USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Litchfield County, Connecticut > Part 68
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Mrs. Adams since 1884 has been, until quite recently, at the head of the primary de- partment of the Litchfield public schools, a position which she most ably filled, and she is here well known and highly esteemed. In December, 1895, she resigned her position in Litchfield to accept a more remunerative one in the Torrington schools. Mrs. Adams has had two children, one of whom survives ; namely, Alice S., who since the resignation of her mother has been appointed a teacher in the primary room of the public school of Litch- field. Mrs. Adams is a member of the Con- gregational church, but she has been organist and has sung in the choir for several years past in the Methodist Episcopal church of Litchfield.
IEUTENANT DAVID E. SOULE, a retired lumber dealer of New Mil- ford, Conn., and a worthy represen- tative of one of the oldest New England fami- lies, was born on Long Mountain in the town of New Milford, March 4, 1838, and is a son of John and Lucinda (Whitehead) Soule.
George Soule, the progenitor of the family in America, came from England in the "May- flower" in 1620, and settled in Duxbury, Mass. John Soule, a descendant of George, was a native of Danbury but after his marriage he settled on Long Mountain in Litchfield County, where he owned a large tract of land, which he cultivated to some extent, and also engaged in blacksmithing, having learned that trade when a young man. Toward the close of
his life he sold his farm, and, moving to New Milford village, spent the last years of his life in retirement. He died there in 1894, at ninety-three years of age. His wife, Lucinda Whitehead, who died in the seventy-third year of her age, reared the following children : Olive, Henry W., Turney, Olive L., David E., Mary J., and Sally A.
David E. Soule obtained a good practical common-school education in the schools of New Milford and Gaylordsville, and at seven- teen years of age he learned the trade of car- penter. Working at that vocation until Au- gust, 1862, he then enlisted in Company H of the Nineteenth Regiment of Connecticut Vol- unteers; and when, after several weeks spent in drilling, that regiment was ordered to Wash- ington, D. C., he was promoted to the rank of Corporal. They remained at Alexandria a year and a half, engaged in picket duty, and were then transferred to the Second Heavy Artillery Regiment. At the time the powder magazine was blown up, Mr. Soule, in charge of one hundred and fifty men, was detailed to rebuild it. He was advanced to the rank of Sergeant, and about three months later became Color Sergeant. In May, 1864, his regiment was ordered to join the Army of the Potomac at Fredericksburg; and during the long marches of General Grant's army (of which they were then a part) to Cold Harbor and James River he acted as Color Bearer with honor, although the colors were well riddled with bullets and the spear of the shaft shot away. His regiment then went to the Shenan- doah Valley with Sheridan. After the valley campaign they returned to Petersburg, and took part in several battles. Lieutenant Soule was with his regiment in every engagement in which it participated, but escaped unwounded, and enjoyed good health. He received his honorable discharge in September, 1865.
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Shortly after his return home he resumed his trade, and in company with his brother Turney went into a lumber and contracting business, which they conducted with excellent success. Later on they added a tobacco ware- house, and dealt extensively in that article. He has been the contractor on several fine buildings in New Milford, among them the residences of Dr. Hine, T. J. Murch, and Mrs. Noble, also the St. John's Church ; and he was one of the largest stockholders in the erection of the Meantinaug Hotel. He employed as many as seventy-five men in the building busi- ness. In 1882 he retired from the lumber business.
On January 11, 1866, Mr. Soule was united in marriage with Miss Sarah M. Sullivan, a daughter of Henry Sullivan. Their union was blessed by the birth of three children, namely : Frank E., a book-keeper, who married Miss Ola Beers; Florence A., still in school; and Willie L., a clerk. Mrs. Sarah M. Soule died in 1891 ; and in March, 1892, Mr. Soule married Miss Carrie Hine, a daughter of Major Edward and Mary Hine. Her father was a successful farmer and highly respected citizen of New Milford.
Mr. Soule has always manifested much in- terest in the progress and improvement of his town. He is an honored member of vari- ous fraternal organizations, among which may be mentioned St. Peter's Lodge, No. 21, A. F. & A. M. ; Housatonic Chapter, No. 33, Royal Arch Masons; Hamilton Commandery, Knights Templars, of Bridgeport, Conn. ; Pyramid Temple, of the order of the Mystic Shrine, also of Bridgeport; Good Shepherd Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is Past Grand; and Upton Post, No. 14, Grand Army of the Republic, which he served as Commander for five years, and is now Past Commander. In 1881 he purchased of E.
