USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Litchfield County, Connecticut > Part 44
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On November 10, 1860, Mr. Cartwright was united in marriage to Margaret F. Frost. daughter of Alonzo C. and Sara J. (Peck) Frost. Mrs. Cartwright's grandparents, Lewis and Abiah (Keeler) Frost, were among the carly settlers and prosperous residents of Bridgewater, Conn. Her Father, Alonzo C. Frost, married for his first wife Snah Bris tow, and for his second wife Saint ] Peck. who was a daughter of Ephraim Peck Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright have two children, namely : Howard C., who was born September 13, 1872; and Edith \ , who was ben Sep- tember 4, 1883. Howard C. Cartwright was married on October of 1805, to Clara T. Miner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles
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Miner, of Woodbury, who are descendants of original settlers of that town. Mr. Cartwright is a man of much public spirit, and occupies a prominent position among the well-to-do resi- dents of Woodbury. Both he and his wife are Episcopalians.
AMILTON B. GRISWOLD, M. D., a prominent physician of New Mil- ford and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Uxbridge, Mass., April 28, 1847, son of Ralph B. and Eliza (Butler) Gris- wold. Horace Griswold, father of Ralph B., was born in Enfield, Conn., and was a prosper- ous farmer of that town, where he passed his entire life. He married a Miss Bidwell, by whom he had seven children, as follows : James, Allen, Ralph B., Gilbert G., Matilda Maria, Delia, and Lora.
Ralph B. Griswold when a young man en- tered the ready-made clothing business, which he followed successfully in various places for forty years. He then engaged in buying wool through the Western States for the Boston market, following that business profitably until 1868, at which time he retired from active pursuits, and now resides with his son. He invested extensively in Western land, and at the present time owns large tracts in Min- nesota and Tennessee. He is a Republican in politics, and has been a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity since early manhood. His wife, Eliza Butler, who was a daughter of Berzalda B. and Catherine Butler, became the mother of four children, as follows: Hamilton B., the subject of this sketch; William Arthur, who married Rosa Day, and resides in Kent; Nellie, wife of Edward Allen, of Newton; and Lora, who died young. Mrs. Eliza B. Griswold died at the age of fifty- seven.
Hamilton B. Griswold attended the district schools, where he obtained a knowledge of the ordinary branches of education there taught. In August, 1862, in his sixteenth year, he enlisted as a private in Company K, Sixth Connecticut Regiment, and served nine months in the Civil War, at the expiration of which time he returned home, and was thereafter en- gaged with his father in the wool business until 1872. He then began the study of medi- cine with Dr. Kimball, of Lowell, Mass., afterward pursuing a course at the Chicago Medical College, later attending the medical department of the University of Vermont, from which he was graduated with the class of 1885 ; and in 1887 he settled in Gaylordsville, Conn., where he conducted a good practice for two years. In 1889 he moved to New Mil- ford, where he has since continued actively. and successfully engaged in the duties of his profession, at the present time occupying an office in the W. B. Allen Block on Bank Street. He has recently purchased a valuable lot at the corner of Main Street and Whittle- sey Avenue, one of the most desirable loca- tions in the village, where he has already erected a barn, and contemplates building a substantial residence in the near future. He is a member of the State Medical Society; of St. Paul's Lodge, A. F. & A. M. ; of Housa- tonic Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and of the Knights of Honor, of which he is Medical Examiner.
Dr. Griswold has been twice married. On August 5, 1874, he wedded for his first wife Mary McLaughlin, and by this union has had two children, namely : Gertrude A., who died at the age of seven years; and James A., who was born in February, 1876. He married for his second wife Cora H. Brown, daughter of Lyman and Harriet Brown, and has had three children, as follows: Frank, who died in in-
H. B. GRISWOLD.
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fancy; Elfreda H., born in 1893; and Mona, born in 1895.
Dr. Griswold is an exceedingly busy practi- tioner, having won an enviable reputation in New Milford and the adjacent towns. His likeness will be recognized on the page oppo- site the beginning of this brief notice of his family and of his professional career to the present date.
