USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Litchfield County, Connecticut > Part 65
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
On December 25, 1844, Mr. Bostwick was united in marriage to Ann L. Porter, daughter of Jared Porter, who was a representative of a very prominent family of Monroe. He is a member of St. Peter's Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of which his grandfather was the first Master in 1793. He has had a long and varied busi- ness career, during which he has also served the public in positions of responsibility.
J OHIN F. WELLS, a highly intelligent and practical farmer of Bridgewater, Conn., is a native of New York State, born in the town of De Kalb, St. Lawrence
County, August 20, 1848. He is a son of Laurel and Minerva (Wall) Wells, and a grandson of Russell and Chloe (Paddock) Wells.
Russell Wells was born in Vermont in the year 1795. In 1826 he settled in De Kalb, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where he pur- chased about one hundred acres of timber land, and settled down to the life of a farmer. He married Chloe Paddock, a native of his town, in the year 1816. Five children were the fruit of their union ; namely, John F., Loren I'., Lucy, Laura, and Laurel. The last two were twins. The father died in his seventy- fifth year, and the mother at the age of fifty-six.
Laurel Wells was born in the year 1820. Ilis early years were passed at home. In 1842 he became a teacher in the public schools. He purchased one hundred and fifty acres of wild timber land, and at once built a small log house, eighteen by twenty fect. Then he began to clear a farm. In this he was so successful that when, in 1845, the eventful day of his marriage came, but twenty - five dollars remained to be paid on his farm. He continued in the occupation of farmer throughout his life, and became a prominent man in the community. In his political views he was a Republican. Like all good citizens, he took an active interest in the welfare of his town, and was often called upon to fill positions of responsibility and trust. He died February 10, 1802, at the age of seventy-two years. llis wife, Minerva Wall before marriage, is still living, and is now sixty-nine years okl. They were the parents of eight chiklren, as follows : John F., Charles, Edwin A., Milton, Chloe, Martha, Estella, and Josie.
John F. Wells received his education in the district and select schools. When twenty years old, he engaged in teaching, and received
604
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
as his pay for one winter the sum of one hun- dred dollars. He was then of age, and desired to start for himself. Although his father was unwilling that he should leave home, he gave him fifteen dollars; and with that as his capital he went to New Milford, and engaged in farm- ing for B. W. Buckingham one season. At the end of that time he returned home, and subsequently taught in Gouverneur, N. Y., for a year. After this he went back to Mr. Buck- ingham's in New Milford, for whom he worked during the summer and taught in the winter for the next three years. Then he purchased from the heirs the farm that had belonged to his wife's father. He has since added to it by the purchase of ten acres, so that he now has a farm of seventy acres. He has remod- elled the buildings and greatly improved the land, and is successfully engaged in general farming and tobacco raising. After his mar- riage he continued to teach school for a num- ber of winters. He is now living with his second wife. His first marriage was in 1871, on September 20, to Miss Mary E. Bronson, a daughter of Henry C. and Elizabeth Bron- son. She died August 31, 1873, when but twenty-three years of age. She left one child, Mary C., who married Christopher Dickinson in 1892. On September 17, 1874, he was again married, this time to Miss Alida Wil- son, a daughter of James and Ellen (Fuller) Wilson. Four children are the fruit of this union ; namely, Lilly, Ara F., Golda, and Laurel W.
Mr. Wells is an adherent of the Democratic party. He has served his town as Assessor, and he now holds the office of Selectman and of Justice of the Peace. He and his family attend the Congregational church. Mr. Wells is a man of remarkably steady habits, never having drunk a drop of liquor in his life, and by his upright dealings with all has
gained the respect of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
HARLES S. BIRGE, a farmer and lumberman of Harwinton, son of David and Helen (Sperry) Birge, was born in this town, Litchfield County, on September 30, 1853. Mr. Birge occupies the farm on which his grandfather, Allen Birge, settled when he came here from Bristol, a young man of twenty years, and where he died at the age of sixty-one, after a life of toil in forest and fields. Allen Birge's wife, Lucy Hotchkiss Birge, of Burlington, by whom he had five children, lived to the ad- vanced age of ninety-four years.