Boardman a piece of land on which stood a house that was built by D. Everett in 1782. Here he erected, from plans made by himself, one of the largest and finest residences in the town. It is supplied with modern improve- ments, finished in a first-class manner through- out, and is a model of convenience and com- fort.
ENRY S. KARRMANN, M.D., a successful physician of North Wood- bury, Conn:, was born in Leeds, Mass., March 11, 1855, son of Sebastian and Elizabeth (Winters) Karrmann. Dr. Karr- mann's father was born at Frankfort-on-the- Main, Germany, in 1806. He acquired the trade of a cloth-maker in his native country ; and at the age of twenty-six he emigrated to the United States, settling first in New Haven, Conn., where he followed his occupation for some time. He was an expert workman, and during his active period was employed at vari- ous places, his skill and thorough knowledge of the business being widely known and always in demand. He was finally retired from active labor, and passed the closing years of his life in Torrington, Conn., where he died at the age of seventy-seven years. By his wife, Elizabeth Winters, he had eleven children, namely : Catherine; George; Elizabeth ; Charles; Mary; Albert; Ellen; David; Ed- ward; Henry S., the subject of this sketch; and William. The mother lived to reach the age of seventy-six.
Henry S. Karrmann fitted for college at the high school in New Haven, and subsequently took a three years' course at Yale University. His professional studies were pursued at the New York University Medical School, from which he graduated in 1876; and during the same year he located in Woodbury. He has since continued to practise in this town, his
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skill as a general physician being greatly ap- preciated by the citizens. . He is likewise constantly in demand throughout the adjoining towns, where he conducts an equally large practise. He resides in North Woodbury, having purchased the Anson Root place, and remodelled the house and otherwise improved the property, which now has a most attractive appearance; and he occupies pleasant office quarters in Strong Block. In 1881 Dr. Karr- mann was united in marriage with Lottie I. Hurd, daughter of Charles R. Hurd, of Rox- bury. They have six children ; namely, Ruth, Charles, Marguerite, Milton, Henry, and Sarah.
Dr. Karrmann is a Democrat in politics, and has rendered valuable service to the town in some of the important offices. He is a mem- ber of King Solomon Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of the Royal Arch Chapter, and is also connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is at the present time Post- master of North Woodbury. Aside from his professional standing, he is very popular so- cially ; and he and his family occupy a promi- nent position among the leading residents of the town.
EWIS S. NORTHROP, a well-known and prosperous farmer of the town of Kent, was born upon the farm he now owns and occupies, February 24, 1843, son of Agur C. and Lucy (Swift) Northrop. Mr. Northrop's grandparents were Thomas G. and Ann (Curtis) Northrop, the former of whom came from New Milford and resided in Kent for the rest of his life. His trade of tanning and currying formed his prin- cipal employment ; but he also did shoemak- ing and some farming, varying his labors ac- cording to the season and circumstances. Thomas G. Northrop died at the age of
seventy-nine. He and his wife reared five children, as follows: Anna, Thomas W., Agur C., Birdsey G., and Henry M. Their mother, Mrs. Ann Curtis Northrop, died at fifty-four years of age. Birdsey G. Northrop, LL.D., third son of Thomas G., is widely known, both for his many years of labor in the inter- est of the public schools of Connecticut and Massachusetts, he having served in each of these Commonwealths as Secretary of the State Board of Education, and for his lectures on "Village Improvement." During the past year, 1895, at seventy-eight years of age he made a very enjoyable trip to Japan, via Cali- fornia and Honolulu, being gone six months. He was in Japan in time to witness the jubila- tions over the return of their victorious armies from China.
Agur C. Northrop, second son of Thomas, was born in Kent in 1812. He always re- sided upon the home farm, which he cultivated with good results until his death, that event occurring in the forty-sixth year of his age. His wife, whose maiden name was Lucy Swift, became the mother of three children, namely: Lewis S., the subject of this sketch ; Harriet, who was born in 1844; and Charles C., who died at the age of two years. Harriet Northrop married George Stockwell, and had two children: Mary and Lewis N., deceased, the former of whom is now Mrs. Pixley, and has a daughter, Lucy Northrop Pixley. Mrs. Lucy S. Northrop, who has now reached the age of eighty years, is residing with her son.
