USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Litchfield County, Connecticut > Part 46
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73
Mr. Kimlin's union in marriage with
Miss Laura A. White, a daughter of Edwin and Rhoda (Hodge) White, of Sherman, Conn., has been blessed by the birth of two children, namely: Frank R., who married Miss Susie Walker, and is engaged as book- keeper for his father; and Nellie M., who is still in school at Ingleside. Mr. Kimlin is an Independent Republican. He is a member of St. Peter's Lodge, No. 21, A. F. & A. M .; Housatonic Chapter, No. 33, Royal Arch Masons; the Knights of Honor; and the Good Shepherd Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows - all of New Milford. He and his family occupy the fine residence that he built on Treadwell Avenue in 1889.
RANK DOUGLASS, Assistant Post- master and general merchant of Oak- ville, was born in Warren, August 13, 1870, son of Charles and Lizzie (Taylor) Douglass. Mr. Douglass's grandfather, Silas A. Douglass, who was born April 3, 1810, when a young man settled in Warren, where he followed agriculture successfully for many years. He spent the last years of his life in Oakville, and died July 5, 1888. He mar- ried Elvira Morgan, born in Kent, August 18, 1812, who reared six children, three of whom are living, namely: Jane, who married William Weeks; Hattie, who married John Youde; and Charles.
Charles Douglass, father of Mr. Douglass, was born in Kent, April 22, 1844. He en- tered business in Oakville, where he con- ducted a thriving trade for several years. He subsequently engaged in the coal and wood business in Watertown, which he carried on successfully until his retirement. He is now a resident of Oakville, and is prominently identified with public affairs. At the present time he is a member of the Board of Select-
---
-
!
427
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
men, is superintending the construction of roads, and has been Postmaster since 1882. He is a Democrat in politics. His long and honorable business career has carned for him the sincere respect of all who know him. His wife, born August 2, 1852, is a daughter of Daniel S. Taylor, a prosperous farmer of Waterbury, Conn. She reared but one son, Frank, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Doug- lass's parents are members of the Congrega- tional church, and his mother is a lady distinguished by many admirable character- istics. Her mother, whose maiden name was Mary Jane Woodruff, was a daughter of Leman Woodruff, of Washington, Conn., and is still living, being now sixty-two years old.
Frank Douglass commenced his education by attending the common schools, and com- pleted his studies at the high schools of Waterbury and Watertown. At the close of his school days he entered the office of the Connecticut Indemnity Insurance Company of Waterbury, where he had charge of the claim department for one year. He then engaged in mercantile business with his father in Oak- ville. Since his father's retirement he has continued the business with success, main- taining by a personal attention to every detail the high reputation for fair dealing and the same liberal patronage accorded to his father. Ile deals in general merchandise, including groceries and dry goods. As Postmaster his duties are performed with a courtesy that is warmly appreciated by the entire community. In politics he is a Democrat, and has served as a member of the Board of Education and as School Visitor for four years. He is a member of Federal Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Watertown, and of the Royal Arch Chapter of Waterbury. He is also connected with the Red Men, the Order of the Eastern Star of Waterbury, the Ancient Order of United
Workmen of Watertown, and was formerly a member of the Good Templars of Oakville.
In November, 1891, Mr. Douglass was united in marriage to Blanche Hurd. Mrs. Douglass was born in La Harpe, Ill., daugh- ter of Daniel Hurd, an extensive and success- ful merchant of that town, who retired from business in 1890, and is now living in Oak- ville. Daniel Ilurd's family consisted of two children, Alice and Blanche. Mr. and Mrs. Douglass are members of the Congregational church in Watertown, and Mrs. Donglass sings in the choir.
R EV. FRANK B. DRAPER, rector of
All Saints' Memorial Episcopal Church in New Milford, Conn .. was born in New York City, November 10, 1859, son of the Rev. George B. and Lucy B. (Goodhne) Draper. The Rev. George B. Draper, D.D., who was also a native of New York City, was a graduate of Columbia Col- lege in the class of 1845 and of the General Theological Seminary in the class of 1849. His first ecclesiastical duty was as assistant minister of St. Clement's Church, New York. in which capacity he served until 1850. He was then called to the rectorship of St. An drew's Church in the metropolis, and as such became widely and favorably known as an able preacher and a zealous, self-sacrificing Chris tian worker. He presided over St. Andrews's parish until his death, which occmed Sep- tember 2.4. 1870, his loss being keenly felt by the citizens in general, as well as by all members of his church. His wife, Lucy B. Goodhue, who still survives, was born in Ve mont, daughter of Wells Goodbue, formerly President of the First National Bank of Brat tleboro. She became the mother of six chil- dren, as follows: George Wells, who died in
428
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
1888, at the age of thirty-seven years; Fred- erick G .; Walter; Frank B., the subject of this sketch; Laura, wife of William Corlies; and Lizzie E., who married J. W. Merriam.
