USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Litchfield County, Connecticut > Part 47
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infancy in 1832. James H. therefore has for forty-nine years bcen the only survivor of his father's family. Mrs. Sally M. Smith died at the age of seventy. She was a member of the Congregational church.
James H. Smith passed his boyhood and youth in assisting his father on the farm; and in early manhood he learned the earpenter's trade, serving his apprenticeship with his father and Captain David Winship, and be- came a sueecssful contractor and builder. He carcd for his parents during their deelining years, and, succeeding to the possession of the homestcad after his father's death, eondueted agriculture in connection with his trade. His farm, which originally consisted of one hundred and sixty-five acres, was devoted principally to dairying, in which he made a specialty of produeing butter; and he also sent milk to New York for nearly twenty years. He recently sold a large portion of the property, and is now living in retirement. Mr. Smith cast his first Presidential vote for Gencral William Harrison, and of late he has supported the Prohibition movement. He was formerly a member of the Sons of Temperance.
On November 12, 1843, Mr. Smith married Sarah A. Munger, daughter of Samuel Mun- ger, an old resident of Litchfield. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had eight children, seven of whom are living, namely: Caroline E., who, married William S. Ward, of Plantsville; Charles, who married Mary E. Thrall; Ed- ward L., of Warehouse Point, who married Sarah R. D. Palmer; Hattie C., who married Samuel E. Tanner, and is no longer living; Sarah L., who married Albert S. Jones, re- sides in Torrington, and has a son, Horaec S., and a daughter, Bertha A .; Jennie G., widow of Abdallah T. Palmer; Mary B., who married William W. Welton, of Bridgewater ;
and Flora Eunice, wife of Herbert R. Leach, formerly of Newark, N.J., who is now con- dueting the home farm, they having one son, Jamcs H. Leach. Mrs. Smith died July 3, 1891. She was a member of the Congrega- tional church. Mrs. Ward has had five chil- dren, thrce of whom are now living, namely : Emma, who married Albert Botsford, and has one child, named May Alphret; William S .; and Ira A. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Smith have had one child, now no longer living. Mrs. Tanner left two children: Roy S. and Herbert. Mrs. Palmer has four children; namely, Arthur S., Clara, Ray, and Olive Ruth. Mrs. Welton has one ehild, named Kathleen L.
Mr. Smith united with the Congregational church in Litchfield in 1843, and has since continucd to be an active member. He is a. highly respected citizen, eherishing the mem- ory of his Revolutionary ancestors, and well maintaining the family reputation for patriot- ism. He has in his possession an interesting family heirloom, a bed-spread which was made by his great-grandmother in 1763.
USTIN R. HUMPHREY, a prosper- ous farmer and public-spirited citizen of Warren, Conn., a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Crawfordsville, Ind., August 11, 1841, son of Hosea D. and Caro- line (Starr) Humphrey. Mr. Humphrey's grandparents were Lorin H. and Rhoda (Case) Humphrey, the former of whom was a suceess- ful farmer of Canton, Hartford County, Conn., and a lifelong resident of that town. His children were Harmon, Austin, Euniee, Florinda, Hosea D., Eleanor, Warren, and Susan.
Hosea D. Humphrey was born in Canton. His life was devoted to education, his early
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years being spent in mental discipline and the acquisition of knowledge, his later in the office of instruction and guidance. After graduating from Amherst College, he applied himself for a time to the study of law, and then became a professor at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Ind., where he was engaged until his death, which took place when he was forty-two years old. His wife, Caroline Starr, was a daughter of George and Lorain (Carter) Starr. Her father was a well-to-do farmer and a prominent resident of Warren, well known as Squire Starr, being a highly respected citizen, who filled various offices of public trust. Both parents are now deceased. Their children were: Caroline, Mrs. HI. D. Humphrey ; Evylyn; Frank; and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Hosea D. Humphrey reared six chil- dren, as follows: Henry, who married Lizzie Pierce, and has had one son, named William : George S., who married Laura Gilbert, and has three children, named Frank, Burton, and Alice; Frank, who was killed in the army during the Civil War; Austin R., the subject of this sketch; Flora, who died, aged nine- teen ; and losea D., Jr.
Austin R. Humphrey passed his boyhood and youth in Canton, Conn., after his father's death, and received his education in the com- mon schools. At the commencement of the Civil War he enlisted as a private in Com- piny HI, Second Regiment of Artillery, Con- nectient Volunteers. He served three years, during which time he was with the Army of the Potomac and through the Shenandoah Gummpaign, and took part in many important engagements. After his discharge be re- turned to Warren, and settled upon his pres- ent farm, which he has since conducted with ibility and success.
