USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Litchfield County, Connecticut > Part 71
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Railroad Company, being stationed for a while at
Bridgeport, Conn. In 1868 he took up book-keeping, working in a grocery store at Bridgeport till 1874, when he came to Win- sted, and engaged in insurance. Here he was the first to make use of the opposition tele- phone, introducing it in February, 1894, about a week after the Bell patent died. In both branches of his business, telephone and insur- ance, he keeps four men constantly employed. The insurance covers fire, life, and accident policies, and was firmly established when Mr. Hunt succeeded to it, having been started in 1854. It is the oldest insurance company in this part of Connecticut.
Mr. Hunt married Eliza L., only daughter of Albert N. and Sarah A. (Trafford) Beach. Mrs. Hunt's father was a dealer in stoves and. tinware, and was Mr. Hunt's predecessor in the insurance business, taking him as associate when he first came to Winsted. Mr. Beach was a prominent man in the county, and for some years was deputy sheriff. He died on April 1, 1886, at the age of sixty-eight, leav- ing a fine property to his widow and child. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have a son and daughter: Henry, a young man of nineteen, in the elec- tric business with his father; and Sarah Beach Hunt, two years younger, a member of the class of 1895 in the Winsted High School.
Mr. Hunt is a Republican in politics, and was in the legislature in 1893. Five years ago the town was Democratic, but for the past four years it has been Republican; and for four years Mr. Hunt has been chairman of the Republican Town Committee.
W. GRISWOLD, M.D., a practising physician of Kent, Litchfield County, was born in Worcester, Mass., Au- gust 12, 1853, son of Ralph and Catharine E.
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Griswold. . His father was formerly a wool merchant in Massachusetts, and is now living with his son, Dr. Hamilton Griswold, in New Milford. Mrs. Ralph Griswold died at the age of forty-nine, leaving three children, namely : Hamilton; A. W., whose name ap- pears at the head of this article; and Nellie Allen Griswold. Dr. A. W. Griswold re- ceived his preliminary education in Newton, Mass., and his medical training at the Ver- mont University in Burlington. In 1887 he began the practice of medicine in Bridgeton, Me., remaining there until 1890. He then moved to Gaylordsville, Conn. ; but after a four years' residence there he came to Kent, where he now has an extensive and lucrative practice. He is a member of St. Luke's Lodge, No. 48, A. F. & A. M., also of the Royal Arcanum and Eastern Star, of which latter organization he is at present the Secre- tary. His wife, to whom he was married on April 18, 1878, was by maiden name Rose Day. She is a daughter of William Day, of Windsor, Conn. Dr. and Mrs. Griswold are the parents of four children - May, Ralph, Seneca, and Harry.
A® BEL TURRILL, a successful farmer and sterling citizen of Kent, was born in that town, son of Harvey and Phebe (Hallock) Turrill. His great-grand- father, Abel Turrill, was the first ancestor of the family to settle in Kent. Abel, second, Mr. Turrill's grandfather, was an industrious and worthy farmer, and a lifelong resident of Kent. He married Tilly Owens, and they reared two children, namely: Harvey, father of our subject ; and Fanny, who became Mrs. Judd. Abel Turrill, second, died at the age of eighty-six years, and his wife at the age of seventy-six.
Harvey Turrill was born at the homestead in Kent. He succeeded to the ownership of the property, and was successfully engaged in farming until his death, which took place when he was sixty-six years old. His wife, Phebe Hallock, by maiden name, was a daugh- ter of William Hallock, of New Milford. She became the mother of three children, as follows : Charles M. ; Caroline, who married John Chase, of Kent, and died at the age of twenty-six, leaving four children - Charles, Fred, Gertrude, and Edna; and Abel, the sub- ject of this sketch. Mrs. Harvey Turrill lived to the age of eighty years.
Abel Turrill passed his boyhood and youth at the old homestead, acquiring his education in the schools of his native town. He adopted agriculture as an occupation, and in 1858 set- tled upon his present farm, which he has since conducted with good judgment, having realized through his efforts a fair degree of worldly prosperity.
In 1856 Mr. Turrill was united in marriage to Sophia Beardsley, a daughter of Ager Beardsley, of Kent. Mrs. Turrill died in 1891, aged fifty-seven years. Mr. Turrill is a Republican in politics, and inclines toward Congregationalism in his religious views.
