendent of the skate department. In this capacity he gives entire satisfaction both to the employers and the employed. His close application to business at one time threatened to undermine his physical constitution. To avoid this danger he in 1889 travelled through the West; and three years later he took an ocean voyage, visiting London, Liverpool, and
some of the larger continental cities, after which he returned to his work renewed in physical and mental vigor. That his labors are appreciated by the company is shown by his long term of service with it. Only one other man has been in the employment of the company for the same length of time, while none has been longer.
In 1867 Mr. Morris was united in marriage with Anna E. Way, who was one of two chil- dren born to Henry and Caroline (Beers) Way. Mr. Morris belongs to the Seneca Lodge of Masons, to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows of Torrington, and is a member of the Royal Arcanum. Politically, he upholds the principles of the Republican party, having been reared to that faith by his mother, who was one of its stanchest advocates. Mr. and Mrs. Morris are regular attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church, contributing gen- crously to its support.
DWIN H. BEARDSLEY, a well-known harness-maker of Washington, this county, was born in New Preston, Conn., October 13, 1850, son of Frederick and Mary (Beardsley) Beardsley. Mr. Beardsley's father was a native of Kent, Conn., where he was born in 1809. He learned the trades of tanning, currying, and harness-making. all of which he followed at different times. He re- mained in his native town until 1830, at which time he moved to New Preston and built the shop now occupied by his son, Edwin 11. Here he carried on a successful harness mak- ing and tannery business until his death, which took place when he was sixty five years old. He was actively interested and promi- nent in public affairs, serving as Justice of the Peace for about forty years, and also filling other town offices. His wife, Miry Beardsley,
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who was a daughter of Jabez Beardsley, of Kent, became the mother of three children, namely: George W., who married Harriet Stokes, and died in 1863, at the age of twenty- six, leaving two children - Theodora and Emma; Charlotte, who became Mrs. Beeman, and has four children - Abbie, Daniel, Flor- ence, and Lillian ; and Edwin H., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Frederick Beardsley lived to reach the age of sixty-eight years.
Edwin H. Beardsley received his education in the schools of his native town, and acquired the trade of harness-maker from his father. Since the latter's death he has conducted busi- ness for himself with prosperous results, and has acquired a wide reputation as a first-class workman and reliable business man. In poli- tics he is a Republican, and has ably filled several public offices. He served as grand juror and Tax Collector, and was Postmaster from 1889 to 1892. In 1876 Mr. Beardsley was united in marriage to Mary Noble, daugh- ter of Jarvis Noble, and has two children, George N. and Raymond. He is a member and Past Master of Rising Sun Lodge, No. 27, of Washington Depot, A. F. & A. M., and a member of Housatonic Chapter, No. 33, of New Milford.
OSEPH H. NORTH, M. D., whose like- ness is shown on the opposite page, for over twenty-two years has been success- fully engaged in the practice of his profession in Goshen, Conn., where he has won the high- est esteem of his fellow-citizens. He is a native of Litchfield County, having been born in Cornwall on January 15, 1846, son of Joseph and Mary E. (Miner) North.
Dr. North is a descendant of John North, who was born in England in 1615, came to America at twenty years of age, and thereafter made his home in Farmington, Conn. Thomas
North, son of John, served in the French and Indian War, and for his services in the army received a grant of land. Next in line was Joseph North, who was the first of the family to settle in Goshen, and from 1744 was here engaged in the practice of medicine. Joseph North, Jr., who also became a physician, spent his life in the successful practice of that pro- fession in Cornwall, Conn. His death oc- curred in the seventy-sixth year of his age. He married Miss Abigail Loomis, of Torring- ton, Conn., who bore him five children : Ethel, Burt, Joseph, Loomis, and Mary. Their mother lived to be eighty-four years of age. Joseph North, third, was born in Corn- wall. Not possessing a very rugged constitu- tion, he chose the more healthful vocation of an agriculturist, and purchased a farm in Corn- wall, where he passed a useful and successful. life of sixty-eight years. His wife, Mary E. Miner, was a daughter of Robert and Alura (Spicer) Miner. She reared eight children, namely : Mary E. Whiting ; Joseph H. ; Fanny, who died at eighteen years of age; Frederick ; George R .; Anna (deceased) ; William; and Ella. The mother is now seventy-one years old, and is living in West Goshen.
Joseph H. North obtained his early educa- tion in the common schools of Cornwall, Conn., and later on attended a grammar school in New York City. He then studied medicine for a time with his uncle, and afterward en- tered the Long Island College Hospital, from which he was graduated in the class of 1873. In the fall of that year he entered upon the duties of his profession at Goshen, where he has since remained, having an excellent prac- tice. In 1871 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Hurd, a daughter of Harry Hurd, of Genesee, Pa. Two sons and a daughter live to bless their union; namely, Joseph H., Carrie, and Harry H.
