Commemorative biographical record of Hartford County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Pt 1, Part 101

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1336

USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Commemorative biographical record of Hartford County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Pt 1 > Part 101

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(II) John Stearns, a son of Isaac, was born in Watertown about 1630, and was one of the first settlers of Billerica, Mass. About 1653 he married Sarah Mixer.

(III) Lieut. John Stearns, born in May, 1654, was married in Billerica to Elizabeth Bigelow, who was born June 18, 1657.

(IV) John Stearns, born in Billerica Nov. 26, 1686, was married about 1715 to Esther Johnson,' who was born Jan. 16, 1691, and died April 13, 1786. His death occurred Aug. 2, 1776.

(V) Rev. Josiah Stearns, born in Billerica Jan .. 20, 1731, graduated from Harvard in 1751, and was ordained at Epping, N. H., March 8, 1758, serving

Elmer N. Steams

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

as pastor of the Congregational Church at that place for thirty years. He married Sarah Abbot, who was born Dec. 4, 1726, and died Nov. 5, 1766. He died July 25, 1788.

(VI) John Stearns, born in Epping, N. H., Jan. 13, 1762, was married in 1783 to Sarah Lane, who was born May 16, 1759. He enlisted in the Con- tinental army during the Revolutionary war as a member of the 4th New Hampshire Regiment, and was mustered in at Epping. He served as justice of the peace for many years.

(VII) Josiah Stearns, born in Deerfield, N. H., March 10, 1788, was married Aug. 22, 1811, to Jane Thompson, also a native of Deerfield. He was an early settler of Wilmot, N. H., where he became a prosperous and well-to-do farmer, and was one of the most prominent men of the community in his day.

(VIII) William Stearns, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Wilmot, N. H., Jan. 10, 1816, and was a machinist by trade, being connected with the cotton mills of Manchester, N. H., for some years. He was also an inventor of considerable note, and patented several different articles, one of the most important of his inventions being the shuttle motion for cotton mills, which he put in use in 1850. In politics he was a Republican. He was married Oct. 17, 1845, to Elizabeth Cogswell Goodhue, who was born in Dunbarton, N. H., Sept. 28, 1818, a daugh- ter of Jacob and Margaret ( Wheeler) Goodhue.

(IX) Elmer W. Stearns, whose name introduces this sketch, was educated in the schools of Manches- ter, N. H., and was graduated from the high school of that place in 1877. After leaving school he en- tered the office of Ellis & Patterson, civil engineers, engaged in city work, to learn the business, and dur- ing the two years he remained with them he gained a fair insight into the business. In 1881 he was made rodman in the city engineer's office in Man- chester, and filled that position three or four months. In 1880 the Berlin Iron Bridge Co. built a bridge at Manchester, and he became acquainted with their representative, who offered him a position with the company. Accordingly, on leaving the employ of the city engineer of Manchester, N. H., he came to Berlin, Conn., in April, 1881, and entered the office of the Berlin Iron Bridge Co., as draftsman in the drawing room, where he remained ten years. He then accepted his present responsible position, as assistant to the president of the company, the du- ties of which he has most capably and satisfactorily performed. His energy, perseverance, close appli- cation to business, and fidelity to every trust reposed in him have been the secret of his success, and have won for him the high position which he now fills.

On Oct. 10, 1888, Mr. Stearns married Miss Lu- ella Woods, who was born July 12, 1865, a daughter of Solomon Henry and Grace Ann ( Bradley) Woods, of East Berlin. They have one child, Har- old Goodhue, who was born Oct. 29, 1889, and is now attending Miss Roy's private school in Berlin.

Mr. Stearns joined the Masonic Fraternity at the age of twenty-one years, and is now a Knight Ten- plar Mason, a member of Cyrene Commandery, No. 8, of Middletown, and of Pyramid Temple, of the Mystic Shrine, at Bridgeport. He has always taken an active part in lodge work, and is past master of Washington Lodge, No. 81, F. & A. M., of Crom- well, Conn. He is also a prominent member of Mat- tabessett Lodge, No. 21, K. P., and was keeper of records and seals for six years. Mr. Stearns at- tends and supports the Congregational Church of Berlin, and affiliates with the Republican party. At present he is serving as chairman of the Republican town committee of Berlin, and was a member of the board of school visitors for five or six years. In 1897 Mr. Stearns went to Europe for his health, and spent eight weeks very enjoyably in visiting Paris, Holland, Germany and Belgium, returning home much recuperated.