In politics a Republican, he has rendered valuable service to the town as Assessor, Col-
lector, a member of the Board of Relief, and. as a Representative to the legislature in 1876. performed the duties of his position with credit both to himself and his constituents. He is a charter member of Wichita Grange, No. 132, of which he has been Master since its organization ; and he is a comrade of Post Upton, No. 14, Grand Army of the Republic.
Mr. Humphrey and Frances Curtis, daugh- ter of Erastus Curtis, of Warren, were united in marriage in 1866, and have four children, namely : Frank 11., who married Ida Brad- ford; Charles W .: Fanny; and Ralph. Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey attend the Congrega- tional church.
USTIN H. GILLETT, who has been Town Clerk of Bridgewater, Conn .. for more than thirty years, was born in the neighboring town of Washington, in this county, March 30, 1834. His parents were David L. and Catherine ( Ludington ) Gillett, his father being a grandson of David Gillett, who was an early settler in the town of Roxbury, which joins both Bridgewater and Washington, and was a prominent man in the town, a Deacon of the Congregational church. Deacon Gillett married Freelove Maxim: and their children were: Daniel. David, Electa, Eunice, and Lois.
Mr. Gillett's grandfather, David Gillett. followed the trade of a blacksmith during his carly manhood. He moved from Roxbury to Sharon, where he resided for a time, but later returned to Roxbury, and engaged in agre- cultural pursuits. During his litetime he bought and sold several firms. He was drafted to serve in the War of 1812, but was not called into service. In politics he was a Democrat, but later became one of the first Abolitionists in this region, and held minor town offices; and in religion he was a Congres
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gationalist. He lived to reach the age of eighty-nine, and died in 1873. His wife, Sarah Warner Gillett, died in 1859. They reared the following children : Harvey, David L., Thomas W., and Daniel M.
David L. Gillett was born in Roxbury in 1808. He learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for a time; but, not liking that occupation, he moved to Washington, where he engaged in teaming, becoming known as a man of energy and reliability. He was accidentally killed at the age of thirty-one years. His wife, Catherine Lud- ington, whom he married in 1829, was born in 1806, daughter of Jairus Ludington, and died in 1876. She was the mother of one son, Austin H., the subject of this sketch.
Austin H. Gillett was educated in the schools of his native town; and, when a young man, he learned the hatter's trade. He fol- lowed that occupation for twenty-eight years ; and at the end of that time he entered mer- cantile business in Bridgewater, in company with E. L. Peck -a partnership which con- tinued for four years. He then sold his inter- est, and eight years later he purchased a store in company with H. D. Gillett; but, after conducting a successful trade for five years, he again sold out, and retired from business. He bought the William Burnham homestead, which he remodelled and otherwise improved into a most pleasant and comfortable resi- dence. In politics he has always actively supported the Democratic party. He was first elected to the position of Town Clerk in 1862, an office which he has since continued to hold with the exception of three years; and he has acted as Justice of the Peace for fifteen years.
On November 1, 1859, Mr. Gillett was united in marriage with Emily A. Weller, daughter of Elisha A. and Maria (Peck) Wel-
ler. Mr. and Mrs. Gillett have four children, a brief record of whom is as follows: Andrew W., the eldest, who was born January 2, 1861, and who studied law, and was graduated from the university in Denver, married Ger- trude Raymond, of Denver, Col., and is now residing in that city, where he was at one time court stenographer; Frank A., born February 19, 1865, who is now a machinist in Philadelphia; Fred C., born February 14, 1867, who is now a well-known pianoforte tuner in Boston; and Harry A., born Febru- ary 14, 1872, who is now a clerk for Mallett & Hatch.
Mr. Gillett is a member of St. Peter's Lodge, No. 21, A. F. & A. M. He has led a busy and useful life, rendering much val- uable service to the town, and now has the satisfaction of seeing his sons all well ad- vanced upon the road to success.
ENRY H. DICKINSON, an exten- sive farmer and tobacco grower of Roxbury, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, March 14, 1841, son of Samuel and Mary (Lee) Dickinson. Mr. Dickinson's grandfather, Philip Dickinson, was a prosper- . ous farmer and a large land-owner of Cleve- land previous to its expansion into a city. He raised a large family of children, among whom were Elisha, William, Edward, Sam- uel, Philip, Delancy, and Phebe.