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JOSEPH H. NORTH.
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Dr. North takes much interest in political matters and in the welfare and progress of his town. In 1874 he was elected to the position of Town Clerk, and has held the office contin- uously since that time. He served as a Rep- resentative to the State legislature in 1884. He is a member of the Alumni Association of Long Island Hospital and the Connecticut Medical Society, also of the Litchfield County Medical Association, of which he has served as president one year.
B ENAJAH P. BEACH, a retired car- penter of Washington and formerly a member of the Connecticut legis- lature, was born in Woodbridge, Conn., No- vember 27, 1820, son of Benajah and Clarissa (Osborne) Beach. Mr. Beach's grandfather, Benajah Beach (first), was born in Woodbridge in 1752. He was a weaver by trade, and he served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War for seven years. He raised a family of thir- teen children ; namely, Anna, Isaac, Samuel, Anson, Benajah (second), Betsey, Oliver and Olive (twins), Calvin, Kneeland, Mary, Har- riet, and Mabel. The grandfather died in 1816.
Benajah, second, Mr. Beach's father, was born in Woodbridge, October 25, 1784. Ile followed the shoemaker's trade for many years, but his later days were spent in agricultural pursuits. He was an industrious and worthy member of the community, was highly es- teemed by his neighbors, and died in 1867. Ilis wife, whom he married in 1800, was born in 1782, daughter of Benjamin Osborne, who was a native of New Haven County. She be came the mother of four children ; namely. Eliza, Cornelia, Merritt, and Benajoh I. Eliza became Mrs. Lyon, and bad five chikhen : Catherine, Mary Jane, William, Sarah, and
Emily. Cornelia became Mrs. Russell, and had four children, as follows: Stephen, who married for his first wife Delia Allen, and for his second Louise Edwards; Elizer B., who married Maria Allen; William, who married Martha Main ; and Lewis, who married Fanny Lyon. Merritt married Mary E. Hollister for his first wife, and Rebecca Canfield for his second. The mother died in 1857.
Benajah P. Beach received his education in the district schools, and when a young man he learned the carpenter's trade. He settled in Washington, where he followed his trade until 1890. He is widely and favorably known as a skilful, industrious, and reliable mechanic. He is well informed upon all important politi- cal issues of the day, and supports the Demo- cratic party. Ile has always been active and prominent in public affairs. He represented his town in the legislature during the session of 1867, doing honor to his constituents, as well as to himself, by his intelligent grasp of legislative affairs.
In 1848 Mr. Beach was united in marriage to Huldah A. Titus, daughter of Stiles Titus, of Washington. They had two children, namely : Ella A., who is now Mrs. Iline ; and Edna C., who is now Mrs. Watts. Mr. Beach, who retired from active labor in 1800, is pass ing his time pleasantly at his comfortable home in Washington. The family attend the Congregational church.
SAMUEL F. BURGESS, who car ries on a thriving general men in tile trade in West Morris, was hoạt at the Burgess homestead in Washington, this county, June 5, 1830, son of Manson A and Harriet 1 (Frisbie) Borges. Mr. Bmary's grandfather. Ass, was a son of Eben Burgess. and resided in Washington, where he was en
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gaged in the manufacturing of Burgess's scythe sharpeners, a business which he fol- lowed with prosperous results during his active life. He died at the age of eighty-four years. His wife was Polly Allen ; and they reared one son, Alanson A., father of the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Asa Burgess died at the age of sixty years.
Alanson A. Burgess was born in the town of Washington, and when a young man he entered his father's business and continued the produc- tion of the Burgess scythe sharpeners for many years. He finally retired from the enterprise, and passed the rest of his life on the home farm, where he died at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife, Harriet I. Frisbie, was a daughter of Samuel Frisbie, of Washington, and she reared two children : Stanley, who died at the age of eight years; and Samuel F., whose name appears at the head of this sketch. The mother died at the age of forty-five years.
Samuel F. Burgess, after acquiring a fair amount of practical knowledge in the district schools of his native town, adopted the trade of his father and grandfather, and engaged in the manufacturing of scythe sharpeners, which he followed for some time. He later operated a saw-mill, and continued to reside at the old homestead in Washington until 1877, when he built a store in West Morris, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He now has a large and profitable trade, and has gained the reputation of being a thoroughly reliable merchant and a liberal-minded, progressive citizen. In 1860 Mr. Burgess was united in marriage to Ma- tilda A. Emmons, daughter of Ithel E. Em- mons, of Morris. They have one son, named Walter S., who married Millie Baldwin, of New Haven. Mr. and Mrs. Walter S. Burgess have one daughter, Gladys I. Mr. Burgess is a member of Rising Sun Lodge, No. 27,
A. F. & A. M .; Darius Chapter, No. 16; and of Buell Council, No. 20. He is a prominent citizen of this town, and has served as Post- master for over ten years.