Lewis S. Northrop received his education in the schools of his native town, and was reared to the life of a farmer. He owns a good farm, which is well improved; and he here conducts general husbandry with energy and ability, his labor being productive of the most gratifying results. He is a Republican
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in politics, and has served as a member of the Board of Assessors for several years.
In 1864 Mr. Northrop was united in mar- riage with Abby Barnum, daughter of Milo C. and Amanda (Thorp) Barnum, of Kent. Mrs. Northrop's grandparents were Andrew and Sally (Chapman) Barnum, the former of whom was born in Bethel, and the latter in Redding, Fairfield County. Andrew Barnum lived to reach the age of seventy-nine. His wife died aged fifty-nine. They had eight children; namely, Milo C., Joshua, Daniel, Lucinda, Sarah, Mary, Andrew, and John. Milo C. Barnum, Mrs. Northrop's father, was born in Bethel, and followed agricultural pursuits in that town a number of years, moving thence to New York State, later coming to Kent, and en- gaging in farming until his death, which took place when he was fifty-seven years old. His wife, who was a native of Danbury, Conn., lived to the age of eighty years. She was the inother of two children: Lucy E., who is now Mrs. Hall, and has one daughter, named Anna ; and Sarah Abby, who is now Mrs. Northrop.
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ERBERT NOEL CUNNINGHAM, M. A., rector of Christ Church, Watertown, Conn., was born in Hampshire, England, April 23, 1851. He is the son of the Rev. Francis M. and Alice (Poore) Cunningham and the grandson of the Rev. John William Cunningham, his father and grandfather having been prominent clergy- men in the English Church. He was educated at Haileybury and Oxford. He was ordained at Oxford in 1877, and, after serving as a curate and vicar of St. George's, Tylehurst, England, received a call from America to take charge of the parish of St. George Le Mars in Iowa. This he accepted, and remained in Iowa three years. In 1884 he was placed in
charge of the Episcopal church in Westfield, Mass., subsequently taking charge of the parish in Easthampton, that State; and in 1886 he became pastor of Christ Church in Watertown. Mr. Cunningham married Ger- trude N., daughter of the Rev. Gilbert Brad- ley, vicar of St. Edmund's, Dudley, England, and niece of Archdeacon Farrar. Mr. Cun- ningham is a Mason, belonging to Federal Lodge of Watertown.
ARWIN S. MOORE. If ever in democratic America the time shall come when ancestry will be held in the same esteem that it commands in other countries, there will be no prouder lineage to claim than that which springs from the old New England settlers. They were sturdy, rugged, self-reliant men; and many a culti- vated field on rocky slope or barren hill-top bears silent witness to their hard and honest work. Of the way in which those hardy pioneers conquered the wilderness, and brought up their children to love and to cling to the homes which they, the fathers, had founded in an adopted land, the family history of Darwin S. Moore, a prominent merchant of Winsted, affords a typical illustration.
Mr. Moore's great-grandfather, Marvin Moore, came from Durham, Scotland, and took up a tract of wild land in Tolland, Hampden County, Mass. He cleared this land, and made of it the nucleus of a fertile farm, which now exceeds four hundred acres in extent. It passed into the possession of his son, Deacon Elizur Datus Moore, who be- came an influential man in the community, was for many years Town Clerk, and repre- sented his town in the legislature during the term of 1866. He married the daughter of Daniel Wadsworth, for many years a merchant
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of Tolland. Mr. Wadsworth had removed to that place in 1808 from Hartford, Conn., where he had also been a merchant, and where he had married the daughter of the Rev. John Eels, a distinguished clergyman of that city.
After his marriage to Miss Wadsworth Deacon Moore continued to occupy the old homestead, and there his five children were born. One of these children, John W., set- tled in California, Mo., and became prominent among the legal fraternity of the West. He has been State attorney of Missouri, and is now circuit judge. The second son, Renold S., is a market gardener near Washington, D.C. Another son, Bennett E. Moore, was born in 1828, and has spent the greater part of his life on the farm bequeathed him by his father, which has now been in the possession of the family over one hundred and fifty years. He married a Winchester girl, Jennie Flora, the daughter of Samuel W. Starks, whose wife, Flora Murray, was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Murray, a couple who lived to the good old ages of eighty-six and ninety- three years respectively.