Samuel Dickinson, Mr. Dickinson's father, was born in Cleveland in 1815. He came East in 1845; and, settling in Kent, this county, he engaged in burning charcoal. In 1856 he bought a tract of land, containing two hundred and fifty acres, situated in Falls Village; and, as the property was well wooded, he continued the production of char- coal in large quantities for the rest of his
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life, and died in 1887, aged seventy-two years. His prosperity was the reward of a life of industry. His wife, Mary (Lee) Dick- inson, whom he married in Connecticut, be- came the mother of nine children, namely: a son, who died in infancy; Eliza, who died young; Eliza Ann; Henry H., the subject of this sketch; Edward; Elmer; Mary; Walter and Wallace, the two last-named being twins. The mother, who is still living, has reached the age of seventy years.
Henry H. Dickinson attended the schools of Kent. After completing his studies, he assisted his father until reaching the age of twenty-one. He then engaged in the produc- tion of charcoal upon his own account, and carried it on successfully until 1885. In this year he bought the Zachariah Warner farm of one hundred and sixty acres, situated in the town of Roxbury, where he has since resided. He has remodelled his residence, increased his barn and storage capacity, and now owns the finest set of farm buildings in the town. He has also improved his land, bringing it to a high state of cultivation, and has raised a crop of seven acres of superior tobacco in one season. Ile devotes considerable atten- tion to dairying, keeping from twenty to twenty-five cows; and he has an apple orchard, planted with a large number of grafted trees. le conducts his farm with the progressive spirit which yields the best results, availing himself of all the modern facilities for executing agricultural work.
On February 21, 1862, Mr. Dickinson was united in marriage to Phebe Newton, dangh- ter of James and One (Calkins) Newton. Her father, who was a prosperous farmer of Cornwall, Conn., died in 1887, aged seventy- six years. He was a prominent and useful citizen, supported Democratic principles in politics, and filled various town offices with
ability. His wife, who still survives him at the age of seventy-five, and resides in Bran- ford, has been the mother of twelve children, ten of whom grew to maturity. They were: Henry, William, George, Edward. Phebe. Nancy, Frederick, Mary, John, and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson have had eight chil- dren, as follows : Lec S., a successful farmer, who was born January 14, 1863, married Liz- zie Warner, and has five children, namely - Evadna, John, Bessie, William, and Flora; Mary Isabelle, born March 14, 1865. who died March 22, 1886; Frank J., born March 7, 1867, who married Minnie Root, and has one daughter, named Phebe: Alice, born July 11, 1871, who is now the wife of Frank Pierce, a prosperous farmer; Robert II., born April 21, 1873, who is now engaged in agri- cultural pursuits; Daisy M., born August 4. 1875, who is now a teacher: Albert C .. born May 8, 1879, who resides at home ; and Grace E., who was born June 5. 1883. Mr. Dickin- son is a Democrat in politics, and, though he does not seek political notoriety, has ably filled some of the important town offices. Ile is a member of Rising Sun Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and attends the Episcopal church.
G EORGE B. LEWIS, whose portrait is here seen, is the special subject of the following brief memoir. Well known in his day and generation as an enter prising and influential citizen of Litchfield County, one who took a leading part in useful activities, he has claims to honored remem brance. His death, which occurred on Octo ber to, 1880. left a marked vacancy in the business circles of Woodbury.
George B. Lewis was born in Roxbury. Comm., in December, 1820, and was a son of Abijah and Sally (Fairchild) Lewis. He
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assisted his father on the home farm until. he was sixteen years of age, when he started to learn the tinsmith's trade in the shop of Tut- tle Dayton, of Woodbury. Six years later he bought out Mr. Dayton, and, locating in the Hollow, established a thriving business, carry- ing in stock both tinware and hardware. Therc he remained twenty-six years, success attending all his efforts. He then built the handsome business block on Main Street, now owned by Mrs. Lewis, fitting it for stores and offices. He also started a savings-bank asso- ciation, of which he was President; and this was a great success, meeting a long-felt want in the town. Essentially a self-made man, Mr. Lewis eventually became one of the wealthiest residents of the county; and his strict honesty in business matters made him universally csteemed. A Republican in poli- tics, hc represented the town in the legisla- ture, and held many local offices of trust. He was married on May 19, 1846, to Char- lotte L. Hurd, who survives him.
Mrs. Lewis was born in Roxbury, Conn., April 2, 1822, and is the daughter of Judson and Charlotte (Leavenworth) Hurd. Her father, who was born in Roxbury, January 27, 1776, was extensively engaged in farming, and was one of the most public-spirited men in the town. Casting his first vote with the Whigs, he was afterwards affiliated with the Democrats, and was a Deputy Sheriff for Litchfield County, and held various impor- tant town offices. Judson Hurd died July 22, 1862. His wife, who was a daughter of Gidcon and Lois (Hunt) Leavenworth, of Roxbury, was born November 12, 1778, and died April 14, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Hurd were members of the Congregational church. They reared the following children: Cyrus G., born April 23, 1797; Nelson, born Janu- ary 14, 1799; Maria, born January 25, 1801 ;
Almira, born October 4, 1803; Sophia, born April 20, 1806; Caroline, born September 24, 1808; Frederick W., born January 2, 1812; Catherine, born July 29, 1814; James M., born October 19, 1817; and Charlotte L.
