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 103

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 103

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(V11) WILLIAM FREDERICK TUTTLE, son of Samuel (2), was born April 8, 1812, in Hartford. He attended the Center school and Nathaniel Pat- ten's Literary School, from which he was graduated at the age of fifteen years. At the age of twenty- one he became a member of the firm of S. Tuttle & Sons, from which he retired in 1858. He was a director of the AEtna Fire Insurance Co., and of the Farmers & Mechanics National Bank for thirty- seven years. Ile was also director of the Retreat for the Insane, auditor of accounts for same, and a director of the Hartford Hospital. A prominent member of Christ Church, he served as warden and vestryman for many years. He was a lieutenant of the Foot Guard, and a member of the Veteran Association. On Nov. 1, 1838, Mr. Tuttle mar- ried Sarah, daughter of Jonathan Ramsey, of Hart- ford. Their four children were: Sarah, born Sept. 19, 1841, died Sept. 24, 1841; Catherine, born April 10, 1843, died Sept. 20, 1846; Grace, born Dec. 16, 1846, died Jan. 31, 1883; Jane, born June 6, 1848, is a member of the Daughters of the Rev- olution. The father died Feb. 22, 1895, the mother June 9. 1895.

(VII) SAMUEL ISAAC TUTTLE, son of Samuel (2), born in Hartford Dec. 16, 1819, married, March 31, 1842, in Hartford, Louisa Ramsey, daughter of Jonathan and Sarah (Allyn) Ramsey. She was born July 14, 1820, and died March 22, 1899. The children born to this marriage were: Ellen, born Dec. 11, 1843, married, Nov. 2, 1864, D. Waldo Johnson, of New York, who died June 21, 1900; their only child, Waldo Tuttle Johnson, married Emma Crozier, of Philadelphia, and they have had four children, Roy (who died in infancy), Ethel (deceased ), Arthur C. and Sydney Gilbert. Louisa, born May 30, 1848, died Aug. 28. 1851. Alice Gertrude was born Sept. 3, 1855. Samuel William was born Oct. 18, 1857, and since 1884 has engaged in the quarry business in Portland, Conn. ; he was married there, May 27, 1897, to Miss Annie E. Strong, daughter of Ellsworth Strong. Samuel Isaac Tuttle spent his school days in Ilart- ford. He engaged in business with his father and brothers Miles A. and William F., under the firm name of S. Tuttle & Sons, dealing in grindstones, gypsum, seeds and groceries.

The RAMSEY family came from Londonderry, Ireland, and settled in Londonderry, N. H., in 1720, the first ancestor in this country being Hugh Ramsey, who married Mary Moore. Jonathan Ramsey, the grandfather of Mrs. William F. and Mrs. Samuel I. Tuttle, was married, in 1786, to Mary Chadwick, of Tyringham, Mass., and came to Hartford same year. Ile was born Sept. 9, 1757, and died at Hartford Sept. 12, 1805, being laid to rest in the old Center Church yard. He was an early member of Christ Church. He kept a hotel at the corner of Pearl and Main streets.

Jonathan Ramsey, father of Mrs. Samuel Isaac and Mrs. William F. Tuttle, was born in Hartford

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

May 20, 1787, and died July 23, 1832. He kept a livery in the city. He married Sarah Allyn, daughter of Fitz John Allyn, of Windsor, who was a descendant of Matthew Allyn, one of the founders of that town, and also of Hartford; he was one of the custodians of the old charter. The children of Jonathan and Sarah ( Allyn) Ramsey were as fol- lows: Jonathan, born Dec. 13, 1813, died Feb. 15, 1884. Harriet, born Sept. 19, 1815, died Nov. 25. 1817. Sarah, born Dec. 3. 1817, married Will- iam F. Tuttle, and died June 9. 1895. Louisa, born July 14, 1820, married Samuel Isaac Tuttle, and died March 22, 1899. Mary, born June 20. 1822. married James M. Loomis, of Hartford. William, born Oct. 14, 1825, married Eliza Simpson in March, 1855, and died in 1898; he is buried in Thompson- ville, Conn. Maria, born Sept. 26, 1828, died Oct. 31. 1828.