Frank B. Draper pursued a full course of study at Columbia College, taking in his Jun- ior year, after a competitive examination, the scholarship in science, and in his Senior year the Greek Seminary prize offered to those stu- dents of the graduating class expecting to enter the General Theological Seminary. After graduating with the class of 1880 he entered the General Theological Seminary, from which he graduated three years later, with the degree of B.D., and immediately commenced his life work as assistant to Dr. Thomas M. Peters at St. Michael's Church in New York City, where he remained until 1886. He was then called to St. Luke's Church in Matteawan, N. Y., to assist the rec- tor, the Rev. Henry Bedinger; and he there labored diligently until the spring of 1888. His next post of duty was at St. Andrew's Church in Emporia, Kan., where he was ac- tively engaged for one year, when he received and accepted a call to the rectorship of All Saints' Memorial Church in New Milford. This handsome church edifice was erected in 1882 and 1883 by Mrs. D. C. Sanford, in memory of her husband, the late Judge D. C. Sanford. It is built of limestone, and is finely constructed. During the present year there has been added a tower, sixty feet in height, containing a chime of thirteen tubular bells. This was erected in memory of Mrs. Sanford's late brother, the Rev. Edward C. Bull; and the whole forms a beautiful and imposing structure, such as is seldom seen outside of large cities. Mrs. Sanford has also presented the parish with a new rectory, finished in 1895, and containing all modern improvements, which greatly adds to the
beauty of the village. As rector of All Saints' Memorial Church, Mr. Draper has labored unceasingly for the general good of the community ; and his efforts are deservedly appreciated. He is a gentleman of scholarly ability and advanced culture, always in touch with rational, progressive ideas; and he is, above all, a forcible exponent of sound, Chris- tian doctrine.
On September 25, 1889, Mr. Draper was united in marriage with Isabel M. Coley, daughter of John H. and Mary Mercein (Everet) Coley, the former of whom was a successful merchant. Mr. and Mrs. Draper have had two children, namely: Marion Coley, born December 4, 1890, who died aged two years; and George Barnard, who was born October 3, 1892. Mr. Draper is actively interested in all matters relative to the moral and intellectual improvement of the village, and is Secretary of the New Milford Library Association.
EYMOUR CUNNINGHAM, who spends his summers in the town of Litchfield, Conn., is a man of sound mental training, and possesses good financial and business tact. He was born on September 13, 1863, in Troy, N.Y., son of the late William Orr Cunningham and the descendant of a prominent family of Belfast, Ireland.
John Cunningham, the paternal grandfather of the gentleman whose name we have placed at the head of this sketch, was born in Ire- land, in the city of Belfast, and emigrated to this country with his parents when a boy. He was reared to man's estate in the city of Albany, and there became identified with the industrial interests, being one of its most suc- cessful contractors and builders and there spending his declining years.
429
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
William Orr Cunningham, son of John, was born in Albany, and after becoming of age engaged in the manufacture of paper with his uncles, owners of a large factory in that city. He subsequently became a member of the well-known Troy firm of Orr & Co., owners of the then largest paper manufactory in the United States, who carried on an extensive business, for many years supplying the paper for the New York Tribune and the New York Evening Post. Mr. William O. Cunningham was a man of remarkable energy and business capacity, being a director in several national banks and very prominent in various enter- prises intimately connected with the advance- ment of the city. He was an indefatigable laborer in business, public, and social life, wearing himself out by over-exertion, so that before reaching the prime of manhood he died at the age of forty-one years. He married Jane Chester Knickerbacker, of Waterford, N. Y., a daughter of John Knickerbacker, a further notice of whom will be found in con- nection with the sketch of William G. Wall- bridge, elsewhere in this volume. They were married in 1857, and had two children, of whom Seymour was the only one to grow to maturity. The mother, who spends her sum- mers in Litchfield with her son, resides in Washington, D.C., during the winter season. She is a devout communicant of the Episcopal church, to which her husband also belonged.
Seymour Cunningham acquired a practical Foundation for his future education in the schools of Troy, and was subsequently grad- nated from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Insti- tute in 18844 as a civil engineer. He has not, however, followed his profession to any great extent, having been too busily engaged in looking after his interests in the oil regions of Pennsylvania and Ohio and in other corpo- rate properties. He owns and occupies one of
the most attractive residences in Litchfield, the house, which he erected in 1893, being located on South Street, near the site of the old Parmelee house. Here he is at home in the summer season, his winter residence being at Washington, D.C.