Such, then, is a rapid sketch of what we have referred to as a typical New England an- cestry. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett E. Moore, the third generation living on the old Tolland farm, have had a family of cight children, seven sons and one daughter: one of the sons died in infancy; another, Frederick M., one of the most promising and popular young men in Winsted, died in January, 1895, at the age of nineteen; Charles B. Moore is married, and is a resident of Winsted, John W. is a rising young merchant, and Burton E. a stock dealer in the same city; Adelaide, a graduate of the Westfield Normal School, is a teacher in Winchester: and Samuel, the youngest, is a student at the Gilbert School in Winsted, liv- ing with his parents. On account of the re-
moval of so many of their children to Win- sted Mr. and Mrs. Moore have at length left the ancestral farm in Tolland for that of Mr. Moore in Winchester.
The remaining son, Darwin S. Moore, with whom this article is more particularly identi- fied, was born in February, 1864, and was a boy of thirteen when he left the common school in Tolland to help his father on the home farm. In 1883 he entered the store of Wilbur F. Coe, of Winsted, as a clerk. He spent seven years in this and other stores. In April, 1891, he opened a store of his own at 363 Main Street, and, notwithstanding vigor- ous competition, made his business a success. He eventually sold this business, that of hats and gentlemen's furnishing goods, to his brother John W., and has lately bought the book and stationcry business of W. H. Gil- lette, which he has greatly enlarged, and will conduct on a much more extensive scale than formerly.
Mr. Moore is one of the younger business men to whom Winsted is looking to maintain the prestige it has always held in North-west- crn Connecticut. He takes great interest in all local affairs, and, although a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party, places good citizenship above all partisan claims. He is a member of the Odd Fellows. the Royal Arcanum, and other societies. He is also active in church and Sunday-school work, being a regular attendant with his wite at the Second Congregational Church, of which he is one of the society committee.
Mr. Moore was married October 7, 1891, to Celia L., daughter of Charles S. Webster, of Winsted. Mrs. Moore is a graduate of the Winsted High School, and before her mar- riage was a teacher of music. She has one sister, Lilian, who for the past nine years has been book-keeper for the Winsted Optical
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Company. Mr. and Mrs. Moore live in a pleasant residence on Williams Avenue, into which they moved in the winter of 1893.
OUIS E. DAWSON, a thriving mer- chant of Woodbury, was born in Hotchkissville, Conn., May 26, 1864. He was the son of Francis and Eliza- beth A. (Merriam) Dawson, grandson of Hugh F. and Nancy (Persall) Dawson and great-grandson of John and Elizabeth (Max- field) Dawson.
John Dawson was an Englishman by birth, though he became a naturalized citizen of America in after years. He was born in Eng- land, June 24, 1779, and was evidently a man of education and culture, as he graduated at Oxford University, England. He first came to America in the British army as a foe, dur- ing the War of 1812, but was so favorably im- pressed with this country that he determined to make it his home, and chose Philadelphia as an abiding-place. He married Elizabeth Maxfield in Monroe, Fairfield County. He subsequently left Pennsylvania for New York, settling in Greene County. His fine educa- tion, which was unusual at that time in this country, gave him great influence in his com- munity; and he was an active worker for the interests of the people and town where he lived. All important matters and affairs that required judgment and knowledge were de- cided by him, such as the settlement of es- tates. He remained in Greene County, and spent his last years in the locality where he was so highly esteemed, dying there in 1818. His wife was born in 1784, and died in 1844. Their children were: John, Francis, Betsy, Prudence, Hugh F., Polly, Richard, Cathe- rine, and Hawley.
Hugh F. Dawson was born April 26, 1792,
and made his home in New Haven County, in the Shepaug valley, where he followed agri- culture. When after some years he changed his residence to Greene County, New York, he engaged in the tin business, but did not give up farming. He must have been a inan of wonderful energy and enterprise; for, in addi- tion to his other work, he kept a number of wagons on the road. He died June 1I, 1862. His wife, who was born March 14, 1792, died March 24, 1850. Their children were: Betsy, Francis, William, Henry, Maria, Polly, Louis, John, and Patty.