Jonathan Ramsey (3) married Lucy M. Briggs Jan. 3. 1837. He died Feb. 15, 1884. Children : Lucy Jane, widow of William Rogers, of Hartford; Mary Goodwin, who died young: Jonathan, Jr. ; Alice Emma, who died March 15, 1896; James Crosby; Anna Cunningham, who died Nov. 2, 1882, wife of Edward Childs, of Lee, Mass .; Martha ; and Rose Ella, wife of Frank Tarbox, of Hartford.

JARED BUTLER STANDISH was born in Wethersfield, Sept. 4, 1866, a son of James and Jerusha ( Griswold) Standish, well-known citizens of that place, who are represented elsewhere.

Mr. Standish was educated in the district schools of the town, later attending a private school taught by Miss Sarah Woodhouse, and completing his edu- cation in the Wethersfield Academy. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to A. Mugford, of Hart- ford, to learn the art of wood-engraving and illus- trating. He has since been in the employ of that firm as a master workman with the exception of two years, when he engaged in the stationery-engraving business on his own account. At the end of that time he returned to the firm, with whom he is still connected, as half-tone copper-plate finisher, con- tinuing his former business for some years.

At Bridgewater, Vt., Mr. Standish was married, Jan. 30. 1895, to Miss Martha Louise Perkins, a native of that place, and a daughter of Charles and Eliza Mary (Densmore) Perkins, who were also born in Vermont but are now living in Wethers- field, Conn. By this union one child, Erland Myles, was born. Oct. 13. 1896. Mrs. Standish and her husband attend the services of the Congrega- tional Church, and also belong to Wethersfield Grange. He is now serving as first lieutenant of Troop A. Governor's Horse Guards. Politically he is quite liberal in his views. He is domestic in his tastes and is very fond of his home and family. In 1894 Mr. Standish erected a pleasant residence on Hartford avenue, Wethersfield, supplied with modern improvements, and furnished in a tasteful manner.

HOWARD DAVID GORDON, traveling sales- man for Gordon Brothers, Hazardville, was bori in Enfield, Hartford county, Sept. 28, 1870, a so1 of David and Fidelia M. ( Woodworth) Gordon.

David Gordon, his father, is a member of the firm of Gordon Brothers, and one of the mos prominent business men of Hazardville. He is native of Scotland, and when a child of four years in 1844, was brought to America by his parents William and Jean Gordon. William Gordon was an industrious and skillful weaver, and for many years were actively connected with the woolen indus. tries of Hazardville. David Gordon, in his youth acquired the tinner's trade, and in 1861, as soon as he had reached his majority, started with two partners a small tinner's business, which grew into the present large and prosperous trade of Gordo1 Brothers.

Howard D. Gordon, our subject, was reared to manhood in the village of Hazardville. He was graduated from the Connecticut Literary Institute in June, 1888, and from Wesleyan University, a Middletown, Conn., in 1892. Since that time, with the exception of two years, when he was salesmal for a Boston importing house, he has been a travel ing salesman for Gordon Brothers, of Hazardville

Mr. Gordon was married. Oct. 2. 1895, to Hattie Gertrude Kelsey, of West Roxbury, Mass.

Mr Gordon and his wife are members of the M. E Church of Hazardville. He is a Republican in poli tics, and has served one year as a member of the Enfield school board. He is a member of the Bet: Theta Pi college fraternity.

ANTONIO C. KING, a well-known farme and milk dealer of West Hartford, is one of the self-made men of Hartford county, his success in life being due to his own industry, perseverance and economy, and the exercise of a naturally good judg ment, both in regard to agricultural pursuits and business matters.

Mr. King was born Oct. 2, 1864, on the Azore Islands, where his father, Antonio King, has spen his entire life, and is still engaged in farming there Our subject was reared and educated in his native land, remaining there until fourteen years of age when he went to sea, and for three years was engaged in the whaling business. On Aug. 7, 1882, he landed in New Bedford, Mass., and shortly afterward came to West Hartford, Conn., where he found em ployment with M. R. Brazos. He started for Cali fornia Feb. 3, 1885, and spent the following two years in railroading, lumbering and farming on th Pacific coast. Returning to Connecticut April 9 1887, he resumed work with Mr. Brazos, in Wes Ilartford, and on Nov. 1, 1888, established a mill route. In the spring of 1893 he bought the Brazo farm, and has since successfully operated it on hi own account. He was made a voter in West Hart ford in 1888, and has since supported the Republi can party.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

In Thompsonville, Conn., June 6, 1889, Mr. King married Mrs. Kate ( McDonald ) O'Toole, and they have two children : Frank C., born May 30, 1891; and Mary C., born April 28, 1894. Mrs. King first married Charles O'Toole, who died leav- ing two sons: Philip, born Jan. 13, 1879; and Charles, born June 25, 1880. In December, 1898, both enlisted in Company L, Ist United States In- fantry, for three years' service, and at present are located at Pinar Del Rio, Cuba.