On June 6, 1892, Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage with Stephanie Whitney, of Oakland, Cal., the daughter of the Hon. George E. Whitney, formerly a brilliant lawyer, a State Senator, and a well-known politician of that State. Mr. Whitney died at the home of his son-in-law in Washington in the fifty-sixth year of his age, leaving as a heritage an honorable record of a life well- spent and an unsullied name, his public life, as his private, being above reproach. His widow, who before marriage was Mary Van Swaringen, of Louisville, Ky., is a resident of Oakland, Cal. Mrs. Cunningham is one of a large family of children, and is a niece of Justice Stephen D. Field, for whom she was named. She has two children, Cecil and Macklin. Mr. Cunningham is a stanch mem- ber of the Democratic party, having strangely deviated from the straight Republican paths in which he was reared by his father.
OMER BUCKINGHAM, a prosper- ons farmer of New Milford, a native resident, son of Gilbert and Annat (Gunn) Baklwin Buckingham, was born on November 20, 1828. Mr. Buckingham's great-grandfather on the paternal side was Nathaniel Buckingham, of Milford, New Haven County, who was an original proprie- tor of New Milford. Abel Buckingham, son of Nathaniel and Sarah Buckingham, was born in Milford. He came to New Milford about 1773, and settled on land about a mile north- east of Northville, where his grandson now
430
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
lives. Abel Buckingham died in 1827, aged eighty-one. He married in 1773 for his first wife Hannah Botsford, who died in 1801, and for his second wife Sarah Barnum. His chil- dren, all by his first wife, were: Nathaniel, Abel, Jr., Joseph, Samuel, Ephraim, and Gilbert.
Gilbert, the youngest son of Abel and Han- nah Buckingham, was born July 25, 1798. He grew to manhood on the ancestral farm, and always resided at the homestead, which he inherited after his father's death. Indus- trious and thrifty, he set out fruit trees, and otherwise increased the value of his property ; and in 1839 he built the house in which his son Homer now resides. He was a Whig in politics, holding some of the minor town offices, and was liberal in his religious vicws. He finally retired from active labor, and passed his last years with his son. On December 5, 1813, he married his first wife, whose maiden name was Annis Stone. She died June 8, 1824, leaving five children; namely, John, Mary, Royal, William, and Orrin. His second wife, Mrs. Anna (Gunn) Baldwin, whom he wedded May 1, 1825, was born July 14, 1788, and died leaving three children: Ralph; Homer, the subject of this sketch ; and Annis.
Homer Buckingham, having begun in his boyhood to assist in the labors of the farm, became familiar with the various branches of agriculture, and in early manhood took charge of the farm, caring for his parents during their declining years. He succeeded to the ownership of the homestead by purchasing the interests of the other heirs, and has since effected many notable improvements in the property. His buildings are kept in perfect repair ; and the maple-trees, which he set out in his younger days, greatly assist in beautify- ing the place. Mr. Buckingham is engaged
in dairying, which he conducts with the most gratifying success, keeping a herd of thirty- five choice cattle.
On November 11, 1851, Mr. Buckingham married Adeline Couch, daughter of William and Urania (Northrop) Couch, both of whom were natives of New Milford. William Couch was born January 5, 1803. In young manhood he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in connection with farm- ing; and he was well and favorably known as an industrious and useful citizen. He was a Whig in politics, holding both county and town offices, and was a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. He died July 9, 1885. His wife, Urania Northrop, who was born October 18, 1804, died July 15, 1874. Their three children were: Adeline, who is now Mrs. Buckingham; Salmon; and Lemira.
Mr. and Mrs. Buckingham have four chil- dren, as follows: Cora A., who was born April 28, 1853, and married Stephen Beach; Ida, born December 27, 1854, who married C. B. Marsh, and has one son, named Clifford H .; Urania, who was born February 27, 1861, married D. C. Peet, and has had one son, named Clarence, now no longer living; and Lotta, born April 26, 1864, who married Edgar Buckingham, and has three children - Grace, Ruth, and Florence. Mr. Bucking- ham is a Republican in politics, and both he and his wife are members of the Congrega- tional church.
ILLIS A. STRONG, who was for many years a well-known and suc- cessful merchant of Woodbury, Litchfield County, Conn., and was a member of the legislature for three terms, was born in this ancient town on February 22, 1827. He was a son of Anthony C. and Julia (Lambert)
WILLIS A. STRONG.
