USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Litchfield County, Connecticut > Part 43
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RASTUS A. DEMING, a well-to-do farmer and highly respected citizen of Sharon, a western border town of Litchfield County, Connecticut, was born on the old homestead in this town on August 9, 1828, son of Dr. Ralph and Mary T. (Corn- wall) Deming. He is a grandson of Daniel
Deming and a lineal descendant of John Dem- ing, the first progenitor of this branch of the Deming family in America, who came to this country in 1635.
Ralph Deming began the study of medicine under a private teacher, and in 1824 he was graduated from the Yale Medical School. Although he started out from home with only a few changes of clothing tied up in a hand- kerchief, he not only amassed wealth, but be- came one of the leading men of the State. He was prominent in the State Medical Asso- ciation, and was well read on a variety of topics, not confining himself to his profession. From 1835 to 1839, also in 1867, he was a member of the House of Representatives in the State legislature; and in 1853-54 he served as a State Senator. He resided two miles south of Sharon village, where he owned a well-improved farm, on which was an excel- lent residence. His death occurred on July 21, 1877. His union with Miss Mary T. Cornwall was solemnized on June 5, 1827. She was a native of Patterson, N. Y., and lived to be eighty-one years of age, dying on October 10, 1878. They reared two sons and two daughters, of whom but one son is living, Erastus A. Samuel, the other son, died in his twenty-third year. Eliza lived to be sixty-one years old, and Martha died at four- teen years of age.
Erastus A. Deming has spent nearly all his life on the old homestead where he was born and of which he is now the owner. He ac- quired a good practical education in the pub- lic schools of Sharon; and at an early age he turned his attention to agriculture, in which vocation he has been very successful. In March, 1877, he was married to Miss Harriet Lineberg, a daughter of Alfred Lineberg, of Kent, Conn .; and much of his success is due to her sympathy and help. Their home has
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ERASTUS A. DEMING.
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been brightened by the birth of three sons and two daughters; namely, Ralph, Erastus A., Jr., Mary C., Isabel, and Alfred.
In political affiliation, like his father, Mr. Deming is a stanch Democrat; and besides serving in various town offices he was for several terms a member of the State legis- lature. Mr. Deming has been connected with the Amenia Bank as stockholder, Director, and Examining Committee for nearly twenty years, his father before him having also been identified with the bank as Director and stock- holder.
As one of the representative men of Sharon and an influential citizen of Litchfield County, Mr. Deming is widely known and well re- puted. His portrait, which is given on a neighboring page, will be viewed with interest by the readers of this volume.
EORGE A. TOMLINSON, who con- ducts a thriving mercantile business in Marble Dale, was born in Belle- port, L. I., April 5, 1844, son of the Rev. George and Anna M. (Taylor) Tomlinson. Mr. Tomlinson's grandfather, Abijah Tomlin- son, was a native of Derby, Conn., and a stone cutter by trade. He settled in Marble Dale, where he enjoyed considerable prosperity at his trade. His place of business was located near the present store of his grandson. Ile lived to reach the age of eighty-one years. He married Betsey Tomlinson, and reared eight children; namely, George, Ruth A., Giles, Eliza, Daniel, Agnes, Charles, and Nancy. His wife lived to the age of ninety- two years.
George Tomlinson, Mr. Tomlinson's father, was born in Derby, and moved with his par- ents to Marble Dale when quite young. After fitting himself for college he entered Yale
University, from which he graduated in the class of 1834. He subsequently continued his studies at the Andover (Mass. ) Theological Seminary, and became a Presbyterian preacher. His first pastorate was in Brattleboro, Vt .. where he remained for two years. From there he went to Belleport, L. I., where he labored for thirteen years. In 1852 he returned to Marble Dale, and in 1854 he was called to the pastorate of the Presbyterian church near Lockport, N. Y., which he accepted, and la- bored diligently in that field for the suc- ceeding six years. He was then installed as pastor of the Congregational church on New Preston Hill. After two years of pas- toral work here he was obliged, through fail- ing health, to retire from the pulpit. He con- tinued to reside in Marble Dale, where he is still remembered for his many worthy traits of character; and he died in 1876, aged seventy years. Ilis wife, who was a daughter of John Taylor, of Warren, this county, reared but one child, George A., the subject of this sketch. She died in 1869, aged forty-nine years.