ALLEN PEASE. Any ambitious youth who may read this brief history of a successful career cannot fail to draw from it some helpful sugges- tion, but chief among them will be the lesson of wise persistence in a calling, when once chosen. The subject of our sketch, a leading merchant of Windsor Locks, represents a fine type of citizenship, his en- ergy and enterprise having won him a substantial competence, while he also takes a progressive stand in matters of public spirit.

Mr. Pease comes of good Colonial stock; his grandfather, Israel Pease, a Revolutionary soldier, was a native of Enfield, this county, and followed agriculture there. Wells Pease, our subject's fa- ther, was born in Enfield, and was engaged in farm- ing there in early manhood, but in 1863 he removed to l'oquonock. As a citizen he was much re- spected, and throughout his life he was a stanch adherent of the Democratic party. He was married, in Enfield, to Miss Betsey Pease, daughter of Isaac Pease, a well-known citizen, and their last days were spent in Poquonock, both dying in 1873.

Allen Pease was born March 22, 1846, in the town of Enfield, and received a practical education in the public schools of the locality. At the time of the removal of the family to Poquonock he was about eighteen years of age, and in 1865 he began his business career as a clerk in a general store, for the firm of Hathaway & Mosler. In 1873, having gained a knowledge of business methods, he located at Windsor Locks, and engaged in the stove and tinware business with his brother Alvah, occupying a small room at his present store building, corner .of Main and Oak streets. In 1878 they purchased the furniture business of C. W. Watrous, which they continued in connection with their former enterprise, and since the death of Alvah Pease, in February, 1883, Allen Pease has carried on the store alone. In 1891 he bought the store building and lot, and in 1893 built a fifty-food addition in the rear of the store. At present he is using three floors, with the exception of the front room on the second floor, which is used by the Wheel Club. Mr. Pease is in- terested in other business enterprises in his town, in- cluding the electric light company, the water com- pany, and the bridge company. He has been fre- quently chosen for office, having served four years as selectman, two years as justice of the peace, and twelve years as a member of the school board.

On May 6, 1874, Mr. Pease was married at Po-

quonock to Miss Catherine Smith, a native of that village, and they have had five clever sons, who give promise of rivaling their father in business ability : Frank A. and Howard S. are employed in the store ; Willis L. is connected with the Connecticut Life Insurance Co., at Hartford; Nelson G. is a student in a business college at Hartford; and Everett Lin- coln is at home. Socially Mr. Pease and his wife are popular, and for twenty-seven years he has been an active member of Washington Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Windsor. He is a leading worker in the Congregational Church at Windsor Locks, in which he has served as deacon for five years and committeeman for twenty years.

PETER RIVAL, a skilled machinist in the em- ploy of the Colt Manufacturing Co., of Hartford, and also a tobacco grower at Hockanum, Hartford county, is a native of Rhine Province, Germany, born June 20, 1853.

Frank Rival, father of Peter, and a native of the same province, served fifteen years in the German army, and afterward was collector of customs for fifty years, when he was pensioned, and passed the latter part of his life in retirement. His death took place in Coblentz in 1898. To his marriage with Anna Rose were born five children : Matilda, mar- ried to Matthew Zimmerman, a retired mechanic, living in New Britain, Conn .; Mary, married to John March, and living in Germany; Peter, our subject ; Susannah, wife of Peter Rose, a farmer in Germany ; and Angelica, married to Peter Weuhert, also in Germany.

Peter Rival received the usual German common- school education, and learned his trade of machin- ist at Killian. After serving three years in the army, he worked at various places in France, Switz- erland and Germany, and, being an excellent me- chanic, received good wages, at the rate wages were estimated in the old country. In 188t he sailed from Hamburg in the "Weasel," and after a voyage of fifteen days landed in New York City, whence he came direct to New Britain, Conn., where his sister, Mrs. Matilde Zimmerman, was living. Here he worked in the Stanley shop for some months, and later in the Orlando works, until the latter part of 1882, when he was employed at Colt's factory, in Hartford, and has held his situation there ever since, his work being in the "assembling" room. As he is a skilled machinist and good "all-round" workman, he is frequently sent ont to repair or set up work the company has turned out, principally printing presses, at regulating which he is an adept.