David Birge, son of Allen, was born and bred on his father's farm in Harwinton. He eventually became the owner of the homestead, and resided there until 1890, when he retired from active labor, he is now living in Bristol. David Birge has for many years been an active member of the Congregational church, and much of the time officially connected with both the church and society. His wife, whose maiden name was Helen Sperry, died in 1889, aged sixty-one. She was born in Burlington, daughter of Timothy and Flora (Smith) Sperry, both of whom were natives and life- long residents of that town. Mr. and Mrs. David. Birge reared three children, as follows : Charles S., the subject of this sketch; Ella, wife of Wilbur L. Barber, formerly of Har- winton, but now a resident of Milford, Conn., where he is a prosperous farmer ; and John, a coal dealer of Milford.
Charles S. Birge received his education in the district schools and at the Harwinton Academy. He began at an early age to help in the work of carrying on the farm, and has always resided at the old homestead. Since
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
605
his father's retirement he has conducted the farm alone, and is successfully engaged in general husbandry. He also devotes consider- able attention to lumbering, a business which, when well managed, is productive of good profits. Mr. Birge is a Republican in poli- tics, and has been called upon to serve in important positions of public trust. He was for five years second Selectman, and the pres- ent year he is serving as first Selectman. He has been a director in the town insurance com- pany, and in 1893 he was a Representative to the legislature.
On January 11, 1877, Mr. Birge married Martha A. Frisbie, who was born in Harwin- ton. Her parents are Henry and Sarah (Bat- terton) Frisbie, the former of whom is a native of Harwinton, and the latter of Danville, Ky. Their children are: Mary, wife of Darius Beach, of Thomaston; Irene, wife of Justin K. Hollister, a farmer of Glastonbury, Conn. ; and Martha A., now Mrs. Birge. Mr. and Mrs. Birge have one daughter, named Elsie A. They are members of the Congregational church, Mrs. Birge being also a member of the Ladies' Aid Society, which is active in many good works.
ARVIS E. THOMPSON, a well-to-do farmer of Bethlehem, Litchfield County, Conn., son of Major Edwin I .. and Julia (Gibbs) Thompson, was born in this town, July 8, 1845. Mr. Thompson's paternal grandfather, Levi Thompson, a native of and a lifelong resident of Bethlehem, was an ener- getic and industrious farmer and a worthy citi- zen. He died at the age of sixty-five years. He married Polly Orton; and they reared a family of six children, as follows : Julia; Pan- line; Egbert; Edwin L. ; Abiel, who died at the age of eight years; and Harriet. Mrs.
Polly Orton Thompson lived to reach the age of seventy-three.
Edwin L. Thompson, son of Levi, was born at the homestead in Bethlehem in 1816. As he grew to manhood, he acquired a practical knowledge of farming, which he continued to follow as his occupation for life. Aside from his ability as a farmer, he possessed a natural genius for mechanics, and was thus enabled to attend to all his own blacksmithing and re- pairing, keeping his buildings as well as his tools and implements in the best of order, the energy and good judgment with which he man- aged his affairs securing an ample reward for his labor. He was a Democrat in politics, being prominent in public affairs for many years; and he ably represented his town in the legislature for two terms. He held a commis- sion for some time as Major in the State mili- tia. Julia B. Gibbs, who became the wife of Major Thompson in 1838, was born in Bland- ford, Mass., daughter of Captain Lester E. and Mary (Boise) Gibbs. Captain Gibbs was a prosperous farmer, who died at the age of fifty-five, having been the father of nine chil- dren, namely : Julia B. ; Jarvis; David; Sam- uel; Russell; Belle; Maria; and Edward and Edson, twins. Their mother died at the age of seventy - three years. Mrs. Edwin I .. Thompson became the mother of seven chil- dren, as follows: Tracey R., who married Addie Brewer; Sarah, who died at the age of thirty-five; Mary, who was Mrs. Thompson ; Jarvis E., the subject of this sketch ; Augusta. who is now Mrs. King, and has one daughter. named Julia T. ; Isabella, who became Mrs. Randall, and has five children - Edwin, Mary, Isabella, Frederick, and Dorothy ; and Dora, who became Mrs. Thompson, and has three children - Julia C., Harold, and Welton.
Jarvis E. Thompson received his education in the schools of his native town. He has
606
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
always resided at the homestead; and, being an able and progressive farmer, he enjoys a good share of prosperity, occupying a leading posi- tion among the well-to-do residents of Bethle- hem. On November 18, 1875, he was united in marriage with Emma M. Judson, daughter of Harmon W. Judson, of Woodbury, and has four children, namely: Sarah E .; Gertie E. ; Erwin L., who died at the age of nine years; and Isabella J. Mr. Thompson is an Episco- palian in religion, and a Democrat in politics. He is well and favorably known in this vicin- ity as a reliable and useful citizen, and is a member of Federal Lodge, No. 17, A. F. & A. M., of Watertown.
