USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Litchfield County, Connecticut > Part 55
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the mother of five children, of whom she reared three. Two of these are still living : Harvey, the subject of this sketch ; and Seth, at present of Bristol, in whose home the mother now resides, she having previously made her home with her son Harvey. Edward Barnes was a class leader of the Methodist church for many years. He was a man of sound Christian character, -being noted for his pleas- ant disposition and equable temper, which he was seldom or never known to lose. His wife was and is a member of the same church, and is a woman who has faithfully fulfilled life's duties.
Harvey Barnes remained at home until the age of sixteen, at which time he began to learn the sash and blind business. In 1854 he entered the clock shop; but after his father's death, which occurred November 24 of that year, he went to work for the estate of Edward Wooden in the lock-shop. The following spring he found work as a carpenter, and re- mained so engaged for eight years. On the organization of the Union Hardware Company he took a contract to make skate woods, finding employment in this line tor about ten years. and then becoming foreman of the wood-room, a position which he held for nineteen years. or until 1803, at which time he retired from active work, having been in the service of the above named company for about thirty years . strong proof of his fidelity and efficiency. Dming the time he remained with the com- pany he saw the original force of fifteen men increase to two hundred and fitty.
Mr. Barnes was married February 18, 1875. to Imogene I. Catlin, a daughter of Samuel Catlin, of Harwinton Mi. Catlin was a very prominent man in his town, holding at differ ent times most of the local offices and also serving as a member of the legislaune He died when his daughter Imogene was but seven
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years old. His wife, Mary E. Frost, was a native of Torrington, where members of her family were among the earliest settlers. Mrs. Barnes has been the mother of two children, one of whom survives - Clara E., born July 2, 1876, a young lady of good intellectual ability, a graduate of the Torrington High School, and now about to enter Mount Holyoke College. She and her mother are members of the Third Congregational Church, which her father attends and to the support of which he contributes.
Mr. Barnes is a Democrat in politics, is a member of Seneca Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Darius Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Litch- field, and Buell Council, and was largely in- strumental in obtaining a charter for Cyrus Chapter, of which body he was a charter mem- ber, and served as First High Priest. The family stands high socially in the town, and may be justly regarded as representative of the best elements of citizenship.
IMOTHY C. BACON, a retired farmer, who is passing his declining years at his pleasant home in North Woodbury, where he has long been a highly respected and influential citizen, was born in the eastern part of the town of Woodbury, March 25, 1823. Mr. Bacon's grandfather, Josiah Bacon, a native of Middletown, Conn., when a young man engaged in business as a clothier. He also carried the mail from Litchfield to New Haven, making the journey on horseback. He was a well-known man in his day, a Democrat in politics. He lived to the age of eighty-two years ; and his wife, whose maiden name was Abigail Hall, reached the age of eighty-one. They reared seven children - William, David C., Ward, Timothy P., Lucy, Dolly, and Abby.
David C. Bacon, Mr. Bacon's father, was born in Woodbury, and passed his boyhood and youth on his father's farm. At the age of twenty-one he started out as a pedler of dry goods and notions, a business which he fol- lowed for five years. He then bought a farm situated in the eastern part of the town of Woodbury, upon which he settled, and engaged in agricultural pursuits .. In 1873 he sold his farm, and moved to the village, where he owned a house and some land, and resided there until his death, which took place when he was eighty-four years old. He was an able and far-sighted business man, possessing good judgment as to the relative value of property ; and he owned several good farms, aggregating three hundred acres in all. He supported the Republican party in politics, served with abil- ity for some years as a Selectman and in other town offices; and he represented his town in the legislature. His first wife, Sarah Wheeler, who was the mother of five children - Harriet, Simneon, Timothy C., Adeline, and David C., Jr. - died at the age of forty- eight years. By his union with his second wife, Susan Jackson, there are no children. Mr. Bacon's parents were members of the Con- gregational church.
Timothy C. Bacon in his boyhood attended the schools of his native town, and was brought up by his parents to be a farmer. When a young man, he conducted the home farm in company with his brothers for three years, and then bought a farm which he carried on upon his own account. In addition to his agricult- ural labors he made a specialty for some time of dealing in real estate, buying and selling various farms until 1875, when he purchased a house with a small farm adjoining in the vil- lage of North Woodbury, where he has since resided, and is now enjoying a well-earned retirement. He has always actively supported
TIMOTHY C. BACON.