AMES F. MORRISSEY, a prosperous farmer and a leading tobacco grower of Gaylordsville, in the town of New Mil- ford, was born in the locality known as Stil- son's Ilill, March 11, 1851, son of Timothy and Bridget (Welch) Morrissey. Mr. Morris- sey's parents, who were natives of County Tip- perary, Ireland, emigrated to the United States in 1840, and settled in New Milford, where they successfully engaged in agriculture. Ile was a capable and industrious farmer, and won the respect of his neighbors. He labored per- severingly during the active period of his life, and died in 1893, aged eighty-one years. His first wife, Bridget (Welch) Morrissey, died in 1855, aged forty- five years, leaving five chil- dren, as follows: John, Nora, James F., Mary A., and Edward. He married for his second wife Mrs. Mary Cavenaugh, who bore him two children, namely : Julia (deceased) and Anna.
James F. Morrissey was reared to farming, and in carly manhood purchased a farm sit - nated upon Long Mountain. He remodelled the house, built a new barn, and otherwise improved the property, upon which he resided for four years. He then sold the farm and bought the homestead of eighty acres which was formerly the property of A. Gaylord, and began the cultivation of tobacco. This branch of agriculture proving profitable, he has since added the farms of F. Sturgis and A. Knapp,
containing respectively fifty-five acres and one hundred and thirty acres, making various improvements upon the buildings. He has spacious storage and dry houses, and is one of the largest growers and packers of tobacco in his section, disposing, as he does, of about three hundred and fifty cases annually. Ile conducts a large dairy, keeping about forty cows; and he has five horses, besides several oxen, all of which are employed about the farm.
On April 7, 1880, Mr. Morrissey was united in marriage to Kattic Rodgers, dangh- ter of Patrick and Catherine (McBreen) Rody- ers, both natives of Ireland, who emigrated to the United States in 1846. Patrick Rodg- ers became engaged in teaming in New York City, where he carried on a successful business for some years. He later moved to Pawling. N. Y., and from there to South Dover, where he bought a large farm, which he conducted for the remainder of his life. He died in 1893, aged seventy five years. His wife be came the mother of eight chiklren, namely : Anna, Catherine, John, Mary E., Charles, Philip, Susan, and Kattic. The mother died in 1889, aged sixty one years. Mr. Mor rissey's energy and ability as a farmer Je well known throughout the community in which he lives. He is now enjoying a good share of prosperity as the result of his labor. He is a Republican in politics, and attends the Roman Catholic church.
ILLIS G. FRENCH, of Thomas ton, who is employed by the Phone & Atwood Company as a este of sich metal, was bom in Thomaston, July 2o. 1857, son of Asahel and Holdah (Chinchill) French
His father, who was a native of Oytenl,
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Conn., spent the early years of his life there and in the town of Litchfield, receiving his education in the common school. He was first engaged to work on a farm by the month, but later he purchased and cultivated a small place in Northfield. Meeting with good suc- cess he was able to rent, and subsequently in 1856 to buy, a larger farm on Walnut Hill in Thomaston. From time to time he added to this place until he was the owner of over three hundred acres at the time of his death. He became prosperous, and came to be a well- known and highly respected citizen of that community. He died there at sixty-nine years of age. His wife, whose maiden name was Huldah Churchill, was born in the western part of Litchfield County, in the town of Litchfield. Her father was one of the pioneer settlers of that county. He was twice mar- ried; and she was the only daughter born of his union with her mother, who was loved and respected by all who knew her. She bore her husband four sons and three daughters, and six are still living, namely : Hiram, a success- ful agriculturist of Northfield, Conn. ; Han- nah, who married Franklin Perkins; Asa, residing in Northfield; Willis G., of this sketch ; Ralph, employed as a caster by the Plume & Atwood Company; and Martha, the wife of B. Stone, of Torrington. The mother is now making her home with her son, Ralph French. She is an attendant of the Methodist church. In political views he was a Demo- crat, and took an active interest in all the affairs of his town. He served as Selectman for several years, and also as a member of the School Committee.
Willis G. French lived with his parents until he attained his majority, receiving a practical education in the common school, but devoting his attention to farm work out of school hours. He then obtained a situation
with the Plume & Atwood Company as a yard hand, after which he worked as a helper with a caster for two and a half years. He next engaged as a caster of brass, and then he be- came a caster of rich metal, and now he makes a specialty of German silver, plater's metal, rivet wire, and similar products, all of which require a high grade of workmanship.
