USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Bristol > Bristol, Connecticut : "in the olden time New Cambridge", which includes Forestville > Part 38
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FILBERT LEANDER WRIGHT.
Filbert Leander Wright was born in Southington, November 18, 1816. When a small boy he rode horse on the tow path of the raging canal, to New Haven. He was the son of Harvey Wright, who was a descendant of James Wright, of Milford, of English ancestry, whose son Joseph was born in Durham, November 1, 1713; his son Joseph, Jr., was also born in Durham, May 6, 1744, whose son Harvey, was one of the pioneers of clock making in Bristol. He married Esther Crissey, descendant in the sixth generation, from Rev. John Davenport, founder of the Colony of New Haven, Harvey Wright was a manufacturer of the olden-time wooden clock movements, the few tools at his command consisting of a good jack-knife, a file, a foot-lathe, and possibly a fiddle- bow drill; occupying a little shop which stood on the river bank near
the present Main Street bridge. Competition reduced the price of clocks to that extent that he abandoned the enterprise and moved his shop farther down the river, where it became the property of the Codling Manufacturing Co., now in the possession of the Sessions Co. There he carried on a wood-turning business for several years. The same pond is still there, and the willows on the south embankment were whips which Filbert Leander Wright picked and planted there in sport.
Filbert Leander Wright was married to Sabrina H. Merrill, of Nepaug, December 31, 1849. They had three children: Frank Merrill, born July 30, 1854, died November 12, 18SS; Florence Esther (Mrs. W. E. Fogg), and Wilbur L., both of whom are now living. Mr. Wright was instantly killed by a switch engine, near the spot where the depot now stands, October 2, 1886. He was a member of the Congregational church, and a man much esteemed and respected by his fellow townsmen. For twenty-seven years he followed the profession of dentistry, most of the time in partnership with Dr. Wales A. Candee .. He was for many years a clock-maker, and the designer of many improvements in machin- ery for manufacturing brass clocks.
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SAMUEL AUGUSTUS MITCHELL.
Was the youngest son of William Mitchell, the first of the name in Bristol. He was possessed of literary as well as of business talents, and turned his attention to publishing, "The British Poets" being one of his productions. He also issued a line of texts book for common schools which were far in advance of any previous works of that kind, his Atlases and Geographies becoming standard works. He was born in Bristol, March 20, 1792, and died in 1868. He was located in Philadelphia where he conducted his extensive publishing business.
WARREN IVES BRADLEY.
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Better known by his literary name of "Glance Gaylord," was cut off at the threshold of a brilliant literary career by consumption, at the early age of twenty-one years. He was born in Forestville, March 20, 1847, and died there in 1868, on the 15th of June. His mother was a daughter of Elisha Manross, a sister of Prof. Newton Manross, and he therefore came of a talented family. Of a retiring disposition, yet possessed of a brilliant imagination, he produced books for Sunday school reading in rapid succession, having published fifteen up to the time of his death. They were all stories for boys, of a high, moral tone, and were highly esteemed by youthful readers.
LAPORTE HUBBELL.
Was the son of William and Julia Hubbell, who lived near the Downs' place, East Bristol, and at twelve years of age commenced his life work as a clock-maker. In 1848 he became associated with Rodney Barnes and others in the manufacture of marine clocks, which business he conducted until near the close of his active life, when he was compelled to retire from business because of ill health. He died at his home in Forestville, September 4, 1889, aged 64 years and 9 months.
JULIUS R. MITCHELL.
Born January 8, 1821, was perhaps more widely known as merchant, politician, and citizen, and faithful adherent of the Baptist faith, than any other man in Bristol. Inheriting from his father, Hon. George Mitchell, superior business talents, he was identified throughout his lifetime with the mercantile and manufacturing interest's of his native town. During the last few years of his life he suffered ill health, and passed away on the 19th of February, 1899. He thrice represented the town in the General Assembly, and the district in the Senate.
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JULIUS R. MITCHELL.
HENRY WARD.
Was a native of Cornwall, England, where he was born April 29, 1834. He came to Bristol with his father's family, where he worked as a miner in the copper mine. He also lived in Pennsylvania, and was a gold miner in California. His last years were spent in Bristol, as a mer- chant, in company with Gilbert Penfield and A. H. West. He was also in the grocery business. He was married in 1869 to Estelle, daughter of Capt. Alvia Wooding, who, with three children, survive him. He died November 16, 1882.