MARCUS LEWIS STODDARD. The sub- ject of this sketch is one of the prosperous and progressive young farmers of Newington, and has followed the vocation of his forefathers with suc- cess, winning a standing of high character in the community in which he lives. He was born in the old Stoddard ancestral home on Center street, near Newington Junction, July 22, 1854, the only child.of Marcus W. and Frances (Wells) Stoddard. His father was born in March, 1815, and his mother in June, 1817. Allen Stoddard, his grandfather, was born on the same place, and married Mary Wells, daughter of James and Abigail (Gaylord) Wells, pioneers of Connecticut. [The old Stoddard house was moved from its original site on the Knoll to the southwest of its present situation, to make way for the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad. ]

Our subject received a good common-school edu- cation in the schools of Newington and in the high school at New Britain, also taking a course in the Cheshire school near Plainville. But the farm duties early in life demanded his attention, and Mr. Stod- dard has been a man rather of action than of books. He has spent his life on the farm, and has been a progressive agriculturist, keeping abreast with the times. For several years he conducted an extensive inilk business in connection with his farm. He is the owner of ninety-five acres of good productive land, and the crops he cultivates include hay, grain, feed and potatoes.

Mr. Stoddard married April 26, 1877, Miss Caroline Francis, who was born July 25, 1856, daughter of Joseph J. and Mary Francis. Mr. and Mrs. Stoddard have three children : Gertrude Fran- ces, born March 16, 1880; Ora Bell, born May 20, 1886 ; and Kent Elston, born Aug. 7, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Stoddard are consistent and conscientious men- bers of the Congregational Church. In politics he is a stanch Republican. He is a charter member of Our Brothers Council, No. 41, Senior Order of American Mechanics, at Newington, and has served as treas-

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urer of the lodge. Mr. Stoddard has purchased a beautiful residence site a short distance north of the old homestead, and is now ( 1899) erecting a modern twelve-room residence of the Queen Anne style of architecture. The home will be. equipped with all modern improvements, and when com- pleted will be one of the handsomest in the pictur- esque town of Newington.

EDMUND L. SMITH, president of the South Wethersfield Stamping & Manufacturing Co., and also proprietor of the South Wethersfield cider, grist and saw mill, belongs to that class of men whom the world terms self-made, for, beginning life empty-handed, he has conquered the obstacles in the path to success and is now at the head of a pros- perous business. By his efforts he has materially advanced the interests of the community with which he is associated, and has become a prominent figure in business circles.

Mr. Smith was born in Rocky Hill, Hartford county, Feb. 7, 1856, a son of Alfred Smith, who was a native of New York City, and of German descent. The latter grew to manhood in New York, where he learned the trade of a cigar maker, and in 1849 went to California. After his return from that State he came to Rocky Hill, where he engaged in the manufacture of cigars until failing health caused his retirement. He died at that place, and was buried in Rocky Hill cemetery. He mar- ried Miss Laura G. Beaumont, of East Hartford, who is still living, and makes her home in Rocky Hill, and to them were born four children: Cath- arine, wife of R. E. Scranton ; Mabel, wife of Dr. H. P. Plunket, of Rocky Hill; Alfred, who died young ; and Edmund L., our subject.

Ira Beaumont, our subject's maternal grandfa- ther, was a native of East Hartford, and a son of McGinnis Beaumont, who was of French descent, and was for many years a harness maker and land owner of East Hartford, where his death occurred. Ira Beaumont was given a good common-school edu- cation, and during his youth he learned the trade of harness making with his father. He also taught school for a time in Rocky Hill, and later followed farming in East Hartford, where he owned land. Politically he was identified with the Democratic party, and religiously both he and his wife were consistent members of the Congregational Church. Mrs. Beaumont, who bore the maiden name of Mar- tha Bulkley, was a daughter of Hosea Bulkley, and a native of Rocky Hill. She died at that place at the advanced age of ninety-two years, and was laid to rest in Rocky Hill cemetery, by the side of her hus- band, who had passed away some years previously. Their children were Edmund, Ira and Lucius, all of whom died in Rocky Hill ; Charles ; Laura Goodrich, the mother of our subject ; Emeline, wife of Josepli McFarland ; Thomas ; Harriet, wife of John Lock- wood ; and Oliver, who died in infancy.