On December 31, 1879, he was joined in marriage with Miss Emma Warner Foster, an adopted daughter of Rufus Foster, of Van Buren, Onondaga County, N. Y., where her father was one of the most successful agricult- urists of that section. Their union has been brightened by the birth of a son, Leroy French, thirteen years of age. In political issues Mr. French casts his vote with the Democratic party, but has never been a seeker of official position. In 1892 he was elected a. Director of the Thomaston Savings Bank, and he is also a Director of the Knife Company. He is an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is an active mem- ber. They reside in the residence which he erected in 1881, and which is located on Jud- son Street, overlooking the village.
CATHER T. F. BANNON, the priest in charge of the Lakeville Catholic Church, St. Patrick's of Falls Village, and St. Joseph's at Canaan, Conn., was born in Winsted, Litchfield County, Conn., January 14, 1864. Timothy Bannon, his father, was born in Ireland, whence he emigrated to America many years ago. He married Miss Catherine Garraghty, a daughter of James Gar- raghty. Their union was blessed by the birth of six children; namely, William, James, T. F., Mary, Rose, and Frank.
Father T. F. Bannon in his boyhood at- tended the parochial schools of Winsted,
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taught by the Sisters of St. Francis. Subse- quently deciding to enter the priesthood, he took a theological course at the St. Bonavent- ure College and Seminary, of Allegany, N. Y., from which he graduated in 1889. That same year he came to Lakeville as assistant to Father Fox, and was continued as assistant to the latter's successor, Father Donahue. At Father Donahue's death, in 1891, he took charge of the Lakeville Church, also of St. Patrick's at Falls Village, and St. Joseph's at Canaan, Conn. Although the duties con- nected with his charge are so numerous and his parish extends over so large a territory, everything is accomplished with commendable despatch, and he is much esteemed and beloved by his many parishioners.
GBERT T. BUTLER, of Norfolk, prin- cipal promoter of the Connecticut Western Railroad, was born in Plym- outh, Conn., December 21, 1813, son of Cal- vin and Rosanna (Phelps) Butler, and grand- son of Nathan Butler. Mr. Butler's father was born in Wolcott, New Haven County, and after completing his education studied law. He became a prominent lawyer of Plymouth, where he practised his profession for over forty years, and was a Judge for several terms. He died in Plymouth, aged seventy-three years. He married for his first wife Rosanna Phelps, daughter of Jedediah Phelps, of Nor- tolk; and his children by this union were: Mary. Charles, Ann, Calvin R., James A., Egbert T., and Alonzo. His first wife died at the age of thirty-four; and he wedded for his second wife Mary Ann Nickelson, daugh- ter of Angus Nickelson, of New Milford. She died, having had six children ; namely, Malcolm A., John A., Helen R., Robert II., Malcolm N., and Margaret.
Egbert T. Butler was educated in the com- mon schools of Plymouth. In 1841 he estab- lished his residence in Norfolk, where he has since resided, and has become a prominent business man and a leading citizen. He rep- resented his district in the legislature for sev- eral terms. He is, perhaps, more especially known for his connection with the building of the Connecticut Western Railroad ; and he has been called the father of that enterprise. He first agitated the scheme in 1866; and though surrounded by many difficulties he at length succeeded by his own personal efforts in secur- ing a survey, which brought the project into public notice and finally cleared the way for the completion of the road. It is considered by those best informed that to Mr. Butler's steady perseverance and persistent efforts is due the ultimate success of the undertaking. The citizens of Norfolk at a public meeting held in the interests of the road on September 12, 1870, manifested their appreciation of his services by presenting him with a handsome gold watch, suitably engraved. After he sue- ceeded in procuring a survey, Mr. Butler was sent to the legislature in 1866, for the purpose of forwarding the interests of the road and securing a charter, and during that session he was appointed chairman of the House Com. mittee upon Railroads. On October 20, 1800. Mr. Butler broke ground for the road by up- lifting the first shovelful of earth in Winsted. He subsequently drove the last spike which completed the road. He was a director of the corporation from its organization, and for sev eral years his concentrated energies have been devoted to the development and success of the road.
Mr. Butler has been twice married On May 1, 1830, he was wedded to Jeannette I'mtter. She died December 23, 1862, len ing one son and one daughter, namely : Egbert
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J., who resides in Buffalo, N. Y. ; and Harriet R., who died November 17, 1877. On Janu- ary 17, 1864, Mr. Butler married for his sec- ond wife Celia E. Hall, of Sandisfield, Mass. ; and the children by this union are : Jeannette L. and Charlotte. Mr. Butler occupies one of the finest estates in Litchfield County. It is situated near the line which separates Litch- field County from Berkshire County, Massa- chusetts, and it is elevated fourteen hundred feet above the level of the sea. The house was erected in 1792.