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the Republican party, having long been iden- tified with public affairs; and he has rendered valuable services to the town as a member of the Board of Selectmen and as Superintendent of Roads, in which his efforts were greatly appreciated by the community. In 1862 he was elected to the legislature, and ably repre- sented the town in that body.
On November 5, 1845, Mr. Bacon married Catherine Camp, his first wife, who was a daughter of Calvin and Salome (Stone) Camp. She died September 15, 1887, aged sixty-two years; and he wedded for his second wife Mrs. Mary Strong, widow of Nathaniel Strong, and daughter of Alfred and Betsey (Hungerford) Bryan, the former of whom was a prosperous farmer of Watertown.
Mr. Bacon has led a busy and successful life, his career having been marked by an industrious application of his ability and re- sources both as a public official and as a busi- ness man. He has an honorable record, and enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fellow- townsmen. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon are members of the Congregational church.
See portrait on preceding page.
ALLACE CASE, a prominent resi- dent and first Selectman of Bark- hamsted, was born in Canton, Conn., February 19. 184444, son of Osman and Aun (Tiffany) Case. Mr. Case's grandfather, Freeman Case, was a native of Granby, Hart - ford County. Conn., and passed his earlier years in that town. He later owned a good farm in Canton, where he resided for the re- mainder of his life, and died at the age of seventy five.
Osman Case, Mr. Case's father, was born in Chanby, and was reared to an agricultural life. He resided at home until he reached the age of
thirty, when he bought a farm in West Hart- land. This he conducted successfully for twenty years, and then moved to Barkhamsted, where he resided until his death, which oc- curred when he was seventy-three years old. He was a prominent man in the community, entertaining pronounced and decided views upon the important issues of the day; and he cast the first Republican vote in Hartland. being at the time the only supporter of that party in the town. He was School Visitor in Hartland for some years, and was an active member and a Deacon of the Congregational church in Barkhamsted. His wife was a daughter of Joel Tiffany, a representative of one of the oldest families of Barkhamsted. She reared nine children, as follows : Wallace, the subject of this sketch : Joel, an inventor, who resides in Bristol, Conn. ; Nelson, now deceased; Anna, who married Monroe Hart ; Emma, who married Burton Tiffany ; George. also deceased; Frances, who married Brownell C. Gidman; Julia, who married George Oriatt, of Bristol; and Alice. The mother died at the age of seventy three.
Wallace Case passed his youth in Hartland, and received his education in the common schools of that town. At the age of twenty two, in company with his father, he purchased the lige saw mill in Bankhamsted, which he still operates. Twenty years later he engaged in farming upon his present property, compris ing over two hundred acres. In this, as well as in the other enterprise, he has been very successtul. He is an energetic and thoroughly able business man. In politics he is a ke publican, and has been long identified with public affairs. He has served as a member of the Board of Selectmen for several years, and has been first Selection for the past two vents In this latter office one of his duties is to ane for the public roads, and they are kept in the
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best of condition. He was elected to the Con- necticut House of Representatives in 1887, and rendered able service to his town and State in that capacity. He is a member of the Grange, of which he has been Master and Overseer ; and he is at the present time acting as its Chaplain.
In 1869 Mr. Case was united in marriage to Sarah Talmadge, born in Barkhamsted, daugh- ter of Eliott Talmadge, a prosperous farmer of that town, who died at the age of eighty-five years. Mr. Talmadge raised a family of four children, three of whom are living; namely, Hiram, Adeline, and Sarah. His wife, who still survives, resides with Mr. Case, and is bright and active at the age of eighty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Case have one son, named George, who is a machinist, and resides with his uncle Joel in Bristol. Mr. and Mrs. Case and their son are members of the Congre- gational church. Mr. Case has been superin- tendent of the Sunday-school, and his wife has been a teacher therein for many years.
LMON E. FULLER, a furniture dealer and undertaker of Litchfield, was born in New Milford, Conn., March 3, 1843, son of Jonathan E. and Julia A. (Beach)
Fuller. Mr. Fuller's grandfather, Joseph Fuller, was a native of New Milford, and followed the trade of a shoemaker in that vicinity. He was over eighty years of age when he died.