Our subject was educated in the district schools

of Rocky Hill, and at night school. He was quite young when he lost his father, and at the age of twelve years he commenced working as a farmi hand for his board and clothes. He attended school when possible, and at the age of sixteen began learning the carpenter's and joiner's trade with R. E. Scran- ton, continuing to work at his trade in Hartford county, and at Springfield, Mass., for several years, after which he came to Wethersfield, where he fol- lowed farming for ten years on the Churchill farm. At the end of that time he turned his attention to the manufacture of lumber at South Wethersfield, and was at first engaged in business with J. E. Far- mer, but now carries on operations alone. He also conducts a grist and cider mill-making a specialty of crude and refined cider, which he ships all over the country, and deals in evaporated apples and sweet corn. Mr. Smith is now president of the South Wethersfield Stamping & Manufacturing Co., manufacturers of all kinds of sheet metal stamp- ings, wire works, bicycle brakes, lacing loops, chain guards, pedals and filings. They also make a spe- cialty of all kinds of washers, punch and dies, tools, and model, experimental and electrical work.

On Nov. 11, 1880, in Wethersfield, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Alice A. Church- ill, a native of that place, and a daughter of Stephen B. Churchill. They have three children: Edmund L., Stephen Y. and Harold A. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Congregational Church, and our subject belongs to Summit Lodge, No. 45, I. O. O. F., and Wethersfield Grange. Politically he is an ardent Republican, and he is now most acceptably serving as deputy sheriff of Hartford county. He filled the office of constable for ten years,, and since 1897 has been one of the selectmen of Wethersfield. He takes a deep interest in public affairs, and has been quite actively identified with public life.

CHARLES YAUCH, a substantial farmer of Hockanum, was born in Germany Aug. 18, 1837, and is a son of Conrad and Magdaline (Hess) Yauch, farming people, of whose large family of children six came to the United States, viz. : Rosa, who was the first to come to America, and is mar- ried to William Bihl, of Hockanum; Matthew, of Glastonbury ; Charles, our subject ; Mary, who was married to a Mr. Lander, and died in South Cov- entry, Conn .; Catherine, of South Glastonbury, widow of William Ingler, to whom she was married in Germany, where he died; and Casper, who was a baker in Hartford, where he died.

Charles Yauch came to the United States in 1861. He had learned the trade of shoemaking when sixteen or seventeen years of age, worked in Ger- many, Switzerland and France, and with his sav- ings paid his passage from Havre to New York, on the "William Tell," and landed safely after a voyage of thirty-seven days. His sister, Mrs. Bihl, was then living in Glastonbury, and to join her he took boat for Hartford; after much difficulty in

Edmund & Smith

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making people understand where he wished to go he finally reached the town. He did some cobbling in Glastonbury, then went to Hartford and worked in a shoe shop, and after working hours were over cobbled for persons living near his lodging. He was very industrious and saving, and never lost an hour if he could find work to do.

At Hartford, Dec. 26, 1864, Mr. Yauch married Miss Louisa Handel, a native of Wittenberg, Ger- many, born May 29, 1845, a daughter of Philip and Christina ( Decker) Handel. She had come to the United States in 1855, with her mother, a brother and a sister, and the vessel on which they were pas- sengers was forty-eight days crossing the ocean, owing to stormy weather ; during the voyage eighty- six persons died on board. After marriage Mr. Yauch continued to reside in Hartford, and was employed in Colt's fire-arm shops at the time of their destruction by fire. He then bought out John Low's shoe shop, on Kingsley street, but later moved his shop to Temple street, put in a stock of ready-made shoes to sell, and also did repairing. Some time afterward he sold out and went to South Meriden, bought a place, and continued to work at his trade there for nine years. He then bought his present farm on Main street, Hockanum, the only improvement thereon being the dwelling; all the other improvements have been since added by him- self.

To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Yauch have been born seven children : Bertha, now Mrs. William Myers, of Hockanum; John, of Turner's Falls, Mass. ; Rosa, wife of George A. Overton, of Chica- go, Ill .; and Fred, William, Sophia and Ernest, at home.

In politics Mr. Yauch is inclined toward the Democratic party, but voted for McKinley at the last Presidential election. He is not a member of any religious society, but his children regularly at- tend the Methodist Church and Sabbath-school. He is a member of Hancock Lodge, No. 27, I. O. O. F., at South Meriden, but, of course, cannot now at- tend its meetings punctually. He has an excellent farm, and owns two neat houses in the village, but has disposed of his property in South Meriden. Through his thrift and industry he has realized a competence, and strictly "minds his own business," annoying no one, while no better nor kinder neigh- bor can be found in the town of East Hartford.