George A. Tomlinson received a good edu- cation, and at an early age exhibited a natural inclination for a business life. He cared for his parents during their declining years, and after the death of his father he succeeded to the ownership of the homestead. In 188; he entered business at his present location in Marble Dale, where he has since carried on a large and profitable trade, earning a high repu- tation for integrity. He is a Republican in politics, and has acted as a Justice of the Peace for some time. He was appointed Post- master during President Cleveland's first administration, and has since retained that position, which he very ably fills.
On June 7. 1868, Mr. Tomlinson was united in marriage to Suah Noble, daughter of Jarvis Noble, of Kent. He is a member of
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the Congregational church and superintendent of the Sunday-school. He has served as chor- ister of the New Preston Hill Church for the past twenty-three years. Owing to this unu- sually fine record, he has been asked to name a salary that would induce him to accept a posi- tion as chorister in a large city church.
HARLES NORTHROP, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed
farmers of Park Lane, in the town of New Milford, son of Abner and Laura (Camp) Northrop, was born April 8, 1814, upon the farm where he now resides. Mr. Northrop is a descendant of Joseph Northrop, a resident of Milford, New Haven County, Conn. ; and the line of descent continues through Samuel and Sarah Northrop, Amos and Mary (Gunn) Northrop, to Amos, Jr., and Anna (Baldwin) Northrop, who were Mr. Northrop's great-grandparents.
Amos Northrop, Jr., was born in Milford, and was the first of the family to settle in New Milford. On June 30, 1743, he purchased of J. Terrill one hundred and ninety acres of land situated at what is now known as Park Lane, at the same time purchasing seventeen acres more, now owned by his great-grandson. He enclosed a large portion of his land with a high fence and attempted to domesticate wild deer, an experiment which proved a failure ; but he succeeded in giving the locality the name Park Lane. A prosperous farmer and a large land-owner, he died at the age of seventy-two years, survived by his wife, Anna Baldwin Northrop, who lived to reach the age of ninety. Their children were: Amos, Solo- mon, David, Lois, Anna, and Joel.
David Northrop, Mr. Northrop's grand- father, was born in New Milford, July 27, 1746. He succeeded to the ownership of his
father's farm, inheriting a part and purchasing the rest; and he became extensively engaged in general farming, being the fourth largest tax-payer in the town in 1802, and occupying an influential position among the leading farmers of his day. He died at the age of seventy years. He married Rachel Grant, and reared eight children, as follows: F. Grant; Betsey; John W .; David; Solomon; Abner; Nathaniel; and Betsey, second. Grandmother. Northrop lived to reach the age of ninety years.
Abner Northrop, son of David and Rachel, was born at the homestead, September 7, 1781. He inherited the farm and successfully engaged in agriculture, becoming a prosperous and leading citizen of the town. He improved his property by repairing and remodelling the buildings, erecting the present residence of his son in 1824. His farm consisted of one hundred and sixty acres; and he made a spe- cialty of raising sheep, keeping an average of three hundred. head, and also dealt in cattle to some extent. He was a Democrat in politics, and in religion he was a Congregationalist. He died July 19, 1847. His wife, Laura Camp, became the mother of four children, namely: David; Sophia; Charles, the subject of this sketch; and Maria. Mrs. Laura C. Northrop lived to reach the age of eighty years.
Charles Northrop attended the district and select schools, in which he acquired a good education ; and after completing his studies he taught school for five winter terms, his sum- mers being passed in farming. He succeeded to the ownership of the homestead, where he has always resided ; and he has carried on his farm with the most gratifying success. In his earlier years he was connected with the State militia, in which he worked his way forward to the rank of Captain, and served six years in
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the field. He was Commanding Colonel of the Fifteenth Connecticut Volunteer Regiment.
On October 27, 1847, Mr. Northrop was united in marriage with Emeline M. Bull, daughter of Jackson T. and Mary (Phelps) Bull. They have three children, as follows : Charles B., a successful farmer and wagon- maker, who was born February 14, 1850, mar- ried Lorinda Lyons, and has two children, Frank M. and Rena Emeline; Flora S., who was born January 2, 1855, and died at the age of two years; and Wesley C., who was born January 13, 1859, married Lydia A. Stuart, and is engaged in mercantile business in New Haven, Conn.
Mr. Northrop has always been an energetic and industrious worker, which accounts for his successful career as a farmer. Idleness ap- parently is something unknown even to his imagination ; and, although he is now eighty- one years old, he still continues active. Both he and his wife enjoy the respect and good will of their neighbors. They attend St. John's Episcopal Church.