B URR MALLETT, a prosperous cattle dealer and extensive land-owner in Bridgewater, Conn., who died on March 28, 1895, was born in this town. Feb. ruary 28, 1834. He was a son of Marcus B. and Sarah (Keeler) Mallett, and grandson of Daniel and Eunice B. Mallett.
Marcus B. Mallett was born in Trumbull in 1809, and in that town received a good district school education. He learned the carpenter's trade, and, when he was twenty two years of age, had saved eight hundred dollars, which he
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expended as the first payment on a farm. He subsequently bought other farms, and, remod- elling the buildings and improving the land, sold them at an advantage. An upright busi- ness man, industrious and thrifty, he won uni- versal respect, and prospered increasingly as the years passed. He and his wife reared three children : Sarah E., who married Arza Morris; Burr; and Alvira, who married Levi Warner.
Burr Mallett received his early education in the district schools, and finished his course of study in the State Normal School at New Bri- tain, Hartford County. When quite a young man, he purchased the B. Randall farm, to which he subsequently added by purchase, also erecting new buildings and making many changes for the better in the estate. He dealt extensively in cattle, buying in the North and West, and driving and shipping to Eastern markets, success waiting on all his efforts; and in the mean time he purchased more acres, until he became one of the largest landed pro- prietors in the county. Mr. Mallett was widely esteemed as an honest as well as suc- cessful business man, his word being as good as a bond in all cases. In politics a Demo- crat, he represented the district in the legisla- ture one term, and held many other elective offices.
Mr. Mallett and Emilia C. Boland, a native of Bethel, Fairfield County, Conn., daughter of Frederick and Jacinthia J. (Randall) Bo- land, the former a native of Sharon, were united in marriage on January 1, 1860. They became the parents of four children, namely : Mary E., born November 8, 1861, wife of Charles N. Hatch ; Marcus B., born Novem- ber 16, 1865, residing with his mother at the homestead; Montville H., born October 6, 1867, a member of the firm of Mallett & Hatch, merchants in Bridgewater; and Sarah
J., born July 11, 1874, wife of Dr. George E. Staub. Mrs. Mallett is a communicant of the Episcopal church.
G EORGE E. STAUB, M.D., of New Milford, is enjoying a very success- ful professional career, although he is still a young man. He is a son of the Hon. Nicholas and Mary J. (Peck) Staub and a grandson of Nicholas and Gracia (Fischter) Staub.
Nicholas Staub, Sr., was born near Stras- burg, Germany. For many years he was en- gaged in military service, but spent the latter part of his life on a farm, where he died when but forty-five years old. His wife, Gracia Fischter, lived to the age of threescore years and ten. By the father's death, Nicholas Staub, the younger, was obliged at an early age to earn his own livelihood; and, when but six- teen years old, he started for America alone. After landing in New York and during his brief stay in that city, he was so unfortunate as to be robbed of seven dollars, all the money he had in his possession. He afterward drifted into Pennsylvania, where he secured work in the coal mines and foundries, and remained there until he had saved a little money. He then came to New Milford, and during the succeeding seven years worked for farmers, receiving at first ten dollars per month. After his marriage, about thirty years ago, he pur- chased a portion of his father-in-law's farm, and later on bought the entire farm of two hundred acres, which is just over the line in the town of Bridgewater and two and a half miles from the nearest village. He made a specialty of the production of tobacco, and erected commodious barns for the drying and curing of that product. His land was kept in a high state of cultivation; and his cattle and
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horses, in particular, were among the best in that vicinity. In 1873 he left that place, and moved into his present fine residence on West Street, which he purchased of L. Hill. Here he continued to deal in tobacco to quite an ex- tent until 1885, when he became interested in the hardware trade, and in company with D. E. Soule did a large business at the corner of Main and Church Streets until 1894, then selling his interest to his son, Verton P. Staub.
Mr. Nicholas Staub is one of the leading Democrats of the town. In 1876, 1884, and 1885 he was a Representative in the State leg- islature, and in 1887 and 1888 a member of the Senate, being a faithful attendant upon all the business sessions of that body. In 1876 he served on the Committee on Banks, in 1884 he was a member of the Insurance Committee, and in 1886 he was one of the Committee on Railroads. At the State Democratic Conven- tion, held on September 16, 1890, Mr. Staub was nominated for the Comptrollership; and he was elected by one of the largest majorities ever given a candidate for that office. His wife, Mary J. Peck, to whom he was married on November 29, 1866, is a daughter of John and Sarah (Edwards) Peck. They have three sons, as follows : Verton P., born October 28, 1867, who married Miss Winona Pow, and is one of the leading hardvere merchants of New Milford; George E., born November 20, 1869; and Howard J., born September 24, 1875, who is still at home.