While a resident of New Britain Mr. Rival mar- ried, July 15, 1882, Miss Mary Stilz, who was born in Germany May 8, 1852, and came to the United States in 1871. The children born to this union are six in number : Matthias, born April 1, 1883, now working with his father at Colt's factory ; Charles. born Jan. 29, 1884, died March 9, 1885, and is in- terred at Hartford; John, born Aug. 27, 1886;

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Peter, June 3, 1889; Frank, Oct. 31, 1891; and Ann Matilda, March 9, 1894.

Mr. Rival bought his farm of eighteen acres in Hockanum in October, 1891, and of this place he sets apart four acres for the raising of tobacco. In politics he is independent of parties, and votes for the candidates best suited for the offices to be filled, as far as his judgment points out. In his social relations he is a member of Herman Lodge, No. 16, .K. of P., of Hartford, and of the I. O. O. F., belonging to New Britain Lodge and Capital City Encampment, No. 7. The family attend the German Catholic Church at Hartford, and are highly es- teemed both within and without the pale of the church.

WILLIAM SHERMAN WARD, one of the most progressive citizens of Plantsville, and the efficient superintendent for the firm of H. D. Smith & Co., at that place, was born in Fairfield, Conn., Jan. 22, 1842, a son of Benjamin W. and Susan ( Blakeman) Ward. The father, a native of eastern Connecticut, left liome in July, 1842, and was last heard from at Cape Town, South Africa. His children were George and William S. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Benjamin Ward, of eastern Connecticut, and the maternal grandfather was Edward Blakeman, of Stratfield, Fairfield Co., Conn., where he followed the trade of black- smith.

Our subject received a common-school education, and in 1858 began learning the machinist's trade in Bridgeport, serving an apprenticeship of three and one-half years. In April, 1861, he enlisted as a musician in Company H, Ist Conn. V. I., took part in the battle of Bull Run; and was honorably discharged in July of the same year. In August, 1862, he re-enlisted at Seymour, Conn., as a mu- sician in Company H, 20th Conn. V. I., and with his command participated in the battles of Chancel- lorsville and Gettysburg, later joining Gen. Sher- man's army at Chattanooga, marching with him to the sea and taking part in all the engagements of that campaign. Mr. Ward was taken prisoner at Fayetteville, N. C., March 14, 1865, and sent to Libby prison, where he remained three weeks. On being paroled he was sent home, where he arrived April 15, 1865, but he afterward took part in the great parade of the army of the Potomac at Wash- ington, D. C., and was honorably discharged from the service in May, 1865. Since the war he has been a resident of Southington, with the exception of five years spent in Newark, N. J., with H. M. Strieby, manufacturer of carriage hardware. He is now a member of the firm of H. D. Smith & Co., manu- facturers of carriage hardware at Southington, and has been superintendent of the factory since 1883. Being a practical machinist, and having a thorough understanding of every department of the business, he has most capably and satisfactorily filled his present responsible position.

In April, 1866, Mr. Ward was united in mar- riage with Miss Caroline E. Smith, a daughter of James H. and Sarah ( Munger ) Smith, of Litchfield, and to them have been born four children: Emma S., now the wife of Albert H. Botsford; William S .; and Iva A., living; and Alice F., who died in 1880. Mr. Ward is a member of the Plantsville Congregational Church, and of Friendship Lodge, No. 33, F. & A. M .; Triune Chapter, No. 40, R. A. MI .; Trumbull Post, No. 16, G. A. R .; and the Order of United American Mechanics. The Re- publican party finds in him a stanch supporter of its principles, and he is now one of the ex-wardens of Southington borough. He has also filled the office of burgess for two years, and is eminently public- spirited and progressive, as well as a genial, cour- teous gentleman.