Francis Dawson was born January 19, 1818, in Greenville, Greene County, N. Y., and ob- tained his education in the place of his birth. His first business enterprise was peddling tin and other articles of merchandise; but he did not continue in this long, for, when about thirty years old, he moved to the State of Illi- nois, where he purchased a farm, and tried agriculture for a few years. Apparently dis- satisfied with this employment, he moved to Hotchkissville, Conn., where he engaged with his brothers in the manufacture of woollen cloth, and spent much of his time travelling through different States, selling the products of their manufacture. He also dealt some- what in real estate, and loaned money. He was very successful, accumulating a large fortune. He retired from active life in 1845, and came to North Woodbury, where he has lived for some years. He owns property in the town of Woodbury, in the adjoining town, and in the State of Illinois. Francis Dawson was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Halsted, who died at the age of forty, leaving three children, namely: Sephronia, who mar- ried George F. Morris; Carrie, who became the wife of Mr. H. Minor; and Nancy, who married Mr. F. Jackson. His second wife, whom he married September 7, 1859, was
i
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Elizabeth A., daughter of Erastus and Maria (Wattles) Merriam. By her he is the father of Louis E., our special subject; and Erwin C. Dawson. The latter, born May 1, 1871, is a boot and shoe dealer in North Woodbury. Mr. Dawson is a Republican in politics, a member of a Congregational church, and be- longs to King Solomon's Lodge, No. 7, A. F. & A. M.
Louis E. Dawson was educated in the pub- lic schools, and commenced his business career in North Woodbury as clerk in the house of A. A. Root. He gained some knowledge and experience in this first effort, and then de- cided to prepare himself thoroughly for the mercantile life. He took the business course at Yale, but did not go into mercantile life immediately after leaving college, as he took charge of his father's farm for a time; but, his taste not inclining to agriculture, he left the farm, and went to Waterbury, where he obtained the position of clerk with W. H. Upson. He was also for some time a clerk for Meigs & Trott; but, not satisfied with a subordinate place, and determined to embark in business for himself, he united in 1884 with G. F. Morris in the purchase of W. A. Strong's property, and established himself as a merchant. After a time Mr. Dawson and Mr. Morris divided the stock, Mr. Morris going to Hotchkissville with his portion and Mr. Dawson remaining in Woodbury, where he is now conducting business. He keeps a good stock of general merchandise, including ready-made clothing, groceries, paper, and, in fact, every article that is likely to be called for in a general store. Mr. Dawson purchased the Walker house and lot, and in 1895 erected a very handsome house on the latter. The house is modern, and has all the late improve- ments necessary for health and comfort. In addition to the property mentioned he owns
three acres and a half of valuable land in the town, which he intends dividing into building lots. He also owns building lots in Bristol, Conn., and in the State of Washington. Louis E. Dawson was married April 15, 1885, to Miss Louise Stone, a daughter of James and Carrie (Caswell) Stone. Four children were born of this marriage: Winfred Eugene; Morton Har- rison; Henry, who died young ; and Clyde.
Mr. Dawson is a Republican in politics, as his father was before him, and holds the posi- tion of Assistant Town Clerk. He is a mem- ber of the Congregational church. A glance at his career shows him to possess both strength and intellect in an unusual degree, and he is a man whose influence will be felt wherever he lives.
LANSON L. WEIRS, for more than a quarter of a century an active busi- ness man of Winsted, where he died, after a protracted retirement, on January 25, 1887, aged sixty-eight years, esteemed and lamented, was a native of East Glaston- bury, Hartford County, Conn.
He was a son of Walter Weirs, and was of Scottish ancestry, his great-grandfather hav- ing come from Scotland, and established a home in the then wilds of Connecticut. The present dwelling, standing on the site of the primitive log house erected by him, where four generations of his descendants have grown to youth and manhood, is still owned by a member of the Weirs family. Walter Weirs was twice married, and by the two wives had a family of nine children, all of whom have since died. Alanson L. Weirs was one of the three sons born of his union with Hannah Hurlburt, the other two being Albert and Henry. The graves of their father and mother are in East Glastonbury.
Alanson 1 .. Weirs, who began life as a poor
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boy, learned the trade of a cabinet-maker. He came to Winsted, Conn., over forty years ago, and started in business as a furniture dealer and an undertaker, and for quite a long time was the only one in the town engaged in either line. His continued diligence was re- warded with success. He managed well his affairs; and, having acquired a competence, he sold out to a Mr. Oatman, and retired from active pursuits some eighteen years prior to his death. Toward the close of his life he was stricken with slow, or creeping, paralysis, which rendered him almost entirely helpless, requiring the most constant and tender care at the hands of his devoted wife, Amelia Knight Weirs, by whom he is survived. His first wife, whose maiden name was Ruba S. Hale, died on February 20, 1878, at fifty-four years of age, leaving no children. Mr. Weirs was a firm believer in Republican principles, but never sought or held office. He was a member of no social or religious body, al- though a constant attendant of the Congrega- tional church.
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