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NEWTON SPALDING MANROSS.
Son of Capt. Elisha Manross, was born in Bristol, June 20, 1825. Of a studious and scientific turn of mind he was given good educational advantages, graduated at Yale in 1850, studied in Germany, and re- ceived the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. He became a Professor of Chemistry and Botany at Amherst. He also visited Mexico and Central America and conducted explorations there. When the war broke out he commanded Company K, Sixteenth Regiment raised in Bristol, and was killed at Antietam, the first action in which his regiment par- ticipated, in 1862. He was married to Charlotte Royce, of Bristol, in 1857. One daughter resides in Orange, Mass.
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JAMES HANNA.
Born in north of Ireland in 1848. Came to the United States at six years of age, and settled in Hebron, Conn. He was on the police force of New York, and in the street car service during the war. Shortly after the war he came to Bristol, and conducted the harness business until about five years before his death. He organized the Hook and Ladder Company in 1872, and was foreman a number of years taking great interest in the department, and was Chief Engineer. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, and married Mary Fieft, of Terryville, in 1878, who survives him. Mr. Hanna was the first member initiated into Ethan Lodge, K. of P. He was a charter member of the I. O. R. M., and be- longed to the Veteran Fireman's Association of Hartford.
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WALLACE BARNES.
Oldest son of Alphonso Barnes, was born December 25, 1827. He married Eliza Fuller, in 1849, and lived in Winsted a few years, where he was engaged in the drug business. In 1857 he engaged in the spring business which has been continuously conducted ever since at the same plant on Main street. One of the most active men in Bristol, he was constantly engaged in real estate and other enterprises. Two of his five children survive him-Carlyle F. Barnes, who now conducts the extensive business founded by his father, and Mrs. Wyllys C. Ladd. He died March 28, 1893.
SAMUEL EMERSON ROOT.
Was a native of New York, born in Broadalbin, Fulton County, October 12, 1820, of Connecticut ancestry. He was a nephew of Chaun- cey Ives, of Bristol, and at an early age he came to Bristol, and in part- nership with Edward Langdon built the factory which so long stood upon the corner of Main and School streets. His specialty was clock dials, and other clock trimmings. His son-in-law, Edward E. Newell, continued the business until recently, after the death of Mr. Root, which occurred fon April 7, 1896. Another daughter, became the wife of Judge Roger S. Newell.
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SAMUEL E. ROOT.
JOEL H. ROOT.
A brother of the late S. E. Root, was also born in Broadalbin, [near Saratoga, N. Y., December 5, 1822. He came to Bristol, when five years of age, and made it his home during the remainder of his life, which terminateff after a long period of suffering, on April 11, 51885. In 1867 he bought what is known as Root's island, and built asmall
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factory there, where he manufactured clock trimmings, and where the business is still conducted by his son Charles J. Root. His wife, Catherine Roberts, was a granddaughter of Gideon Roberts, the pioneer American clock-maker.
LEONARD ANDREWS NORTON.
Was a life-long resident of Bristol, first seeing the light on August 9, 1813, at the Burton Allen place, on the Fall Mountain road. When a year old he moved to the old homestead on Peck lane, where he spent the remainder of his long life. He was by occupation a farmer and basket-maker. He was well informed concerning the early history of the town, was a self-educated man, botany being his favorite study, in which he was remarkably proficient. He died July 16, 1895. His widow and two sons, Milo L., and Manilus H., survive him. In 1897 the homestead was sold and is now occupied by W. H. Miller, formerly editor of the Bristol Press, and is known as "Fallmont."
COL. EDWARD L. DUNBAR.
Was a Scotch descent, and was for many years a prominent busi- ness man in Bristol. He was born in 1815, married Julia Warner, of Farmington, in 1840, and settled in Bristol. He became a manufacturer of clock springs, and was associated with Wallace Barnes during the period when hoop-skirts were worn, in the manufacture of crinoline. What is now the old Town Hall was erected by this firm for a wood-shed, and was called Crinoline hall. He represented the town in the Legis- lature in 1862, and was always keenly interested in the affairs of the town. He died in 1872.
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COL. E. L. DUNBAR.
WILLIAM DAY.
Was born in Lanesboro, Mass., March 28, 1809. He learned the cabinet business in Pittsfield, and came to Plymouth Hollow where he worked on clock cases for Seth Thomas. He came to Bristol in 1841, and was employed in case-making until his retirement owing to ill health in 1880. He was chosen a deacon in the Congregational Church in 1855, and continued in that office until 1888. He married Emeline C. Hitchcock, of Southington, in 1836. He had two daughters, who survive him. He died November 14, 1899.