EORGE H. JOHNSON, of East Mor- ris, proprietor of the general store in which the post-office is located, was born in Morris, April 1, 1869, son of Francis and Statira (Judson) Johnson. Mr. Johnson's grandfather, Henry Johnson, was a native and lifelong resident of Watertown, Conn. Throughout his life he was engaged in farm- ing, which yielded him a good income. He married Lydia Wattles, and raised a family of three children, who were: Francis; Eliza, who became Mrs. Hayes; and Lucy, who be- came Mrs. Turkington. Francis Johnson, Mr. Johnson's father, who was born in Watertown in 1834, moved to Morris in 1867, and is now engaged in farming, which has been the prin- cipal occupation of his life. He is energetic and industrious, and is prominent among the successful farmers of Morris. His wife, a daughter of Vincent Judson, of Woodbury, has reared two children, namely: George H., the subject of this sketch; and Sallie.
George H. Johnson received his education in the public schools of his native town and at the Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, Mass. Upon the completion of his studies he entered mercantile life as a clerk. He continued in that capacity for a few years, when he seized
what he deemed a favorable opportunity to enter business on his own account, by purchas- ing a store in East Morris. This he has profitably conducted since. He is a progres- sive and careful business man, possessing a good knowledge of what his customers want in this line of general merchandise, and so able to hold and increase the liberal patronage he has attracted. The post-office, which was es- tablished in East Morris during President Cleveland's first administration, was originally located in this store, where it still remains. Mr. Johnson is a Republican in politics, and has served with marked ability as Town Clerk since May, 1893. He is a member of St. Paul's Lodge, A. F. & A. M. In 1892 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Marion Page, daughter of George Page, of Morris, and has one daughter, named Mary Gladys. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson attend the Congre- gational church.
LBERT P. ROBERTS, of Litchfield, a lawyer, notary public, Justice of the Peace, Town Auditor, Registrar of Voters, Secretary of the School Committee, and a grand juror, entered upon the stage of life October 29, 1863, son of Elbert G. Rob- erts, who was born in Cornwall, this county. His paternal grandfather, Peter Roberts, who was born in Cornwall and· passed all his life in that town, was a tavern-keeper and a prosper- ous farmer. His farm was situated in a part of the town known as "Roberts Hill," where he resided until his death, at the age of forty- six years. He married Johanna Wooster, the daughter of pioneer settlers of Goshen. She is still living, an active and bright old lady of ninety-two years, making her home with her grandson, the subject of this sketch.
Elbert G. Roberts was the only child born
WALTER BURNHAM.
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to his parents. He acquired his elementary education in the district schools, and was sub- sequently graduated from the Wesleyan Uni- versity at Middletown. After his graduation he went to his mother, then residing in St. Louis, Mo., with her second husband. In that city he entered business, first as a whole- sale dealer and later as a retail dealer, and met with success for some time. In 1861 he returned to Litchfield County, settling in the town of Litchfield, and engaging in the manu- facture of cotton yarn for ten or more years in Goshen. He died at the age of sixty-two years. He married a Southern girl, Virginia Kerr, the daughter of a large cotton planter, and they reared a family of five children, as follows: Helen, who resides with Elbert P. ; George, a graduate of Hobart College and of the College of Physicians and Surgeons at New York, who is now a practising physician at Attleboro, Mass. ; Anna, a teacher in Duluth, in a school connected with the Chi- cago University ; John, an extensive farmer in Illinois; and Elbert P., the subject of this sketch. The mother is still living with her youngest son in Litchfield. She is a woman of great personal worth, belonging to the Con- gregational church, of which her husband was also a member.
Elbert P. Roberts acquired his early knowl edge of books at the district schools, and after- ward attended a well-known private school. When quite young Mr. Roberts first studied law with Chief Justice Andrews, and then with Mr. Hickox, a prominent lawyer of Litchfield. Having been admitted to the bar in 1884. he has practised his chosen profession in his native town with a good measure of suc- cess, having won a fair share of patronage. In addition to his law work he is also interested in real estate, doing a fair business in buying and selling. Mr. Roberts affiliates with the
Democratic party, being an earnest advocate of its principles and influential in its ranks. He is a member of St. Paul's Lodge, No. 11, A. F. & A. M. ; of Darius Chapter, No. 16, Royal Arch Masons; and of Buel Council. He attends the Episcopal church.