433
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Strong, and a lineal descendant of John Strong, who emigrated from England to America in 1638, and settled in Northampton, Mass., in 1661. The first ancestor of the family to settle in Woodbury was Adina Strong, who purchased land here in the year 1700, and whose posterity have since become prominent residents in the town. Mr. Strong's grandparents, Anthony and Phebe (Curtis) Strong, were old and highly esteemed residents of Woodbury. Their children were: Phebe, Anthony C., and Nathaniel. Grand- father Strong served as a private in the Revo- lutionary War.
Anthony C. Strong was born September 7, 1792. He was engaged for some years in the milling business with his father in Worthing- ton, but later settled at the homestead in Woodbury, where he was engaged in agricult-" ural labors for the rest of his life. His wife, Julia Lambert, became the mother of four children: Nathaniel L .; Henry P .; Willis A., the subject of this sketch; and Fred- crick T.
Willis A. Strong began his studies in the public schools of Woodbury, and completed his education at Yale College. When a young man, he established himself in mercan- tile business in what is known as the Hollow, where he conducted trade for six years. He then moved to North Woodbury, where he occupied the store which is now run by L. E. Dawson; and he carried on a very successful business until 1877. He then soll ont, and built the Strong Block, in which, with N. M. Strong, he fitted up a drug and hardware store, and did a large and profitable business until 1885, when he sold his interest to his partner, and retired from active pursuits. Aside from his high standing in the commu- nity as a successful business man, he was prominently identified with public affairs.
He supported the Republican party, was for several years member of the Board of Select- men, and was three times elected to the legis- lature. He was a generous, public-spirited man, always ready to assist in furthering any improvement in the town, and, being pos- sessed of sound judgment, was often called upon for advice in business and personal mat- ters. Hle was a member of King Solomon Lodge, No. 7, A. F. & A. M., and was one of the founders of the Ancient Order of United Workmen in Woodbury. Ile be- longed to the Congregational church. The last years of his retirement were passed at his comfortable home in Woodbury, his time being occupied in raising fancy breeds of poultry, in which he took considerable inter- est. He died September 11, 1894.
On October 11, 1882, Mr. Strong married Harriette C. Churchill, who was born in New Haven, May 18, 1843, daughter of the Rev. John and Caroline (Peck ) Churchill. Her father was a Congregational preacher in Woodbury for nearly thirty years. He was born in Litchfield, Conn., February 15, 1811. son of John Churchill, a shoemaker of that town, and was graduated from Vale College in 1839. Ilis first pastoral charge was in Watertown, Conn., where he remained but a short time, being called on April 22, 1849. to the pulpit of the church in Woodbury. He continued pastor of this church without inter- ruption until 1860, when he retired. His death took place in 1880. He and his wife. Caroline Peck, who was a daughter of Nathan Peck, reared two children, nanich : Mis. Strong: and her brother. Nathan P. Church ill. Mr. and Mrs. Willis A. Strong had three children, as follows: Caroline J., who was born January 10, 1885 : Willis \, who was born May 19. 188 ;; and a third, who died in infancy, unnamed. Mis. Harriette
!
434
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
C. Strong resides at her pleasant home on North Main Street, which was erected by her grandfather, Nathan Peck, and presented by him to her mother. She also owns some val- uable real estate near by. Mrs. Strong is a member of the Congregational church. She has endeared herself to her large circle of friends by her noble qualities of heart and mind, and she occupies a high position in the community.
A portrait of Mr. Willis A. Strong occu- pies the page opposite the beginning of the foregoing sketch.
AMES H. SMITH, a thriving and well-known farmer of the town of Litchfield, was born in the house which he now owns and occupies, July 11, 1819, son of Horace and Sally (Marsh) Smith. He is a direct descendant of Thomas Smith, who settled in East Haven, and in 1662 married Elizabeth Patterson. Most of Mr. Smith's ancestors of whom there is any record, previous to his grandfather, were sea- faring men; and several members of the fam- ily rendered distinguished services to this country during the Revolutionary War.
Mr. Smith's great-grandfather on the pater- nal side was Thomas Smith, who was born in East Haven, July 27, 1719, and whose four sons -- Thomas, Jacob, Enos, and Eli - were all patriot soldiers in the struggle for indepen- dence. Thomas, the third here named, was one of those who volunteered to explode a torpedo among the English fleet blockading New York Harbor. Being discovered by the enemy, they applied a quick fuse instead of a slow match; and in the explosion that fol- lowed he lost his life. Enos Smith, while serving with rank of Captain in the Conti- nental army, was made prisoner of war, and
suffered many hardships during his captivity. His daughter married Abiel Hart, and passed her life in Litchfield. Jacob Smith settled in Vermont, where he followed shoemaking in connection with farming. He was a Lieuten- ant in Colonel Ethan Allen's regiment of Green Mountain Boys, and assisted in the capture of Burgoyne's army.