Mrs. Lewis is a lady of refinement and cult- ure, eminently fitted to grace the beautiful home so long occupied by herself and her hus- band. This dwelling, which was formerly the Merriam House, adjoins the bank on Main Street, and is one of the handsomest resi- dences in the locality. Mrs. Lewis has no children. She is an esteemed member of the Congregational church of Woodbury.
UBERT G. GAYLORD, a prosper- ous farmer of Torrington, son of Giles Loomis and Sarah Blake Gaylord, was born upon the farm which he now owns and occupies, on September 28, 1852. The Gaylords had their first home in Chatian Gaillard in Normandy, France. Their first migration was to Glastonbury, England, .whence they came to the United States. Thc records of Windsor, Conn., show the name of William Gaylord as one of the earliest set- tlers of that ancient town. From there came one of his descendants, Nehemiah Gaylord, to settle upon the Torringford hills. He was Deacon of the first church, and took an active part in affairs of church and State. He be- camc a large land-holder, and was the original possessor of the Gaylord farm.
Deacon Gaylord erected the present Gay- lord residence for his son Joseph, who mar- ried Ruth Bissell, and was the father of two children: Elijah and Ruth. Elijah Gaylord married first Esther Loomis. Their children were: Fannie, who married Roderic Bissell; Esther, who married John North; and Giles L. Elijah married for his second wife Betsy
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Comstock, by whom he had two children : Ann, who married Porter Gibbs; and Mary Louisa, who died in infancy.
Giles Loomis Gaylord was reared to an agricultural life, and lived eighty-five years in the old homestead. He was an active member of the Congregational church, and prominent in anti-slavery and temperance re- forms. He was twice married. Pamelia Preston, his first wife, left two children : Caroline A., who married Carlos A. Phillips, a merchant in Iowa, and died in California in 1887; and Esther Maria, who died in infancy. Mr. Giles L. Gaylord's second wife was Sarah Blake, daughter of Harry Blake, of Winchester. Their children are Hubert G. and his sister, Mary Loomis, who was edu- cated at lowa College and at a normal training school in Boston, and is now a kindergartner in that city.
Hubert G. gained his education in the com- mon and high schools of Torrington, and, when a young man, went to lowa, where he was some time employed in a store. Return- ing to Torrington, he assisted in managing the farm; and, after the death of his father, he succeeded to the ownership of the property. This is one of the oldest estates in Torring- ton, and has always been kept up to a high; state of cultivation. In 1879 Mr. Gaylord was united in marriage to Belle Waterman, daughter of 1. P. Waterman, of Torrington. Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord have two children : William Waterman and Bessie Blake. Mr. Gaylord is a Republican in politics.
ILLIAM A. SULLIVAN, a pros- perous farmer and native resident of New Milford, Litchfield County, Conn., son of Henry and Maria ( Smith ) Sulli- van, was born on July 3, 1820. Mr. Sul-
livan's father was a hatter by trade, and was an expert workman upon silk hats. He fol- lowed that occupation until his death, which occurred at the age of forty-nine years, and was caused by consumption. His wife, Maria Smith Sullivan, who lived to the age of eighty years, was the mother of ten children, as fol- lows: William A., the subject of this sketch ; Betsey, who was born March 26, 1822; John WV., born June 24, 1824; Elmira J., born July 21, 1826; Mary, born in September, 1828; Charles E., born in 1830; Angelina E .. born May 24, 1833; Olive, born August 7. 1835: Harriet, born March 2, 1838; and Sarah, born July 2, 1840.
William was the eldest of this large family. llis carly opportunities for schooling must have been limited, as, when only eleven years old, he went to work for Nathan Peet. with whom he remained until reaching the age of seventeen. Ile then learned the mason's trade, an occupation which he followed suc- cessfully for some years, being a contractor. He finally purchased the old Buckley farm of fourteen acres, upon which he now resides : and he later added a tract of ninety acres. Hle enlarged his residence, built a new baru. set ont a large number of fruit trees, all of which has greatly improved the appearance of his place and enhanced its value: and he now possesses one of the finest and best-managed farmis in this vicinity. He takes a great in- terest in his stock, and owns some choice cattle and sheep. He is a Democrat in poli ties, and has served as Assessor and member of the School Board.