Jonathan E. Fuller, Mr. Fuller's father, was born in New Milford, and received his education in the schools of that town. He acquired the trade of a blacksmith; and, after carrying on the business in New Milford for a time, he moved to Litchfield, where he en- gaged in the manufacture of wagons and car- riages, an industry which he successfully con-
tinued for the remainder of his life. He died in 1875, aged seventy-one years. His wife, who was a native of New Milford, was twice married ; and by her first husband, whose name was William L. Gillette, she had one son, Henry S., who died July 17, 1895, aged seventy-two years. By her union with Jona- than E. Fuller she had four children, three of whom are still living, namely : Azariel C., a resident of Danbury, Conn. ; Granville B., who resides in Colorado; and Almon E., the subject of this sketch. The mother died in Litchfield, August 13, 1889, aged eighty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan E. Fuller were attendants of the Congregational church.
Almon E. Fuller accompanied his parents to Litchfield at an early age. He was edu- cated in the public schools and at a private school in Litchfield. After completing his studies, he became connected with his father in business, and was later admitted as a partner, the firm name being then made J. E. Fuller & Son. They had a large and profitable business in building carriages and wagons, which were shipped to various cities. In 1872 they sold the business, and Mr. Fuller established him- self as a furniture dealer on South Main Street. Three years later he purchased the stock and trade of his only opponent in that line, D. C. Buckley, the oldest dealer in town, and, in company with George H. Trow- bridge, established the firm of Fuller & Trow- bridge. Business was carried on under this name until May, 1891, when Mr. Fuller bought his partner's interest, and thereafter continued the business alone. The store is spacious, and centrally located in the Granniss and Elmore Block. It has an extensive and varied stock of goods, and, as it is the only furniture store in the town, it receives a lib- eral patronage. Mr. Fuller also deals in up- holstery goods; and is besides an undertaker.
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He is a Republican in politics, and has served as clerk of the Board of Burgesses for some years. He is President of the Village Im- provement Society, a member of the village police force, and has been a member of the fire company since its organization. Ile is a Director of the Savings Bank, and is actively interested in all matters relative to the welfare of the town.
In 1871 Mr. Fuller was united in marriage to Louise E. Buel. She was born in Litch- field, daughter of Charles S. and Elizabeth (Barber) Bucl, the former of whom was a pros- perons farmer and lifelong resident of that town. His wife, who was also born in Litch- field, became the mother of two children, namely : Elizabeth, who married Levi Curtis, a carpenter, of Ilarwinton; and Louise E. Mrs. Fuller's mother died in Harwinton. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller have two children; namely, Almon B. and Frederick II. The family attend the Congregational church, and Mr. Fuller is clerk of that society.
ILLIAM F. TROWBRIDGE, a prominent member of the farming community of Roxbury, who has taken many first premiums for fine cattle at public fairs, was born in the house which is now his home, March 22, 18448, son of Charles Strong and Elizabeth G. (Clark) Trowbridge. He comes of a family known and respected in England as far back as the year 1135. (See History of Ancient Woodbury, Conn. ) His first ancestor in this country, Thomas Trow. bridge, left Taunton, Somersetshire, England, in 1636, and settled in Dorchester, Mass. He subsequently moved to New Haven, Conn., where he was in business as a merchant, and became a Luge land owner.
John Trowbridge, the grandfather of Will-
iam F., was born in Bedford, N. Y., in 1752. He was living in Woodbury, Conn., in 1778; and in 1793 he removed to Roxbury, settling near his grandson's present home. A success- ful farmer and cattle dealer, he occupied a prominent position in the town. He died May 5, 1826. His first wife was Esther, daughter of Preserved Strong, of Woodbury. She died in 1807, at the age of forty five, leav- ing eight children - James, Edmund, Fanny. John, Anna, Mary, Charles S. (father of the subject of this sketch), and Caroline. John Trowbridge's second wife was Elizabeth Logan.