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. ....
CHARLES CHURCHILL.
CHARLES CHURCHILL, JR.
CHARLES CHURCHILL.
Was born in New Hartford, May 25, 1822, and died in Bristol, November 16, 1891, where he had been a resident for about fifty years. He married Miss Alice Celestia Phillips of Middletown, May 3, 1843. He was an active business man and was universally esteemed as an honor- able and upright citizen, while his genial ways and fair dealings won for him many friends. For many years he was engaged in the coal and lumber business and many houses in town were built by him at that time. Afterwards he carried on the hay and produce business until the time of his death. He was for many years a Mason, a member of the Congregational Church, and a charter member of the Bristol grange. Mr. Churchill's only son, who lived to manhood, enlisted at the time of the Civil War and died in a rebel prison at the age of twenty years.
CHARLES CHURCHILL, JR.
Charles Churchill, Jr., was born August 27, 1844. He attended the Third District school, and when about eighteen years of age enlisted in Company K, 16th Regiment., Connecticut Volunteers. He died in a rebel prison at Florence, S. C., November 3, 1864.
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NOAH POMEROY.
Was born in Somers, December 20, 1819. About 1840 he came to Bristol, and worked at clock-making. In 1849 he bought the shop formerly owned by Chauncey Ives, where he made clock movements until 1878, when he sold out to Hiram C. Thompson, the present prin- cipal owner. Since 1865 he resided in Hartford. He died while at San Francisco, California, June 9, 1896.
CHARLES E. NOTT.
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Charles E. Nott was born in Bristol, August 17, 1845, where he attended the common schools until twelve years of age and then clerked for his father until the latter disposed of his store. He did no active business other than that of taking care of his real estate. He was married June 25th, 1884, to Miss Harriet J. Stoneburner, who was born in Pitts- ford, New York, July 5, 1850, but at the time of marriage was a resident of Brighton, New York, with her parents, John and Almira (McMinders) Stoneburner. Mr. Nott was a member of the Congregational Church. He died April 20, 1900.
JESSE GAYLORD.
Was born in Bristol, March 17, 1833, at the old Gaylord home- stead on Fall Mountain, where he lived during the early years of his life, following the occupation of a farmer and wood dealer. He re- moved to Bristol, purchasing the old Welch homestead on West street in 1870, continuing the sale of wood, and was the first to introduce the sale of baled hay in Bristol. He was also the first to introduce street sprinkling. He was married to Julia E. Williams in 1862. She died in 1902. He had four children: Frank M., Mrs. W. G. Plumb, of Springfield, Mass., Mrs. W. H. Merritt, and Miss Emma L. Gaylord. He died July 15, 1880.
ELIJAH DARROW.
Was born in Plymouth, in 1800, and eame to Bristol in early life. He was an enterprising business man, and one who commanded the universal respect of his townsmen. In company with Chauncey Jerome he was one of the first to manufacture brass elocks. After the dissolu- tion of his partnership with Jerome, he conducted the business of clock- tablet making, from a process of his own, and other enterprises. He was chosen a deaeon in the Congregational Church in 1855, which office he held at the time of his death, which occurred January 15, 1857.
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ELIJAH DARROW.
FRANKLIN ELIJAH DARROW.
Was born in Bristol, at the Darrow homestead on South street, July 18, 1834. He was educated in the public schools, and succeeded to the business of the manufacture of clock tablets, carried on by his
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father, which he finally sold to the Ingrahams. He was married May 17, 1860 to Miss Amelia Whiting of Canton Centre. He organized the Darrow Manufacturing Company, for the manufacture of rawhide doll heads, and other goods, which did a thriving business for a number of years. After his connection with this business was severed he resided for three years at Rockport and Lynn, Mass., where he was superintend- ent in a factory. After his return to Bristol he became the chairman of the School Committee of District No. 3, which position he held with much credit for efficiency, until his death, January 8, 1882. He was also the first President of the noted society of B. B's.
EVITS HUNGERFORD.