HARLES E. GRIFFING, of New Milford, Conn., manufacturer of the well-known Housatonic Valley Lime, was born in Danbury, Fairfield County, January 24, 1847, son of Martin H. and Mari- etta (Hoyt) Griffing. Mr. Griffing's father was an extensive coal merchant in Danbury, where for many years he conducted a success- ful business.
Charles E. Griffing received a good educa- tion; and at the age of twenty-one he engaged in business with his father, later conducting the enterprise alone. In 1886 he purchased land at Sanford Station, which contained a lime quarry; and, constructing kilns, he en- gaged in the manufacturing of lime, doing a good business for several years. When the deposit of a superior quality of lime was dis- covered upon the land of M. Marsh in New Milford, he immediately bought the rights; and, moving his machinery to the new quarries in 1892, he opened business with one kiln. The Housatonic Valley Lime (this name being his trade-mark) soon became so widely known as to demand increased production ; and he has
since been adding to his plant, which now consists of four large kilns. His quarry is the largest in the State, and, although it is now being worked at a level forty feet below the surface, continues to produce rock of the finest quality. Mr. Griffing has constructed a railway, one and one-half miles in length, di- rect from the quarry to the line of the Housa- tonic Railroad Company, and has availed him- self of all modern improvements in the way of machinery to facilitate the manufacture and shipping of his product, which amounts to five thousand barrels per month, the casks being made on the premises. Besides the forty hands directly engaged at the lime-works, many others are employed in cutting and hauling the wood used in supplying the kilns.
Mr. Griffing married Martha Northrup, daughter of Andrew Northrup, a representative of one of the most prominent families in this part of the State, and has one son, Andrew N. Griffing, who was born June 10, 1872. He is a young man of ability, now filling the posi- tion of superintendent for his father, having the management of the business. He and his wife, Minnie Greene Griffing, have one son, named Ralph A. Mr. Charles E. Griffing has erected a handsome cottage upon land adjoin- ing the quarries, the grounds being beautifully laid out ; and he has also built a spacious barn near by, this place, together with his fine resi- dence and other valuable property in Danbury, presenting ample evidence of his business prosperity and success.
In Masonry Mr. Griffing is well advanced, being a member of Danbury Commandery, Knights Templars, and of the Mystic Shrine. He is a self-made man, highly esteemed in both business and social circles, and has done much toward developing the industries of New Milford. Politically, he is a stanch Repub -. lican.
U. P. BARTHOLOMEW.
609
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
RI P. BARTHOLOMEW, station agent for the Shepaug, Litchfield & Northern Railroad at Bantam, in the town of Litchfield, Conn., was born in Goshen, near by, March 29, 1830, son of Milo and Millia (Holbrook) Bartholomew. Mr. Bartholomew's grandfather, Samuel Bartholo- mew, a native of Guilford, New Haven County, became an early settler in the town of Goshen, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. Milo Bartholomew, son of Samuel, was reared to farm life, and succeeded to the possession of the farm after his father's death. He conducted agriculture successfully, and erected the present farm residence in. 1849. He became prominent in public affairs, and was originally a Whig, but later a Republican in politics. He served as a Selectman for many years, and represented his district in the legislature two terms, being a useful and highly esteemed member of the community. He died at the age of seventy years. His wife, Millia Holbrook, was born in Goshen, and in that town was a lifelong resident. She was a member of the Congrega- tional church. Her father, Sylvanus Hol- brook, was a native of Stonington, and during his early manhood there followed the trade of a shoemaker. Later, moving to Goshen, he settled upon a small farm, which he cultivated for some years. He died at the residence of his daughter. Mrs. Milo Bartholomew was the mother of three sons, two of whom are still living, namely: Uri P., the subject of this sketch; and Samuel A., who now resides at the old homestead.
Uri P'. Bartholomew commenced his educa- tion in the schools of Goshen, and completed his studies at a seminary in Suffield, Conn. He assisted his father in carrying on the farm, and resided at home until reaching the age of twenty-five years, when he went to Milton, in
the town of Litchfield, where he remained for a short time, after which he returned to Goshen, and engaged in the milling and team- ing business for some years. He was foreman of the knife manufactory for four years; and in 1875 he came to Litchfield, where he en- gaged in operating a flouring mill for Mr. Mc- Neil for seven years. Then, establishing himself in mercantile business at Bantam, he successfully conducted a country store for nine years. Mr. Bartholomew was appointed sta- tion agent of the Shepaug Railroad Company at Bantam in 1882; and in 1888 he rented his store, in order to devote his time and attention to the duties of that position and also to the building interests and other business in which he is engaged, he being likewise express and weighing agent, carrier of the United States mail, and quite an extensive dealer in lumber and coal.