ILLIAM G. FRENCH, a promi- nent resident of Watertown and an ex-member of the Connectient legis- lature, was born upon the farm where he now resides, January 8, 1844, son of Smith M. and Mary A. (Wheeler) French. The original an- cestor in America, of whom Mr. French is a direct descendant in the eighth generation, emigrated from Essex, England, and settled in Billerica, Mass., in 1635. Mr. French's great-grandfather, David French, resided in Woodbridge, and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He was a prominent man in that town, serving as Trial Justice; and he represented his district in the General As sembly for twenty years. He died at the age
of eighty. His son, Luther French, Mr. French's grandfather, settled in Beacon Falls, where he resided and engaged in agriculture for the rest of his life. He was a prosperous farmer and a worthy citizen, one who by his qualities of heart and mind won the respect of his neighbors. He and his wife died on the same day, and were buried in one grave at the same time.
Smith M. French, Mr. French's father, was born in Bethany, Conn., and when very young he went to live with an uncle, who later ap- prenticed him to a blacksmith. He became a thoroughly capable workman, and his most important engagement while following that calling was with the Wheeler & Wilson Sew- ing Machine Company in their factory at Watertown, where he was employed for many years. He finally abandoned his trade; and, settling upon a farm of one hundred and thirty acres of improved land, he cultivated it suc- cessfully for the rest of his lite, and died at the age of sixty years. He was a Democrat in politics, and took an active interest in public affairs, but invariably refused office. He was distinctively a self-made man, and he filled an honorable place among the well to do residents of Watertown. His wife was a daughter of David Wheeler, a prosperous farmer and she cessful carriage manufacturer of Watertown. Mr. Wheeler raised a large family, among whom was Nathaniel, who became one of the projectors of the well known sewing machine company. Mrs. French became the mother of two children ; namely. Sarah J. and William G. She died at the age of seventy sit Like her husband, she attended the Episcopal church.
William G. French commenced his edu tion in the common schools, and completed his studies at the Watertown Academy. Hle as- sisted in carrying on the farm ; and, succeeding
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to the ownership of the property after his father's death, he has since managed it, ob- taining ample returns for the energy and abil- ity he has displayed. He has been occupied in general farming and in the breeding of Devon stock, for which he has been awarded several prizes at county fairs. He has been connected with the Watertown Agricultural and Horse Association since its organization thirty years ago. He was for fifteen years its president, during which time he did much to develop its popularity and usefulness, was mainly instrumental in incorporating it into a stock company, and aided in bringing its grounds to their present improved condition. In politics he supports the Democratic party, and has long been identified with public affairs. He was first elected a member of the Board of Selectmen in 1872, and has served in that body in all sixteen years, eight of which he has been chairman. Although Watertown is strongly Republican, he has been elected to represent it in the legislature, being the first Democratic member from the town since 1846. In the House of Representatives he displayed an ability and capacity for legislative work which gained for him a high reputation throughout the State. He served as a member of the Committee upon Engrossed Bills in the session of 1875, and in that of 1883 he was appointed to the Committee upon Contested Elections. He has been a member of the State Board of Agriculture for ten years and a Director of the State Agricultural Society for several years. He has filled an important place upon the Democratic State Committee for some time, and has been a Justice of the Peace for a long period. He has taken an active interest in the Patrons of Husbandry, and is a charter member of Watertown Grange. In his religious views he is an Episcopalian, and is a liberal supporter of Christ's Church,
with which he has been officially connected as a Trustee of the parish and a Vestryman at different times. He is counted among the foremost men of the town.
ILLIAM W. MINER, Secretary and Treasurer of the New Process Nail Company of Torrington, Conn., was born in New London, Conn., September 27, 1841. He is the son of David C. and Abigail (Mason) Miner, and comes of old Colonial stock on both sides of the family. The Miners were among the original settlers of New London, locating there in 1638, when it was called Pequot Harbor. According to Calk- ins's History of Connecticut the first male child born in New London was Manasseh Miner, and from that time to the present the succeeding generations were all born in New London. Nathaniel Miner, the grandfather of William W. Miner, was born in 1785. He was a contractor and builder, and had a large business, filling contracts in New London and along the coast, including a considerable amount of government work. He died in New London at the age of eighty-three. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Thomas, was a daughter of John and Elizabeth Thomas, of New London. This family is one of the oldest in the place, the earliest ancestors hav- ing settled there in Colonial times. Grand- mother Miner lived to be eighty-two years of age.