George E. Staub, having received his early education in the public schools of New Mil- ford, took up the study of medicine at the Long Island College Hospital and Medical School of Brooklyn, N. Y., from which he graduated in 1893. He then served a year in the hospital connected with that college, and in 1894 opened an office in his father's house
in New Milford. He has already gained a large and successful practice, being recognized as a skilful physician and highly esteemed by all who know him. On October 17, 1895, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Mallett, daughter of Burr and Amelia (Bo- land) Mallett. The Doctor is a Democrat in his political affiliations, and is prompt in the execution of his duties as a citizen. He and his wife stand high in the social circles of the town.
OHN CATLIN, the owner of a fine farm near the centre of the town of Corn- wall, was born at North Cornwall on November 10, 1819, son of Joel and Lydia (Blinn) Catlin. Bradley Catlin, grandfather of John, spent the larger part of his life in North Cornwall, where he successfully carried on the manufacture of hats. He was the father of six children, four sons and two daughters; namely, Joel, Benjamin, Amos, Samuel, Abigail, and Hannah.
Joel Catlin, who was a native of Cornwall, as soon as he was old enough assisted his father in hat-making, and continued engaged in this manner until his marriage. He then went to the State of New York, but fifteen years later returned to Cornwall, where he died at the age of seventy-two years. Ilis wife, Lydia Blinn, lived to be seventy five years old. They were the parents of four sons; namely, Bradley, Lewis, John, and Amos.
John Catlin received a good education by attending the common schools and subse quently a select school. For over forty years he was successfully engaged in teaching. At an early age he learned the trade of a carpen- ter, and between the sessions of school en gaged in that business. Later on he took possession of his present farm, containing
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thirty acres, which is located near the centre of the town. On June 1, 1846, he was joined in marriage with Miss Clarissa A. Martin, who has since died. A son and daughter were born of their union, namely : Samuel B., who married Lettie Parsons, and has one daughter, Cora B. ; and Olive M. In November, 1887, Mr. Catlin formed a second union with Mrs. Elizabeth (Harris) Abels. They are influen- tial members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Cornwall Centre.
LBERT J. TROWBRIDGE, formerly a well-known farmer and a highly es- teemed resident of Roxbury, was born in that town, August 14, 1844, son of Charles S. and Elizabeth (Clark ) Trowbridge, the former of whom was a prosperous farmer of Roxbury. Mr. Trowbridge's youth was passed upon his father's farm, where he ac- quired familiarity with agricultural opera- tions. He received his education in the dis- trict schools. When a young man, he bought the Burritt place, a farm of one hundred and four acres, situated upon the flats bordering upon the Shepaug River, adding to it later by purchasing some adjoining woodland. He im- proved the land to a high state of fertility, enlarged and remodelled the residence and other buildings, thereby greatly enhancing the value of the farm. He engaged in tobacco growing and dairying, raising a large quantity of the former product, and keeping a herd of fifteen cows, the milk of which he shipped to New York. He was one of the leading farmers of Roxbury, ambitious, progressive, and successful; but his life was brought to a close at a time when he was the most useful to himself, his family, and to his fellow-men. He died in 1889, at the age of forty-five years. He was a Democrat in politics. He always
took an active interest in local questions, and at the time of his death he was rendering val- uable service to the town as a member of the Board of Selectmen. In his religious views he was a Congregationalist, and had been an attendant at that church for several years.
On June 2, 1874, Mr. Trowbridge was united in marriage to Sarah E. Garlick, daughter of Edmund E. and Elizabeth A. (Hawley) Garlick, the former of whom was a successful farmer and prominent business man of Roxbury. Mrs. Trowbridge's grandfather, Edmund Garlick, who was a tailor by trade, moved from New Milford to Roxbury in 1807, and followed his occupation in that town for the rest of his life. He married Sarah Camp; and his son, Edmund E., Mrs. Trowbridge's father, was born in New Milford in 1806 ... Edmund E. Garlick learned his father's trade, which he followed for some years, and later bought a small farm, located south of Roxbury Centre. He drove the stage, and carried the mail from Roxbury to New Milford for several years. After relinquishing that employment, he engaged as a travelling salesman, selling cloth and yarn successfully for some eight years, at the expiration of which time he re- tired from active business. He died at the age of eighty years. His wife, whom he mar- ried February 21, 1831, was born July 21, 1813, daughter of Isaac B. and Elizabeth (Warner) Hawley. Isaac B. Hawley, a pros- perous farmer, lived to the age of seventy- three, while his wife attained the age of eighty-four years. Mrs. Edmund E. Garlick became the mother of six children, as follows: Sarah E., who died young; Earl H .; George; Henry E .; Sarah E., second, who is now Mrs. Trowbridge; and Charles B. The mother still survives, and is very bright and active for one of her years.