In 1854 Mr. Bartholomew was united in marriage with Lucelia S. Dudley, a daughter of Deacon S. H. Dudley, who was for many years a prosperous farmer of Litchfield. He now resides with Mr. Bartholomew, and is still bright and intelligent at the advanced age of ninety-one years. He has been a Deacon of the Congregational church for more than fifty years, and was formerly a Justice of the Peace and a very prominent man in the com- mumity. Mr. Bartholomew's first wife died, leaving one son, Milo D., who is foreman of his father's building operations, and is an ex- cellent mechanic. He married Ida Bennett, of Bristol, Conn., daughter of Charles Bennett, who now resides at their home in Bantam. They have one daughter, named Grace I ..
Uri P. Bartholomew married for his second wife Cornelia E. Dudley, a sister of his first wife. Mr. Bartholomew is a Republican in politics, but has never sought for political honors. Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew are ment-
610
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
bers of the Congregational church at Milton, but attend the Episcopal church in Bantam, in which Mr. Bartholomew is a Vestryman and a member of the choir.
HERMAN KIMBERLY, a well- known and prosperous farmer of Goshen, Conn., was born upon his present farm, May 8, 1831, son of Henry and Sylvia (Curtis) Kimberly. Mr. Kimberly's great-grandfather was Jacob Kimberly, who emigrated from England, and settled near New Haven, Conn. He served in the Con- tinental army during the Revolutionary War, one of his brothers being a soldier in the Eng- lish ranks. Mr. Kimberly's grandfather, Hubbard Kimberly, was born in West Haven, and in early manhood settled upon a farm in Goshen. In 1812 with his wife and children he made the journey from Connecticut to Ohio with an ox-team, and after a short residence there returned to Goshen in the same manner. He was engaged in farming during the re- mainder of his active life, and died at the home of his son Henry, aged seventy-eight years. His wife died at about the same age.
Henry Kimberly, father of our subject, was born in Goshen, and reared to agriculture. He lived with his parents until attaining his majority, at which time he purchased the farm where his son Sherman now resides, and died there at the age of fifty-four years. He was a Whig in politics, and served several years on the Board of Selectmen. His wife, Sylvia Curtis, was born in Winchester, and was a daughter of Jared Curtis, a farmer of that town. She became the mother of nine chil- dren, all of whom grew to maturity, four being now living, namely: Sherman, whose name appears at the head of this sketch; Ed- ward, who resides in Florida; Sylvia, who be-
came the wife of Elmer Burrell, of Colebrook; and Delia, wife of Samuel Reed, of West Torrington. Three sons - Henry, Uri, and Daniel -- were killed in the Civil War. Mrs. Henry Kimberly died at the residence of her son Sherman, having attained the venerable age of ninety-three years.
Sherman Kimberly acquired the rudiments of his education in the common schools, com- pleting his studies in Chicopee, Mass. He assisted in carrying on the farm, and after his father's death succeeded to the ownership of the property. He has since devoted his time and energies to general farming with the most satisfactory results. He has a thorough prac- tical knowledge of agriculture, and is consid- ered a high authority upon all matters rela- tive to the farm and garden. In politics Mr. Kimberly supports the Populist movement. He has always taken an active interest in the Patrons of Husbandry, being the first State Deputy and first Master of the State Grange; and both he and all his family are members of the Grange in Torrington.
On April 27, 1856, Mr. Kimberly was mar- ried to Lorette E. Pendleton, who was born in Norfolk, Conn., and is a daughter of Abel and Zeruah (Egleston) Pendleton. Her father, who was a thrifty farmer of Norfolk, was born in Rhode Island, February 16, 1811, and died at the residence of his daughter, at the age of seventy-one years. Mrs. Kim- berly's great-grandfather was a farmer of Westerly, R.I., her grandfather, Ethan Pen- dleton, being born in that town. He later settled in South Norfolk, where he became a prosperous farmer and an extensive real estate holder, owning over six hundred acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Kimberly have had four children, as follows: Nellie, who married O. E. Wadhams, a farmer of Torrington, and is the mother of three children - Eugene,
611
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
James, and Erland; Ellora, who married Fessenden L. Ives, a farmer of Goshen, and has one child, named Fessenden E .; Kerrill K., a farmer; and Karmi.