EWIS H. IVES, who has charge of the town farm in Kent, was born in that town December 28, 1841, son of Joseph and Sally (Johnson) Ives. Mr. Ives's grandfather, Joseph Ives, Sr., passed his childhood in Pennsylvania, and learned the trade of a cooper, an occupation which he fol- lowed through life. In early manhood he set- tled in Kent, where he passed the rest of his days, dying at the age of eighty-eight. He married Polly Hall; and they had a family of ten children, as follows: Lyman, Charry, Rachel, Reuben, Morris, James, William, Lois, Joseph, and Harriet. The mother of these children died in her eighty-sixth year. Joseph Ives, Jr., was born in Pennsylvania, and, when a child, accompanied his parents to Kent, this county. He early adopted farming as an occupation, and followed that calling until his death, which took place when he was seventy-eight years old. His wife, Sally Johnson, was a daughter of Eliphalet Johnson, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. She reared but one son, Lewis H., whose name commences this brief sketch. The mother died aged sixty-eight years.
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Lewis H. Ives was educated in the district schools of Kent and was reared to farm life. He succeeded to the ownership of the home- stead, which is a well-improved and productive farm, and enjoys a fair degree of prosperity as the result of his industry. During the past six years he has had charge of the town farm, which his practical experience has enabled him to manage in a satisfactory manner. In 1874 Mr. Ives was united in marriage to Miss Jen-
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nie Beebe, daughter of Richard and Ann M. (Palmer) Beebe, former residents of New York State. Mrs. Ives's father was a prosperous farmer, who died at the comparatively carly age of thirty-seven, his wife surviving him and reaching the age of sixty-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Ives have one daughter, Josephine. Mr. Ives is a Republican in politics, and both he and his wife are Congregationalists in their religious views.
ERRITT WALKER HILL, an enterprising real estate dealer and life and accident insurance agent of New Milford, was born in that town, July 6, 1855, son of Marshall G. and Serina (Platt) Hill. Silas Hill, the great-great-grandfather of Merritt W., was born in Sherborn, Conn., in 1733. He afterward removed to New Fairfield, Conn., and thence to New Milford, where in 1760 he purchased of John Prindle several acres of land in that part of the town known as Milford Plains. He served one year in the French and Indian War, and at the time of his death he was sixty-six years old. He married Miss Sarah Leach, who died in the fifty-sixth year of her age, leaving her hus- band ten children. Of these Solomon, born in 1759, who is the next in line, settled in New Milford, where he became a large land- owner and a progressive citizen. His death occurred in the eightieth year of his age. His wife, who before marriage was Miss Amy Stone, lived to be seventy-three years old, dying in 1836. Their union was blessed by the birth of seven children, of whom Silas is the next representative of this particular an- cestral branch. He settled in the valley of the Aspetuck River, on the east side of Long Mountain, and spent his life there success- fully engaged in general farming. He mar-
ried Miss Polly Platt, and they became the parents of five children.
Marshall Gomer Hill, the second son of his parents, was born on March 11, 1820. When he started for himself, he purchased a portion of his father's farm, about one hundred acres, on which he erected a house and barns. From that time until his death he was suc- cessfully engaged in mixed farming and to a limited extent in land speculation. He was one of the most prosperous citizens of the town. At his decease he owned in addition to other property about two hundred acres of land. In his political relations he was a Democrat, and for a number of years he held the office of Justice of the Peace. He died in February, 1893. His wife, a daughter of Walker Platt, bore him three sons, as follows : Edson P., who married Miss Jennie Buck ; Edwin M., born in 1848, who died at the age of twenty-two years; and Merritt Walker. Both parents were communicants of the Epis- copal church.