Mrs. Trowbridge has three children,
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namely: Henry W., who was born April 5, 1876; Charles A., who was born April 26, 1878; and Clarence E., who was born June 13, 1882. She possesses many commendable traits of character, which endear her to a large circle of friends and have won the esteem of less intimate acquaintances.
DGAR FROST KNAPP, a member of the firm of Smith, Twitchell & Knapp, dealers in furniture, with a beautiful store located near the railway station on Water Street, Torrington, is a native of New York City, born May 8, 1868. His father, Charles E. Knapp, was the eldest of a family of six sons born to his parents.
Edgar Frost Knapp spent his early years in Torrington, coming here at first for his health. He began his mercantile life as a clerk for W. S. Lewis. This position he retained nine years, proving a most faithful and trustworthy employee, and there gaining the practical ex- perience to which he is chiefly indebted for his present prosperity. He and his partners com- menced business in 1894, opening at 133-137 Water Street. The store, which was erected by the firm, is ninety-five feet front by thirty- five feet depth and four stories high, is de- voted exclusively to furniture and carpets. Mr. Knapp is the buyer for the firm; and in this capacity he displays marked ability and taste, purchasing the latest and most unique styles of furniture and house-furnishing goods to be found in the New York or Boston markets. He is a man of great energy and enterprise, an indefatigable worker, and keenly watchful of the firm's interests. Although this firm is yet young in business, it has made wonderful strides, and bids fair to overtake, if not to outstrip, all its competitors, and be- come one of the leading mercantile houses of
the State. With commendable foresight and the expectation of enlarging its business in the near future, it has purchased the real es- tate surrounding its fine block, one of the most valuable pieces of property in the vicinity.
Mr. Knapp was united in marriage in 1892 with Miss Mildred Northrup, and both he and his young wife are popular members of so- ciety. He is a regular attendant of the Methodist Episcopal church, is at present one of its Trustees, and was formerly connected with its Sunday-school.
EREMIAH G. RANDALL, a retired contractor and builder of Bridgewater, was born in this town, August 22, 1815. He is a son of Jonathan J. and Abigail (Gorham) Randall, and is of the fourth gener- ation in direct descent from Jeremiah Randall, who emigrated from England in company with his brothers, the latter settling upon Randall Island, N. Y.
Jeremiah, the first, lived for a time in Greenwich, Conn., but later bought land in Bridgewater, and took up his residence here on June 19, 1778. His children were: Jere- miah J., Timothy, Charles, and Richard. Jeremiah J. Randall, who was the next in line, settled in Centre District, where he be- came a successful farmer and land-owner. He died in 1808, aged fifty-three years. He mar- ried Anna Jessup, and reared five children, namely : Sally; Anna; Polly: Nathaniel : and Jonathan J., who is mentioned above.
Jonathan J. Randall learned much of farm- ing, both by observation and experience, in his boyhood at home, but at an early age engaged in contracting and building. Being energetic and progressive, he advanced rapidly in pros- perity, and in time became the owner of a large farm, which he cultivated with success
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until his death in 1881, at the age of eighty- nine years. He was a Democrat in politics, and an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, Abigail Gorham, lived to the age of ninety-eight years, being the mother of eight children, namely: Jeremiah G., the subject of this sketch; Phineas B .; Rachel G., who died young; Sally; William W .; Rachel S .; Charles B. ; and Edward.
Jeremiah G. Randall received his education in the district schools of Bridgewater, and at the age of fifteen was apprenticed to a carpen- ter for the purpose of learning the trade. He became an expert workman, later commencing business as a contractor and builder, and for many years was the leading master-builder in his locality. During the long period of his activity he erected many of the best and most substantial residences in Bridgewater and the adjoining towns, ever maintaining a high rep- utation for the skill and fidelity with which his work was executed. He purchased and settled upon the C. French homestead of two acres, the residence being one which he had himself erected; and he later bought one hun- dred and twenty-five additional acres of land, thus acquiring a farm of sufficient size for all ordinary purposes. Aside from the pursuit of his regular calling, he has carried on profit- ably general farming, and has dealt exten- sively in cattle.