MAURICE A. MORIARTY was born in the western part of Ireland July 4, 1844. He was the second in order of birth in a family of six children, the others being Eugene, who died in 1881; Mary, now Mrs. John McDonough, of Manchester, Conn .; Catherine, the wife of John Donohue, of the same place ; Abbie; and Hugh, a hardware merchant of South Manchester.

Maurice A. Moriarty remained in Ireland until he was ten years old, when he and his elder brother, Eugene, resolved to emigrate to America. They

took passage in a sailing-vessel, and the voyage con- sumed thirteen weeks. Their mother had pre- ceded them in 1849, and was then living at Soutli Manchester, and thither the brothers proceeded di- rectly after landing. Maurice soon found work in the Union Mills of North Manchester. After re- maining there for a few weeks he entered the em- ployment of Cheney Bros., silk manufacturers, and in 1858 was made overseer of their spinning depart- ment, remaining in that position until 1861, when he removed to Yonkers, N. Y., where he was em- ployed in a gun factory. Returning to South Man- chester at the end of that time, he again entered the employ of Cheney Bros., taking his former position, that of overseer, which he has filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to his employers during the succeeding thirty-eight years. In length of ser- vice he is certainly one of the oldest, if not the oldest employe, in-the mills, having been in the firm's service for more than forty-seven years. During Mr. Moriarty's residence in South Manchester he has been connected with the Firs. Division, Ancient Order of Ilibernians, for twenty-three years, and held the presidency of the lodge for fourteen years. He was also president of the Robert Emmet Branch, Irish National Land League of America, and is at present one of the leading members of the O. Mahony Club of Irish Nationalists. He has been a lifelong total abstainer, and was president of St. James Temperance Society for two terms. In poli- tics he was a Democrat until the nomination of Grover Cleveland for the Presidency. The free trade platform promulgated by that party caused him to dissent from it, and joining the Anti-Cleveland Union of Irish Republicans, he cast his first Re- publican ballot for James G. Blaine. Since then he has been an ardent supporter of the Republican party, has been delegate to Senatorial and Congres- sional Conventions, and has also held the offices of assessor and member of the board of relief. Mr. Moriarty owns property roughly estimated to be worth $16,000.

Mr. Moriarty was married Dec. 8, 1860, to Miss Margaret Cody, and ten children have been born to them, four of whom died in infancy. The six now living are named Catherine, Nellie, Edward, Margaret, Eugene and Mary. It has been the aim of Mr. and Mrs. Moriarty to give their children the best educational advantages, which the latter have not failed to improve to the utmost, shedding honor upon their parents' name. The eldest daughters, Catherine and Nellie, after passing through the common schools, attended the State Normal School at New Britain, graduating from that institution with distinction, and both are now teachers in the public schools of Yonkers. Nellie entered the contest for a trip to the World's Fair given to the most popular teacher by the New York Press in 1893. She proved to be one of the most successful candidates, and with a free trip received a gold medal. Edward received his early education at the grammar and

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high schools, and at the age of eighteen began the study of medicine. He matriculated at the Medi- cal Department of Columbia College, New York, and after completing a course of four years there entered the Baltimore Medical College, from which institution he graduated in 1898, and was at once appointed an instructor in pathology. Margaret re- ceived the same course of instruction as her two elder sisters, and is also a school teacher. The two younger children, Eugene and Mary, are still living at home. Mr. Moriarty and his family are of the Catholic faith, and members of St. James parish, South Manchester.

WILLIAM W. HANNA, an enterprising and successful business man of New Britain, has dis- played unusual sagacity and practical ability in car- rying on the extensive marble and stone cutting business founded by his father, and few young men in this section have achieved so high a standing in financial circles.

While his ancestry in the paternal line is of Ger- man stock remotely, the family was identified with the North of Ireland for several generations. Will- iam B. Hanna, our subject's grandfather, was born in 1806 in County Cavan, Ireland, and became what is known as a "small farmer." Seeing no hope of bettering his condition, he came to America about 1840, and located in New Haven county, Conn., being among the first Irishmen to settle in that local- ity. He bought a small tract of land, and engaged in farming with such success that he was enabled to add to the property from time to time until he had 150 acres. In disposition he was quiet and retir- ing, but he possessed excellent mental abilities, and as a citizen was much esteemed. Politically he affiliated with the Republican party, and in religion he was a Methodist, while the family was identified with the Episcopal Church. He died in 1893. Of his children, John, our subject's father, is men- tioned below ; William (deceased) was a stone cut- ter in New Britain; Thomas (deceased) was a grocer in New Britain, as one of the firm of Hanna Bros., the store being on the site of the present opera house ; Robert was one of the firm of Hanna Bros., and was in business until about 1873; Rich- ard is deceased ; Ellen (living) married (first) Will- iam White, of Madison, and later wedded Ambrose Beatty : Mary married Thomas Fitzgerald, of New York City.