David C. Miner was the third of eight children. He was reared in New London, was master or captain of different vessels, was connected with the United States Navy, and with the Naval Academy during the war. He is now living in New London, retired from business life, and, though seventy-nine years of age, is still active. His wife was the
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daughter of. Wilson and Mary (Davis) Mason, of New London. Wilson Mason was a direct descendant of John Mason, a prominent man in New London in Colonial times, whose name has passed into history on account of his diplo- matic dealings with the Indians. Wilson Mason served in the War of 1812, and other members of the family took an active part in the Revolution. He lived to be eighty-two years of age, in that respect being no exception to the general rule, as each member of the family lived over eighty years. Ilis wife also, whose maiden name was Mary Davis, belonged to one of the old families, her ancestors having migrated from Long Island to New London in 1665. Mr. and Mrs. Mason were the parents of seven children. Mrs. Miner died in New London at the age of sixty-three, having reared six children. Only two of them, the subject of this sketch and George D., of Providence, R. I., are now living. Both parents were members of the Methodist church in New London.
William W. Miner received his education in the schools of New London, ending his studies at the high school. At sixteen he began to learn the machinist's trade. After serving an apprenticeship of three years he. entered the army, enlisting in 1861 as a three months' volunteer, under Captain Edward Chapman, in the Second Connectient Regi- ment, commanded by Colonel Alfred H. Terry, afterward General Ferry. At the expi- ration of his term of service Mr. Miner went into business as a contractor for gun work in the army, and was thus engaged until the close of the war. He then returned to New Lon don, and, entering the employ of the New London Horseshoe Nail Company, in the course of time rose to the position of superin tendent, which he ocenpied two years. He subsequently spent some time in Chicago in
the employ of the North-western Nail Com- pany, and was ten years superintendent of the Globe Nail Company in Boston. Mr. Miner then went abroad for the purpose of establish- ing horseshoe nail companies in Sweden, Rus- sia, Germany, and England, returning to forward machinery and men from Boston to superintend the work. His next move was to New Haven, where, associated with C. S. Mersick, he became manager and part owner of the New Haven Horseshoe Nail Company. He subsequently sold this plant to a company in Sweden; and he then came to Torrington and assisted in establishing the New Process Nail Company of Torrington, the "new proc- ess" of manufacturing a fine grade of horse- shoe nails being his invention. Of this company he is now secretary and treasurer. Mr. Miner is secretary and treasurer of several other companies, and a member of the firm of Miner & Peck Manufacturing Company of New Haven, Conn., who manufacture drop presses and drop forging.
Mr. Miner was married in 1862 to Sarah Gardner, of New London, Con., daughter of Roswell and Eunice ( Harris) Gardner, natives of New London. Mr. Gardner's parents be longed in Wickford, R. I. ; and Mrs. Gardner belonged to one of the old families of New London. They reared four children. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Miner was blessed by three children, two of whom are living, Lonis G. and Curtis A. The former is clerk in the Colophitt Manufacturing Company of New Haven, Conn. ; the latter is a clerk in the employ of his father Mr. Miner is a Repub lican in his political views. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Union Lodge of New London, Conn , and also to the Chapter and the Commandery and to Pyramid Temple (Shrine) of Bridgeport. He is member of the association of Knights and
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Ladies of Honor of Boston, and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of New Haven. With his family he attends the Congregational church. Mr. Miner is well versed in me- chanics, and, with ambition, good judgment, and a remarkable capacity for business, he has established a reputation that is world-wide.
OHN H. HALL, one of the most pro- gressive farmers of the Lower Mer- ryall District in the town of New Milford, was born in New Marlboro, Berkshire County, Mass., September 24, 1835, son of George and Cynthia (Fargo) Hall. Mr. Hall's father was a native and a lifelong resi- dent of New Marlboro, where he was a pros- perous farmer during the active period of his life. He was energetic and industrious, an intelligent and useful citizen, and a stanch Republican in politics. He lived to the age of seventy-three. His wife, who was a daugh- ter of Moses Fargo, became the mother of eleven children, namely: Merrick G .; Will- iam A .; Caroline C .; Wallace W. ; Jane M. ; Abraham; Warren B. ; Milton D. ; Eleanor ; John H., the subject of this sketch; and James M. The mother lived to the age of seventy-four years.