RANK W. ETHERIDGE was born in Montville, Conn., on March 31, 1858. He was educated at the Hartford High School, and subsequently entered the office of the late Hon. Elisha Johnson and the Hon. Samuel C. Prentice. Both members of the firm were men of prominence and ability, the former being at one time one of the most in-
fluential citizens of Plymouth, the latter now occupying the bench as a Judge of the Su- perior Court. Mr. Etheridge, after complet- ing a thorough course under the supervision of these able gentlemen, began to practise his profession in the spring of 1880, coming to Thomaston immediately after his admittance to the bar. Here he opened an office in Morse Block, and in the fall of same year en- tered into a partnership with Judge Albert P. Bradstreet, of Thomaston, Judge of the Dis- trict Court of Waterbury. This firm is still in existence. Mr. Etheridge is Judge of the Probate District Court of Thomaston and Town Clerk of Thomaston, having occupied both positions for several years. Ile also holds a number of minor positions. He has served on the Board of Education, of which he was Secretary for five years ; and for the last ten years he has been a Justice of the Peace.
Early in the year 1892, upon the death of Mr. C. James, the editor of the Thomaston Express, Judge Etheridge became the pro- prietor and editor of that paper. The Express is a strong advocate of all progressive move- ments, and has just entered upon its sixteenth year with good prospects for the future.
Judge Etheridge is deeply interested and
takes an active part in all enterprises tending to the advancement of his town and people. He is a member of Franklin Lodge, Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Colum- bian Encampment of the same order. On December 20, 1882, he married Miss Ellen Mathews; and four children were the issue of this union: Frederick W., Clara May, Jesse R., and Florence M.
ELVINA BOSTWICK, a highly esteemed resident of New Milford and a representative of one of the first families of this town, was born' at the Bostwick homestead, June 15, 1814, daughter of Marshall and Polly (Evetts) Bostwick. Miss Bostwick is a lineal descendant of Arthur Bostwick, a native of the city of Chester, Cheshire, England, who with his only son, John Bostwick, emigrated to New England, and settled in Stratford, Conn., about the year 1650. They resided in Stratford for the remainder of their lives; and John Bostwick, who married Mary Brinsmead, left a good es- tate.
Their son John settled in New Milford in 1708, and became a large land-owner. He lived to the age of eighty years. He was the second settler in the locality; and it is said that his eighth son, Daniel Bostwick, was the first white male child born in the town. Major John Bostwick, ellest son of John, second, and Abigail Bostwick, was born in Stratford in 1689, and became a prominent resident of New Milford, where he died at the age of fifty-two. He married Mary Bushnell, and reared a family of five children, one of whom was Benajah, Miss Bostwick's great- grandfather, who was born on February 8. 1718, was a lifelong resident of the town, and died at the age of fifty-nine. He married
:
612
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Hannah Fisk, and his two children were David and John.
David, Miss Bostwick's grandfather, was born in New Milford, August 3, 1742. He bought a large tract of land in the Upper Merryall District, and became a very enter- prising business man of his day. Aside from his agricultural interests, he introduced vari- ous industries, carrying on flax and woollen mills, a distillery, a blacksmith shop, and a scythe factory, in all of which he was finan- cially successful and acquired wealth. He was a progressive and public-spirited man, who had at heart the general good of the com- munity ; and he was a member of the Congre- gational church. He and his wife, Hannah Hill Bostwick, had three children: Deming; Joel; and Marshall, the father of Miss Bost- wick.
Marshall Bostwick was born in the house which his daughter now occupies. He con- tinued to conduct the scythe factory estab- lished by his father, and also engaged exten- sively in agricultural pursuits, paying partic- ular attention to the raising of cattle and sheep. He was well and favorably known as an enterprising and successful business man .. In politics he was a Whig, and for many years was a prominent figure in local public affairs, serving with ability as a member of the Board of Selectmen and acting as a Justice of the Peace. In his religious views he was origi- nally a Congregationalist, but later became an Episcopalian. Polly Evetts became the mother of seven children, namely: Hannah ; Josephine; Marietta; Marinda; Marshall; Jerome; and Melvina, the subject of this sketch.
Melvina Bostwick succeeded to the posses- sion of the homestead, and has here passed the greater part of her life; but of late she has spent the winters in Brooklyn, N. Y.,
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.