In politics Mr. Randall is a supporter of the Democratic party. He has served with ability as a member of the Board of Select- men for one term, also in other town offices; and in 1878, as a representative in the legis- lature, he displayed a commendable zeal and aptitude in forwarding the general interests of his locality.
On January 1, 1839, Mr. Randall was united in marriage with Abigail Mead, daugh- ter of Jabez Mead, and has reared six children,
as follows: Flora, who married George Young, and has one child, named Georgiana; Ellen, who married for her first husband Silas Keeler, and for her second Edward C. Allen; Richard, a hardware merchant of Shelton, who married Laura Wooster; Sarah C., who mar- ried Grant Northrop; John, who married Helen Beach, and has two children - Bruce B. and an infant; and Alice, who married Reu- ben Warner. Mrs. Randall died in 1889, aged seventy years.
Mr. Randall has led a busy and successful life; and, although he has attained his four- score years, he still assists in attending to the lighter duties about the farm, which is now managed by his son, John Randall. He iden- tified himself with the Episcopal church in. early manhood, and has been a Warden for more than forty years.
IRAM W. PECK, a prosperous farmer of New Milford, son of Henry S. and Mary S. (Squires) Peck, was born in Morris, Litchfield County, Conn., September 14, 1863. According to the rec- ords, Joseph Peck, of whom Mr. Peck is a di- rect descendant, settled in New Haven as early as 1643. His son, Joseph, Jr., a resi- dent of Milford, Conn., was the father of Ephraim Peck, who moved from Milford to Newtown, and whose son, Henry Peck, also resided there.
Andrew Peck, Mr. Peck's great-grand- father, was a son of Henry and Hannah Peck, of Newtown. Andrew resided in Newtown until 1813, when he moved to New Milford, and settled in the Bridgewater Society on Second Hill, where he died in 1826. He and his wife, Lucinda Terrell, who died in 1848, aged seventy-three, reared the following chil- dren : Mercy, Sherman, Amy, Gcorge, Sally,
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Minerva, John, and Maria. Sherman Peck, son of Andrew, became a prominent citizen in the town of Bridgewater, serving in many of the important town offices and as a member of the legislature. He married for his first wife Electa Young, who died in 1835, aged twenty- nine, leaving one son; namely, Henry S. By his union with his second wife, who was be- fore marriage Lois Livingston, there were five children: Edgar L., Edwin T., Ann Maria, Frederick C., Ophelia L.
Henry S. Peck, son of Sherman and Electa, was reared to agricultural labors; and, when a young man, he purchased a farm in the town of Morris, where he resided for the remainder of his life. He was a thrifty and industrious farmer, and, making the best of his opportu- nities, acquired a comfortable prosperity. His wife, Mary S. Squires, was born in New Mil- ford, January 29, 1833, daughter of Anson and Barbara Lyon Squires, the former of whom was an extensive and prosperous farmer of the Merryall District. She became the mother of but one son, namely: Hiram W., the subject of this sketch.
Hiram W. Peck grew to manhood in Morris, and was educated in the public schools. He succeeded to the ownership of his present farm, which his mother inherited; and, since reaching the age of twenty-two years, he has resided in New Milford. Of an ambitious and energetic nature, he is necessarily progressive, and by good management has been able to in- crease his estate through the purchasing of ad- joining land, till he now possesses a valuable farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres. He is a successful dairyman, keeping a herd of twelve choice cows; and, although a young man, he has reached a state of substantial prosperity, such as generally requires years of ceaseless toil to accomplish. In politics he is a Democrat.
On April 22, 1893, Mr. Peck was united in marriage with Georgie B. Sharra, daughter of George W. and Rhoda (French) Sharra. He and his wife attend the Congregational church.
ILLIAM H. STUART, who con- ducts a blacksmithing business in Kent, was born in this town, May 13, 1852, and is a descendant of the famous Scottish family whose name he bears. His father's paternal grandparents, Stephen and Elizabeth (Bull) Stuart, were residents of South Kent. Stephen Stuart was a shoe- maker, and followed his trade for the greater part of his life. A sturdy, patriotic citizen, he served in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War; and upon one occasion, being hunted down by the British troops, he was forced to conceal himself in a cave in the neighborhood of his home, his wife furnishing him with food until he could rejoin the army.
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