Born in the town of Bristol, Conn., October 20, 1777, and was a life- long farmer in that locality. He was also a blacksmith and worked at his trade for years. In politics he was an ardent Democrat, in re- ligious faith a consistent Methodist and the first piece of timber for building the old Methodist Church was taken from his land. He was a charter member of the Franklin Lodge, F. & A. M. On September 23, 1810, he married Annah Peck of Burlington, Conn., who was born September 14, 1789. Children as follows were born to them: Leander G., William Ellis, Rev. Chas. Lyman (he died in 1845 in Brooklyn where he was a Methodist preacher), Louisa Amy and Caroline Sally. The father died September 17, 1867; the mother June 20, 1881.
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
HAVILAH THOMPSON COOK.
His early life was spent in Albany, N. Y., but resided in Bristol the greater part of his life. He conducted a large business as a shoe- maker and shoe-dealer at the North Side, while that was the center of the town, but followed the tide of population to the South Side where hellocated in Seymour's block. He was married to Sophia Crampton, of Cheshire, in 1835. He was an early and outspoken abolitionist, a radical temperance man. strictly honest and fearless in every line of duty. His son, Henry B., succeeds him in the same line of business. He had three daughters, Ellen, Ann Maria, and Ellen Maria. He died June 24, 1869.
GILBERT PENFIELD.
Born in Portland, in 1823; died at Bristol, in 1896. Nearly the whole of his life was spent in Connecticut, mostly in Bristol, where he was in business with his son-in-law, A. H. West, for twenty-two years, selling sewing machines, and later conducting a store for the sale of art goods, and many other articles. Many of those who see this book will recall the vision of the old wagon with its sewing machine, and the face of the merchant, who probably visited every house in the town and the near-by villages. Of a jovial, genial disposition he won many friends.
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GILBERT PENFIELD.
CHARLES ANDREW STEELE.
Was born in West Hartford, October 19, 1814. Was a resident of Bristol for many years, serving the town in the capacity of Select-
ยท
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man, and the county as Deputy Sheriff. He was for many years station agent at Plainville, and afterward in Bristol, where he was retired by the railroad company because of advancing years. At one time he was Superintendent of the Bristol Manufacturing Company. He was an active member of the Methodist Church for many years, and was a very efficient and faithful man in the many responsible positions which he was called upon to fill. He died February 24, 1893.
DAVID SYLVESTER MILLER.
Was born in Torrington, July 27, 1823. Died in Bristol, February 26, 1895. He resided in Bristol from 1845 to 1856, the greater part! of the time in what was then called Polkville. Returned to Bristol again in 1879, and resided here until his death in 1895. For years was the head book-keeper for J. H. Sessions & Son, retiring some time before his death.
JOHN HOUSE ADAMS.
Was born in Andover, December 5, 1812. He learned the trade of bookbinding in Hartford, in early life. He was married to Mary Noyes, of New London, in 1836, by whom he had three children, tw( of whom survive him-William H., and Mrs. Sarah M. Potter. H. worked at his trade in New York for several years, came to Bristc in 1841, and was employed by Brewster & Ingraham, until 1851. H worked ten years for H. A. Pond, at candlestick making in the nort. part of the spoon shop on Main street, and in 1861 commenced wor. for S. E. Root, where he remained until he was compelled to retire b reason of old age. He died February 19, 1900. He was a member c the Congregational denomination for sixty years.
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JOHN H, ADAMS.
WILLIAM GIBB.
Very few men left such a host of devoted friends, embracing the entire community, as did Rev. William Gibb, pastor of the Advent Society, who died in the morning of his life and usefulness, in Callander, Scotland, July 20, 1897, where he had repaired, with his devoted wife
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of a year, for the benefit of his failing health. He was a native of Glas- gow, came to this country in 1893, and became a preacher of the Advent denomination, conducting evangelical services in Southington. His ordination took place in 1895, as pastor of the Bristol Church. He married Millie Arms, of Bristol, June 30, 1896. To such a sweet devoted, spirit as his these lines of Moore will apply:
"You may break, you may shatter the vase if you will,
But the scent of the roses will hang round it still."
JOSEPH SIGOURNEY.
Joseph Sigourney came to Bristol in 1845, and worked in the South Side knitting mill. Not long before the war he purchased a small fruit and confectionary store that stood near where Merrick's grocery store now stands, which he moved to the location now occupied by the New York clothing store on Main street, where he did a large and very success- ful business, using one store as a jewelry and variety store and the other for the fruit and confectionary business. He made a host of friends and was respected by all. He was a prominent member of the Methodist church. He married Miss Sibyl Dawson and had two sons. He retired from active business in 1881 and died June 17, 1887, aged 66.