Charles S. Trowbridge was born November 19, 1798, in Woodbury, Litchfield County. lle began to work in a mill when fourteen years of age, and for thirty years thereafter was connected with mill work. At the end of that time he purchased the farm now occupied by his son. It was then known as the Weller farm, having been built by Samuel Weller in 1790. Mr. Trowbridge gradually added to his land till he owned two hundred acres. Much of this he devoted to general farming. The rest was used for grazing cattle, the raising and fattening of which he made a specialty. lle made many changes for the better on the homestead, enlarging and remodelling the buillings. Ile was regarded as one of the most enterprising and successful men in that part of the county. In politics he was a Hem ocrat, and was elected by his party to the State legislature. He served the town as Se lectman and in other capacities. He died in 1885, at the age of eighty six. His wife, who was blessed with a strong constitution and was it tireless and thrifty helpmeet, is vet living. making her home with her son, the subject of this sketch. Ten children were born to Mi and Mrs. Trowbridge, namely, Charles Edwin, Mary Maurinda, Esther Ehzabeth, James Edward, Hemy C. Albert J., Eliza
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beth, William F., Sarah, and Sarah (second). Of these, Esther E., James E., Henry C., Albert J., and Sarah are deceased.
William F. Trowbridge, being the youngest son, remained at home after the others had gone. He assisted his father about the farm, and while yet a boy became a connoisseur of cattle. After his father's death he bought the homestead, on which he has since made many improvements, enlarging many of the build- ings. He is now prosperously engaged in general farming, raising a great deal of tobacco. He also raises cattle, of which he usually has about twenty head. He makes a specialty of fine steers, of good pedigree and well broken, for which he takes first premium at every agricultural fair. In political matters he follows his father's teaching, and votes the Democratic ticket, but as yet is unharassed by the cares of office. He is unmarried, his mother still occupying the seat of honor at his table.
EORGE H. ATKINS, factory super- intendent of the Turner-Seymour plant at Torrington, a large estab- lishment for the manufacture of upholstery, hardware, and general brass and iron goods, was born in Durham, March 28, 1852, son of Henry G. and Mary A. (Evans) Atkins. His grandfather was a farmer in Meriden, Conn., owning his farm and occupying a prominent position among his townsmen. He lived to an advanced age, and reared a large family.
Henry G. Atkins, the father of George H., was born in Meriden, and spent his early life on the farm. When he attained his majority, he sought for work elsewhere, and found it in the shipping department of the Meriden Bri- tannia Company, as a packer of hollow ware. He was in this employment until 1862, when he enlisted in the service of his country.
Joining the ranks as a private, he was in time promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and shared in some of the most important engagements of the war. When his term of service ended, he returned to Meriden, resumed his work, and is still in the employ of the Meriden Britannia Company, his connection with the firm cover- ing more than thirty years. He married Mary A., daughter of Thomas Evans, of Atlanta, Ga., a harness-maker, who removed to Wal- lingford, Conn., and there worked at his busi- ness some years. Mr. Evans spent the latter part of his life in Middletown. His wife, who was a Miss Pauline Holcomb, also died in Middletown. They reared nine children, seven of whom are still living. The youngest died at the age of thirty-eight, in the year 1894. Mrs. Atkins, who is now living in Torrington, reared but one child, the subject of this sketch.
George H. Atkins's childhood was spent in Meriden, where he attended the common schools. He was fourteen when his parents removed to Torrington; and he entered the high school there, but did not take a full course of study. At fifteen he entered the general store of Workman Brothers as clerk, and two years later went to work for the con- cern with which he is now connected. This firm was then doing business under the name of Turner, Seymour & Judd, and had but a comparatively small establishment. His first work was burnishing. As time went on, he steadily advanced to more important positions, until finally he was made factory superintend- ent. Mr. Atkins has been connected with the manufactory since May 1, 1868, and in that time its pay-roll has increased from forty names to three hundred. The factory, which was built in 1894, is one of the finest equipped in the State.
In 1873 Mr. Atkins was united in marriage
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with Mary A. Glazier, daughter of Merritt Glazier, a spoon-maker in Hartford; and the union has been blessed by two children - Alice E. and Merritt S. The former is the wife of John N. Brooks, son of John Brooks, the banker of Torrington, who is assistant cashier in his father's bank; and she is the mother of two children - Laura and Elizabeth.
Politically, Mr. Atkins favors the Republi- can party. Hle is Treasurer of the Torrington Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and of the local branch of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; and he is a mem- ber of the Royal Arcanum. Hle and his fam- ily are members of Trinity Church. His wife is a teacher in the Sunday-school, and is con- nected with the parish societies; while his daughter has been a choir singer for years, and is also a Sunday-school teacher. Mr. Atkins, who has attained his present important posi- tion solely by merit, is ungrudgingly accorded the esteem to which he is entitled.