John H. Hall received his education in Monterey, Mass. ; and at the age of nineteen he went to California, where he was success- fully engaged in mining for nearly eight years. He then returned East, and after his marriage rented some land in Dover Plains, where he was engaged in the cultivation of tobacco for six years. For the succeeding seven years he followed general farming and tobacco-raising in the towns of Amenia and Kent, this county. In 1876 he settled in New Milford and pur- chased the farm of Captain F. Bennett, sit- uated in the Lower Merryall District, which
consists of one hundred and fifty acres of finely located land; and there he has since resided. He has improved the property by erecting new buildings and remodelling the old ones, and by bringing his land to such a high state of cultivation that he now produces some of the best crops in the valley. He is interested quite extensively in dairying. For this busi- ness he keeps a herd of twenty-five choice Ayr- shire cows; while his cooling-room and other facilities for producing a superior quality of butter are of the latest improved design. He is by nature a tireless worker; and during the earlier part of his agricultural experience he owned a thrashing machine, which he oper- ated in his spare time for the farmers of his locality. In politics he is a Republican. He has always manifested a lively interest in pub- lic affairs, and he is well qualified for public office. He was a member of the Board of Selectmen for two terms, besides holding other town offices, in all of which he has rendered able and valuable services to the community.
On November 4, 1863, Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Frances J. Clark, daughter of William and Eunice Clark, and has seven children, as follows: George C., who was born. October 22, 1864, married to Lucy Kendricks, and has three children, named John H., Har- old, and Eunice; Ellen A., born May 5, 1866, married to William Stone, and has three children, namely - Anna F., Marion E., and Clarence; Evelyn L., born January 16, 1869, married to William Kenney, and has two chil- dren, named Raymond and Elizabeth; Lillian I., born September 1, 1871, wife of William Pomeroy ; John H., Jr., born December 17, 1873, who marricd Kittie Barley ; Milton D., born March 12, 1879; and T. Susan, born December 25, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are members of the Baptist church.
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RSON E. CARTWRIGHT, an ex- tensive farmer of Woodbury and a self-made man, was born in Sharon, Litchfield County, September 8, 1840, son of David S. and Nancy (Howard) Cartwright. The family is of carly Colonial origin. Mr. Cartwright's grandparents were Anson and Mary (Smith) Cartwright, the former of whom was a native of Sharon, where he became a prosperous farmer and stock dealer. He was a Democrat in politics, and a Methodist in his religious views. Both he and his wife lived to an advanced age. Their children were : Ansel, Watson, David S., Laura, Matilda, Mary, and Emily.
David S. Cartwright, Mr. Cartwright's father, was born in Sharon and reared to agri- cultural life. When a young man he bought a farm, and cultivated it successfully for many years. In the course of time he increased its extent to two hundred acres. At the age of fifty-five years he sold it and invested his capi- tal in Western land. He purchased a comfort- able residence in Sharon, where he resided in retirement for the rest of his life, and died at the age of eighty-one years. He supported the Democratic party in politics, and was prominently identified with public affairs in Sharon. He served as First Selectman for several years, also as Justice of the Peace and in other town offices; and he represented his town in the legislature. His first wife became the mother of eight children, namely : Caro line; Anson; Helen; Emily; Louise; Orson E., the subject of this sketch : Mary, who died young ; and Nancy. She died at the age of fifty four, and he wedded for his second wife Cynthia Rogers. He was a Universalist in his religions views.
Orson E. Cartwright commenced his educa- tion in the district schools of Sharon, and completed his studies at the Amenia Semi
nary. Beginning at the age of eighteen to teach school in the locality, he followed that occupation successfully for twenty-five winter terms. He occupied his summers in farming, and also engaged in burning charcoal in the towns of Canaan, Salisbury, and Roxbury. Later he became a pedler, selling merchandise by wholesale to country store-keepers. In 1878 he settled in the town of Woodbury, where he purchased the estate of B. Peck, a farm of one hundred and fifteen acres. This property he improved to a considerable extent, erecting a new barn and creamery, and remod- elling the other buildings. He subsequently bought the Benjamin C. Peck property, erected a new house upon it, and has since resided there. The old farm is now occupied by his son, Howard C., with whom he is interested in business. His chief occupation is dairying. In his political views he is a Democrat. Hle has held various important offices in the town, and has been a School Visitor for some years. He is a member of King Solomon Lodge. A. F. & A. M., and was one of the founders of the Grange in Woodbury, of which he was the first Master.
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