AJOR WALTER BURNHAM, a commercial traveller residing in Washington, Litchfield County, Conn., and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in New Preston, Conn., August 19, 1832, son of Daniel and Laura (Patterson) Burnham. Mr. Burnham's father was born in East Hart- ford, Conn., in 1802. Ile learned the trades of blacksmith and stone cutter, and settling in Washington when he was twenty-nine years of age he followed these occupations for many years. He finally engaged in the manufacture 'of twine, which he conducted successfully in New Preston during the remainder of his active period. Ile died in 1886, aged eighty. four years. His wife, Laura Patterson, who was a daughter of Nehemiah Patterson, of Washington, became the mother of three chil- den, namely: Walter, the subject of this sketch: Harriet ; and Dayton. Mrs. Laura P. Burnham died at the age of sixty two years, in 1873.
Walter Burnham began his studies in the district schools of New Preston, and completed his education at the New Britain Academy He was for some time engaged in the twine business with his father ; but in 1808 he be came a commercial traveller, and has since been employed in that capacity, his business headquarters being in Bridgeport, Conn Early during the Civil War of 1861 6; he en listed as a private in Company H. Nineteenth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantis. in which he served three years, gaining a most
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honorable record, being promoted, step by step, to the rank of Captain, and finally bre- vetted Major.
In 1858 Major Burnham was united in mar- riage to Edna Smith, daughter of Rufus and Sally A. (Bacon) Smith, of Washington. He is a member of Rising Sun Lodge, No. 26, A. F. & A. M., and a comrade of Upton Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of New Milford.
His portrait is herewith presented.
PRANK H. HOTCHKISS, the capable and efficient superintendent of the movement department in the factory of the Seth Thomas Company, Thomaston, was born in Thomaston, on October II, 1847, son of Henry S. and Hannah A. (Trowbridge) Hotchkiss. The first member of this family to settle in this country was Samuel Hotch- kiss, who came from Essex, England, to New Haven, Conn., in 1641, being among the earliest settlers of that community. For the most part this family and their descendants have resided in Connecticut, one branch mak- ing its home in Sharon.
The great-great-grandfather, Gideon Hotch- kiss, settled in Waterbury, Conn., in 1736. He served as Captain in the Revolutionary War, and also took part in the French and Indian War. He was the father of nineteen children, had one hundred and five grandchil- dren, one hundred and fifty-five great-grand- children, and lived to see four children of the fifth generation. His son Asahel, the father of Asahel A., became the head of the Sharon branch of the family; and his son Augustus was the father of the inventor of the well- known Hotchkiss gun. Another son, Titus, was the great-grandfather of Frank H., of this sketch. William Hotchkiss, son of Titus, was born in Prospect, Conn., in 1784.
He gave his attention to agricultural pur- suits; and, on attaining his majority, he re- moved to Watertown, Conn., where he spent his life in farming. He died in 1858, seventy-four years of age. Although he was twice married, his five children were born of his first union, which was with Miss Lucy Atwood.
Henry S. Hotchkiss spent his early. days on his father's farm. He subsequently went to work in Hoadley's Clock Factory at Plym- outh. After a time he left there to accept a position in the case-making department of the Seth Thomas Clock Company. This firm em- ployed him up to the time of his death, in 1884, a period of between forty and forty-five years. He was seventy-three years old when he died. His wife was born in Cornwall, Conn., where her father, Joel Trowbridge, followed the twofold occupation of a miller and cooper. Their union was blessed by the birth of two sons, namely: William H., a clock - maker in the factory of which his brother is superintendent; and Frank H. Their mother died in the fifty-seventh year of her age. Both parents were connected with the Congregational church of Thomaston.
Frank H. Hotchkiss has always lived in the house where he now resides. He ob- tained a good practical education in the com- mon schools. When fifteen years of age he went to work in the clock factory. In the course of time, as he became familiar with the various departments of the work, he was pro- moted to the position of foreman of one of the rooms. Finally, in 1884, having served as foreman for ten years, he was given full charge of the two factories which make up the movement department of this great business enterprise. He still holds this position, . which he has filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to his employers.
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