John Hanna, our subject's father, was born March 16, 1830, in County Cavan, Ireland, and when a boy obtained a limited education in the Na- tional schools of that locality, but after coming to this country he continued his studies alone, while serving an apprenticeship as a stone cutter with J. G. Batterson, of Hartford. At the end of his five- vears term he entered the employ of the Empire Stone Co., of New York City, and soon afterward was made foreman of the works, with more than 100 cutters under his direction. In 1853, at the age

of twenty-three, he removed to New Britain, and formed a partnership with William Watson in the monumental and building stone business, under the firm name of Watson & Hanna, two years later buy- ing out his partner. At that time the business was located in the rear of the lot now occupied by the Baptist church, but after a few years removed to the site of the present Hanna block, and since 1878 it has been carried on in East Main street. Be- ginning in a small way, Mr. Hanna built up the busi- ness until it became one of the largest in the State, the quarry at Guilford, Conn., being also owned by him. His field of work extended throughout the Eastern States, and at its height the business em- ployed over 100 men. Among the notable struc- tures built by him were the Tammany monument, at Gettysburg, Penn., at a cost of $15,000, the contract being made on open competition ; the Hancock mon- ument, at the corner of 123d street and Columbus avenue, in New York City, at a cost of $7,000; the Elon Booth monument, at Newtown, Conn. (Mr. Booth was called the "pauper mason") ; the J. P. Schmenger monument, in Woodlawn cemetery, New York, costing $2,700; the Isaac C. Lewis mausoleum, at Meriden, Conn., costing $15,000; and the monuments to George M. Landers, B. C. Porter, C. P. Merwin and W. S. Morgan, all of New Britain. Shortly after the flood at Johnstown, Penn., he erected eleven expensive monuments there, and at times he was interested in the building busi- ness, having been the builder of the Marble block, at Nos. 432-440 Main street, New Britain. His ex- cellent judgment and untiring energy made his ad- vice and co-operation valued in many enterprises, and he was the principal stockholder in the New Britain Opera House, built in 1880; president of the People's Coal & Wood Co .; a director in the Don- nelly Brick Co. ; a silent partner in the firm of Hanna Bros., mentioned above ; and a leading member of the company which introduced the Schuyler Electric Light into New Britain ; while for four years he owned the Easton Granite Co.'s business on 42d street, New York. In addition to his other interests he was a member of and stockholder in the New Britain Driving Club, and socially was connected with Harmony Lodge, No. 20, F. & A. M .; Gid- dings Chapter, No. 25, R. A. M. : and Putnam Phal- anx. Throughout his life he was singularly free from illness, but he did not reach the allotted limit of man's days, his death occurring Dec. 27, 1896. He married Miss Fannie Wheeler, daughter of William Wheeler, of County Cavan, Ireland, who came to this country some years after William B. Hanna, and settled in New York City. Mrs. Hanna died May 17. 1898, and of their four children three are now living : Elizabeth J. married John B. Anderson, who is connected with the Irving Savings Institution, of New York City; William Wheeler, our subject. was second in the order of birth; Fannie married Herbert Basney, of Hartford; and Sherwood died at the age of five years.

W. W. Hanna.

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William W. Hanna was born in New Britain Feb. 17, 1865, and was educated in the public schools, attending the high school under Prof. Peck for more than a year. He then became interested in his father's business, and although not a part- ner he took a responsible part in it, doing the work of a general superintendent. He made the estimates for all branches of the work, and for four years previous to his father's death had almost sole charge. The settlement of the estate devolved upon him, and he conducts the business successfully, employing about forty men during the busy season. For ten years he was manager of the New Britain Opera House, and his success in all his enterprises proves that he is endowed with the foresight and energy which characterized his father in his best days. He takes an intelligent interest in all the movements of the day, and in politics is a stanch Republican. He is popular socially, and is a prominent member of the B. P. O. E. Mr. Hanna is unmarried.

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Commemorative biographical record of Hartford County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Pt 1, Part 101

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1336

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1336