ICHAEL MCNAMARA, proprietor of the New Milford Elevator, the Brookfield Mills, and dealer in flour, grain, and feed, was born in Kinderhook, N. Y., in the year 1848, son of Daniel and Bridget (Gilligan) MeNamara. Mr. McNa- mara's father, a native of Timoleague, County Cork, Ireland, was a miller by trade, which had been the occupation of his ancestors for ten generations. He emigrated to the United States, and settled in Kinderhook, where he was engaged in milling until his death, which took place in 1887, at the age of sixty-seven ye.irs. He was an industrious and energetic man, who possessed a thoroughly practical knowledge of his business. His wife, whose maiden name was Bridget Gilligan, was born in Mullingar, County Meath, Ireland. She
became the mother of five children ; namely, Michael, Edward, Daniel, James, and Mary. She died in 1885, aged sixty-five years.
Michael McNamara was educated in Kinder- hook, and graduated from Chatham Academy in that town. Afterward, while employed in the factory of the Howe Sewing Machine Com- pany, he studied mechanical draughting at the Bridgeport Night School. He worked in the sewing machine factory for nine years, during which time he sayed from his earnings the sum of nine thousand dollars. When the gen- eral depression in the sewing machine business occurred, he went to Brookfield, and worked with his father at milling for about four years, thereby becoming familiar with the trade. Ile then engaged in the manufacture of hats with 1 .. H. Johnson, but soon abandoned that business. Subsequently he purchased the business of John Hurd at Trumbull's Mills. Later he bought successively the New Miltord Elevator, the Brookfield Mills, and the Aspe tuck Mills. He had the latter mills in opera- tion up to a recent date. For the past four years he has been President of the Aspetick River Mills Association, which owns and con- trols the water-power of Waramang Lake. While his enterprises have been most profit able to himself, they have also greatly bene fited the localities in which they have been carried on. In politics he is a Democrat, and is a leading spirit in local public affairs. le is a member of the Executive Committee for the Citizens' League, and also of the Reliet Committee for the distribution of funds to the poor of the town.
On August 15. 1882, Mr. Me Namaia was united in marriage to Theresa Crowe. She is a daughter of Dennis Crowe, and a graduate of Kinderhook Academy, having been salento rin of her class. They have five chiklien, as follows: Mary, who was born June 20, 1883.
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Daniel, born October 23, 1886; William, born August 29, 1891 ; and two others who died in infancy. The family attend the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. McNamara is a self-made man, like the large majority of those who are justly regarded as typical Americans. His prosperity is the logical result of a life of industry and perse- verance. Held in the highest estimation for his business capabilities, he is also respected for his firm adherence to all manly principles. His generosity to the needy has frequently elicited hearty commendation from his fellow- townsmen. He actively supports the temper- ance cause, and has rendered substantial aid in reforming victims of intemperance.
ILLIS L. POND, a successful young business man who has a grocery store on Main Street, Torrington, and conducts a dry-goods and boot and shoe store at West Torrington, was born in the for- mer place April 19, 1864, son of Lyman R. and Francis Irene (Rouse) Pond. His grand- father, Lyman Pond, spent the greater part of his life in the occupation of an agriculturist in the town of Northfield, Conn., and died in Campville in the same State.
Lyman R. Pond, son of Lyman Pond, was reared on the old homestead and early became acquainted with the various duties of a farm life. He also learned the trade of a shoe- maker, which he followed for a time. After he reached his majority, he removed to a farm situated about two miles west of the village of Torrington. Here he resided until April 1, 1895, when he sold out to his son and removed to another farm about a mile and a half east of the village. His wife, Frances Irene (Rouse) Pond, who was born in Great Bend, Pa., was a daughter of Norman B. and Eliza (Brownson)
Rouse. Four children were born to her par- ents, of whom two still survive - Wellington E. and Mary Gurette. Mrs. Pond bore her husband nine children; namely, Lucy Ann, Norman R., Mary E., Frances G., Frederick R., Willis L., Miles A., Lewis H., and Eli- jah R. Lucy Ann married for her first hus- band E. S. Andrus, and later became the wife of Levi Brown. Mary E. married Leslie Galpin, and afterward became the wife of Ful- ton Christopher. Frances G. married Will-
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