JOHN H. SUTLIFFE.
Was born in Plymouth, October 4, 1810. In 1832 he married Harriet Warner, of Farmington, and to them were born three daughters, Mrs. Thomas Barnes, Mrs. Julia Barber of Indianapolis, Ind., and Mrs. Harriet Russell. He came to Bristol soon after his marriage, working for many years for the Atkins Clock Co., and later for the Welch-Spring Co., retiring a few years before his death, which occurred March 24, 1884. He was a man of sterling character, and a member of the Baptist Church for many years.
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JOHN H. SUTLIFFE.
ANSON LUCIUS ATWOOD.
Mr. Anson L. Atwood, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of the town, has been for the greater part of his long life associated with the chief industry of Bristol, the clock making business.
He was born at Norfolk, Conn., June 12, 1816, and came to Bristol as a young man, in the fall of 1838. He began work with the clock firm of Birge & Mallory, which occupied the shop now known as the Saw- factory of M. D. Edgerton. These were the days of contracts or jobs.
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Mr. Atwood took the job of turning parts of clock cases for Birge & Mallory, and when this was completed, continued in the same shop a short time longer, turning brass for clock movements.
In April, 1839, he engaged to work for Elisha Brewster at his clock shop on Race street, known in later years as the "Elias Burwell Shop." Not long after this Mr. Brewster became associated with Shaylor Ives in the manufacture of spring clock movements,-said to be the first made in this country.
Mr. Atwood continued with Brewster & Ives and except for a brief interval, with the succeeding firm of Brewster & Ingraham (formed in 1843), for several years. In 1845 he contracted with, the latter com- pany for the manufacture of their one-day clock movements. For this business he fitted up the factory known as "The Blue Shop,"- still standing near the bridge on North street. To this factory later,- during 1847,-the remainder of the clock movement business of this firm was removed. In April of this year, Mr. Atwood sold the house he had owned for several years on Federal street to Wm. E. Day and purchased a farm in Stafford District, thinking farm life would better suit his health. But during the years on the farm he was many times persuaded to take up his previous occupation. In the spring of 1848, he contracted with Brewster & Ingraham for the manufacture of all of their clock movements for the year (the last of their partnership), and a little later made a similar contract with Elisha Brewster, who continued the business for many years.
Mr. Atwood was next superintendent for a time of the clock shop of Captain Elisha Manross, at Forestville, which stood where the engine house now stands, and later for Manross Brothers, then occupying the factory known of late years as "The Bit Shop." He also manufac- tured movements for Elisha Brewster during the latter part of this stay on the farm.
Mr. Atwood returned to town in the spring of 1865, to start the clock movement business for E. Ingraham & Co. They purchased a building known as the "Hardware Shop" (where curry-combs and tin candlesticks had been made), which stood on the corner of North Main and Meadow streets, and removed it to a location just north of their present factory buildings.
Mr. Atwood fitted this factory with the necessary machinery for the manufacture of clock movements, and continued with E. Ingraham & Company as superintendent for twenty-two years, retiring in August 1887, at the age of seventy-one. This was made the occasion of a visit from the employees of the firm who presented him with a handsome gold headed cane as a token of their esteem and goodwill.
Mr. Atwood married Eliza Ann Hooker, daughter of George Hooker, who for a time just previous to this, 1840, manufactured stocks (neck- wear) at the North Side. Their family of children consisted of one son and three daughters.
Mr. and Mrs. Atwood celebrated their golden wedding, November 18, 1890. Mrs. Atwood's death occurred April 1, 1902, and that of the son, who was a resident of Hartford, three years later. The daugh- ters reside with their father at the home on Summer street. This house, built by Mr. Atwood in 1871, was the first house erected in all that por- tion of the borough included in Summer street and vicinity.
Although deeply interested in all questions of public welfare, Mr. Atwood has never cared to hold office. His chief interest, apart from business and family life, has centered in the Congregational church, of which he has been for sixty-six years an active member and up to the present time a constant attendant.
Mr. Atwood's ninetieth birthday was most happily marked by the presentation by his near neighbors and friends, of a beautiful silver loving cup, suitably engraved, accompanied by a handsomely engraved testimonial bearing tribute to "his high Christian character" and "to the power for good in the community of his long life of true and stead- fast honor, uprightness and integrity." He died August 25, 1907.
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