Eli Smith, the grandfather of our subject, was born in East Haven, November 8, 1751. When a young man, he settled in Farming- ton, where he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. The shingles which still cover the roof of the meeting-house were placed there by him in 1774. He was an officer in the militia, and as such took part in the action with the British at Danbury, and also in defending the villages along the Hudson River, serving there six weeks with his com- pany at the time of Arnold's treason. His military rank was that of Ensign; but, as the captain of the company was a Tory and the lieutenant a coward, Governor Trumbull sent all orders concerning the company to Ensign Smith. He was officer of the day at the battle of Long Island, when General Sullivan was taken prisoner by the British. It was his duty to place the sentry, which he did. On making his rounds at the first watch, he found the man gone, and appointed another to the post. At the second watch this man also was found missing.
Filling the vacant post with a third sentry, Ensign Smith reported the circumstance to General Sullivan, who said: "There is some- thing wrong. I will go with you," and ac- companied him to the spot, when they found that the third sentry had disappeared. Day was beginning to dawn; and General Sulli- van, who was in the saddle, glanced through his spy-glass at the British camp, and ex- claimed, "They are all under march, and are
435
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
coming this way." He then wrote a note to General Washington, whose headquarters were then in Fulton Street, New York, and gave it to Ensign Smith, saying, "Go to the express boat, get across, take the first horse you find in New York, and get this to Gen- cral Washington as quickly as possible." Having executed the commission, he returned with Washington to the camp, the journey being made in all haste. One of the first objects that met their view was General Sul- livan's horse, which trotted into their midst, riderless. "That is General Sullivan's horse," said Ensign Smith to Washington. " It is the fortune of war," remarked Washing- ton, thinking that Sullivan had been killed. The story of the battle is too well known to need recapitulation. During the masterly retreat that followed, Ensign Smith and an- other Litchfield man, Benjamin Taylor, were among the last to leave the island. He after- wards used to relate that, as their boat cleared the shore, the feet of the British were dis- tinctly visible at the water's edge, so near that he could have tossed a biscuit among them, while their bodies were hid by the dense fog. This was his last military experi- ence, as he was soon after taken very sick from vold and exposure, and incapacitated for duty.
After the close of the war Ensign Smith settled in Litchfield, where he followed his trade, later removed to Milton, and ran a forge for some time, but subsequently re- turned to Litchfield. He was an extensive land-holder in this town, and was prominent in public affairs, serving as Selectman and in other offices. His wife was Deborah Phelps, a daughter of Edward, Jr., and Hannah ( Marsh ) Phelps. Her grandfather, Edward Phelps, Sr., was one of the earliest settlers of Litch- feld, aml was in all probability the first suf-
veyor in the town. From this family have come men eminent in law and letters and in the diplomatic service of the country. En- sign Eli Smith died in 1824, at the age of seventy-two years. He and his wife reared eleven children, ten of whom reached matu- rity. Their names were as follows: Larinda, born in 1779; Thomas Eli, Jr .: Sally : David, who died in infancy: Horace; Eunice: Phelps: Frederick R .; George W. ; and Cla- rissa, who was born in 1800.
Horace Smith, Mr. Smith's father, was born in Litchfield, July 13, 1789. Ile learned the trade of carpenter, which he fol- lowed in connection with farming, and was a well-known mechanic, being the first to intro- duce modern window-frames in his locality. and to change from the scribe to the square rule in carpentry. He followed agriculture with success upon the farm where his son James H1. now lives. Ile died in Litchfick] at the age of eighty-four. His wife, Sally Marsh, was a daughter of Ebenezer, Jr., and Elizabeth (Osborne) Marsh. Her ancestors were the first settlers in Litchfield. Ebenezer Marsh, Jr., and his wife had five children: Sally, mother of the subject of this sketch; Henry: Samuel; Lucy P. : and Eliza. Mr. and Mrs. Horace Smith became the parents of seven children, namely: Thomas, born Jul 1, 1810, died in Saginaw, Mich., October 5. 18.46, leaving one daughter: he was one of the first settlers in Saginaw: Finite Eli . beth, born September o. 1813, died November 1. 1835: Russell, born September S. 1810, died from the effects of a fall, July 30, 18 44: he was twice married, and had a son by his first wife and a daughter by his second; James 11. : Charles 11., born on the same day as General Grant, April 27, 1822, died March 3. 1831; Caroline, born October 17. 1828. died October 25, 1813: Maria Louisa, die in
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.