Merritt Walker Hill received his education in the district schools, at Claverack College in New York, and at the Business College of Bridgeport, Conn. He then returned to his home, and worked for his father until is82. at which time he came to New Milford, and purchased of C. Smith the New Milford Creamery, in the northern part of the town. After conducting that for two years, he built another in the lower part of the town, and dur- ing the next six years did a very successful business. In 1890 he sold out, and in com- pany with E. W. Hanke rented a bnikling, and began the manufacture of stiff hats. This building was destroyed by fire January 10, 1892; but the firm immediately rented a new factory near the depot, and continued the bus iness together until 1804. In this year Mr. Hill sold his interest to his partner, who
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thereupon removed to Bridgeport. Since that time Mr. Hill has engaged in the real estate and insurance business, at which he is already doing well. Being a man of unusual enter- prise and prudence, his prospects of still greater success in the future are most favor- able. Mr. Hill's marriage with Miss Ida D. Clark was performed October 9, 1878. She is a daughter of Horace and Diana (Canfield) Clark. Her father, who was born February 15, 18II, and died January 30, 1864, was a successful agriculturist and shoemaker of Marble Dale, Conn. His wife, born on April IO, 1819, was a daughter of Heth Canfield. After Mr. Clark's decease she came to New Milford, and purchased the place on West Main Street where Mr. Hill now resides. She died February 11, 1880, leaving four chil- dren, namely: Heth C., born August 22, 1841; Catherine L., . born July 18, 1844; Horace, born October 25, 1851; and Ida D., born April 12, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have but one child, Maud S., born July 28, 1882. In political issues Mr. Hill casts his vote with the Democratic party. He and his wife are communicants of the Episcopal church of New Milford.
HARLES FISH WILLIAMS, drug- gist, of Thomaston, a well-known and popular member of the business community of Litchfield County, was born in Groton, Conn., April 24, 1842, son of Caleb Miner and Sabra (Gallup) Williams. He is of Welsh descent ; and his family name, which is very ancient, was originally spelled Wilyams.
Burke's Peerage states that Sir Robert Williams, the ninth baronet of the house of Williams of Penrhyn, was lineally descended from Marchudel of Cyan, Lord of Abergelem in Denbighshire, of one of the fifteen tribes of
North Wales, who lived in the time of Rod- erick Maur (Roderick the Great), King of the Britons (about A.D. 849). This most ancient family of the principality of Wales deduces its pedigree from Brutus, son of Sylvius, posthumous son of Ascaneus, son of Oomas. Brutus was the first king of Wales, and began to reign IIOO B.C.
The first ancestor of Mr. Williams in this country was Robert Williams, who was born in Great Yarmouth, England, in 1593, and whose baptism is entered on the parish regis- ter of St. Nicholas, Great Yarmouth, under date of December 1I, 1608, he being a son of Stephen Williams. He married Elizabeth Stalham, of Great Yarmouth; and they sailed for America in the ship "Rose " from Yar- mouth, landing April 15, 1635. Robert Williams settled in Roxbury, Mass., and was. made a freeman in 1638. He reached the ad- vanced age of one hundred years, dying in Roxbury in 1693. He had four sons: Sam- uel, born in 1632; Isaac, born in 1638; Stephen, born in 1640; and Thomas, who died young.
Isaac Williams, who was a weaver, settled in 1660 on five hundred acres of land in New- ton, then included in Cambridge. He seems to have been a prominent man; for he com- manded a troop of horse, represented Newtown in the General Court of Massachusetts five or six years, and he was a Deacon in the church. In 1660 he was married to Martha Park, daughter of Deacon William and Martha (Holgrove) Park, the former a fellow-voyager of Roger Williams. They had the following children: Isaac, born in 1661; Martha, in 1663; William, in 1665; John, in 1667; Eleazer, in 1669; and Thomas, in 1673.
John Williams died in 1702. His wife, Martha, daughter of Isaac and Martha (Parker) Wheeler, died in 1745, leaving seven chil-
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dren : Isaac, born in Stonington, Conn., in 1689; John, born in 1692; Martha, in 1693; Deborah, in 1695; William, in 1697; Nathan, in 1698; and Benadiah, in 1703. Isaac Will- iams, who died in 1733, married Sarah Deni- son, of Stonington, Conn. Their son Nathan, who was born in 1720, married Elizabeth Haley in 1744, and reared ten children, namely: Prudence, born in 1745; Lucy, in 1747; Caleb and Joshua, twins, born in 1749; Isaac and John, twins, born in 1751; Martha, born in 1754; Elizabeth, in 1756; Catherine and Mary, twins, born in 1758. Caleb Williams, son of Nathan and Elizabeth, married Freelove Fanning, was a farmer, and spent his life in Groton, Conn. They reared a son Jesse, who also was a farmer of Groton. Jesse Williams .married Betsey Elizabeth Avery, and the following children blessed their union : Eliza, born December 22, 1803; Caleb Miner, the father of our subject; Alonzo, born June 26, 1808; Ebenezer, born June 7, 1811; Lydia, born May 1, 1813; and Frederick, born May 11, 1816.
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