On December 25. 1846, Mr. Sullivan niar- ried Ann Hallock, daughter of Adolphus and Laura ( Morgan) Hallock and a descendant of Benjamin and Thebe ( Brindle) Hallock, who were the first of the family to settle in New Milford. Her great-grandparents, William
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and Lucy (Church) Hallock, and her grand- parents, Benjamin and Clarissa (Pease) Hal- lock, who were prosperous farming people and lifelong residents of this town, were all active members of the Congregational church. Mrs. Sullivan's father, Adolphus Hallock, lived to reach the age of eighty-eight years. His children were: Ann, Mrs. Sullivan; and James M. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan have had nine children: the eldest, Henry, born No- vember 7, 1847, died in 1851; Charles, born February 26, 1849, married Anna Northrop, and has four children, namely - Margaret, Ada, Howard, and Lottie; Helen, born Janu- ary II, 1852, married Gorge Marsh, and has one child, named Mabel; Henry, born Decem- ber 27, 1855, died in 1865; William, born October 14, 1856, married Mary Hoyt; Ella, born October 27, 1857, married Frederick Richmond, and has two children - Millie and Leona; Minnie, born August 25, 1859, widow of Orrin Plumb; James, born October 15, 1862, married Katie Fenn, and has four chil- dren - Susie, George, Ruth, and Minnie; and George, born June 8, 1867, married Lulu Cap- well, and has two children - William and Ethel. Mr. Sullivan is a progressive and en- ergetic farmer, who by the exercise of sound judgment and by practical painstaking has made his agricultural operations a pronounced success. Both he and his wife are communi- cants of the Episcopal church.
APTAIN EDGAR B. VAN WIN- KLE, civil engineer, now living practically retired from business activities, spends his winters in New York City, but during the warmer seasons of the year occupies his beautiful residence in the town of Litchfield, where he is highly es- teemed, his enterprise, public spirit, and
generous interest in local improvements being thoroughly appreciated by his fellow-towns- men. Captain Van Winkle was born, March 4, 1842, in the city of New York, and is of ancient Colonial stock, the emigrant progen- itor of the family, Jacob W. Van Winckle, having come from Holland, and settled in Bergen, N.J., in 1636 (American Ancestry, Vol. IV.).
Peter Van Winkle, of the prominent New York mercantile firm of a former day, Van Winkle & Antwerp, was the father of Edgar S. Van Winkle and grandfather of the subject of this biography. His wife was a daughter of General Abraham Godwin, of Revolution- ary fame.
Edgar S. Van Winkle was born in New York, August 3, 1810. At the age of four- teen he decided upon the profession of law; but, not having had a college education, the term of his preparatory study was seven years. He became a model lawyer, because he pos- sessed qualities which are the foundation of legal equipment ; but he would have as readily won laurel in other fields. His professional standing was of the highest. His leading clients were executors, guardians, and trus- tees, banks, trust companies, and large com- mercial houses, one bank retaining him as counsel for half a century. At one time he was associated as a partner with the illustrious Daniel Webster.
Mr. Van Winkle inherited a large share of the literary vein of the family, winning in his youth a reputation as a writer of verse. He was a contributor to the old New York Mirror; and with his genial friend, Daniel Seymour, he issued a paper called the Aspirant, which was continued for some years. This paper is described by Parke Godwin as overflowing with merriment, racy humor, caustic criticisms, and rollicking fun, all aimed at the flying
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follies of the times. A book containing a selection of his poetical writings, including "An Indian Drama," was prepared for his family in 1876, it being privately printed, not published. Mr. Van Winkle was one of the founders and the first Vice-President of the Bar Association of the city of New York, and for some thirty years one of the managers of the House of Refuge for Juvenile Delinquents. In 1846 he was one of the founders of the Century Club, where he was greatly cherished for his efficient aid in the social and literary entertainments for which it has always been distinguished. He was also deeply interested in the patriotic aims and actions of the Union League Club during the war.
The Hon. Benjamin D. Silliman says of Mr. Winkle: "As a companion, he was, in- deed, delightful; and, as a friend, no man was ever more faithful and affectionate. Intrinsic excellence marked every phase of his char- acter. He was not a man of professions, a surface man; but sincerity and truth were the law of his nature. His warm and honest heart knew no guile. He was genial, refined, and cordial, abounded in wit and humor and good fellowship, while his stores of knowledge were so rich and so varied that his conversa- tion was always attractive and instructive." Mr. Van Winkle wrote to a friend a few years prior to his death,
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