HON. CHARLES ABBOTT THOMPSON, junior member of the well-known firm of J. A. Thompson & Son, of Melrose, is an enterprising and able business man, and although his residence is "over the line" in the town of Ellington, Tolland county, his extensive interests here make him prac- tically a citizen of Hartford county. The firm, of which his father was the founder, does a large and constantly increasing business in the manu- facture of cider, cider vinegar and apple jelly, the product being shipped to all parts of the United States.

The Thompson family has been identified with the town of Ellington, Tolland county, from an early date. Samuel Thompson, our subject's great- great-grandfather, and a native of that town, mar- ried Elizabeth Mckinney, who died in 1776, in her ninetieth year; he died in 1782, in his ninety-first year.

Samuel Thompson (2), the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in the town of Ellington, and died in 1815, in his eighty-seventh year. He made his home upon the farm now occupied by our subject, which he inherited from his father, who bought it in 1741. He married Eleanor Mc- Cray, who died in 1850, at the age of ninety-four.

Samuel Thompson (3) was married, in No- vember, 1809, to Mary Ellsworth, who died in January, 1868, aged seventy-eight years. He died June 22, 1875, aged ninety-three years.

Hon. J. Abbott Thompson, our subject's fa- ther, and the head of the firm, was born at the old homestead April 29, 1828, and was educated in the common schools of the town and at the high school of Ellington. For some time he was interested in the manufacture of cider, in partnership with his father, and in 1863 he established the present plant at Melrose, beginning on a small scale. He is prom- inent in public affairs, having been elected in 1874. in 1882, again in 1884 as a representative from the town of Ellington in the State Legislature. On Oct. 20, 1863, he married Miss Mabel Clark, a na- tive of Enfield, daughter of Charles and Dorothy

Co.a. Thompson

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

(King) Clark, and granddaughter of Capt. John King, of Enfield, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have three children: Charles Abbott ; Alice C., wife of Arthur H. Rice, of Pittsfield, Mass., who has one son, William Thompson; and Fannie Ellsworth.

Charles A. Thompson was born May 8, 1861, at the old farm in the town of Ellington, and after completing a course in the local schools attended Williston Academy, at East Hampton, Mass., where he graduated in 1881. His energy and sound judg- ment are recognized factors in the success of the firm, and he is also president of the Ellington Build- ing & Loan Association, and treasurer of the local agricultural society. Politically he is a Republican, and in the fall of 1896 he was elected to the Legis- lature from the town of Ellington, being a member of the house in 1897 and 1899. In November, 1900, he was elected senator from the 24th district of Connecticut, carrying every town in his district. For some years he has been an active worker in the local Grange, and he and his wife are leading mem- bers of the Congregational Church of Ellington. His interest in educational progress led him to serve for five years on the town school board, and since 1896 he has been president of the Ellington Library Association, while in 1897 he was ap- pointed treasurer of the State Board of Agricult- ure, on which he is still serving, and is treasurer of the board.

On Dec. 9, 1886, Mr. Thompson married Miss Della Snow, of Ellington, daughter of Otis and Mary ( Chapman) Snow, and they have two chil- dren : Mabel, born Dec. 13, 1895; and Abbott Bradford, born Jan. 1, 1898.

OLIN SIMEON OLMSTED, a prominent farmer of Enfield, was born on the old Olmsted homestead, where he now resides, Nov. 22, 1857, and is a son of Obediah and Hannah ( Bartlett) Olmsted, both natives of Enfield, a grandson of Simeon and Abigail (Collins) Olmsted, of Enfield, and a great-grandson of Simeon and Roxalana (Abbe) Olmsted, and of Eliphalet and Abigail (Abbe) Collins, all pioneers of Enfield. To Simeon and Abigail (Collins) Olmsted, grandparents of our subject, were born eight children: Mary, Mrs. Charles Kellogg; Abigail, Mrs. Aaron Wood ; Lathrop; Erastus; Simeon; Arnold; Miranda, Mrs. Elam Allen ; and Obediah, the youngest, and the father of our subject.

Obediah Olmsed was born in Enfield July 13, 1816. He married, Nov. 28, 1839, Hannah, daughter of Jonathan and Hannah (King) Bartlett, of Enfield, a granddaughter of Jonathan and Margaret (Har- per) Bartlett, and a great-granddaughter of James Harper of East Windsor. To Obediah and Han- nah Olmsted were born three children : Lurana H., deceased ; Frederick B., deceased ; and Olin Simeon. Frederick B. married Flora Sheridan, of Thomp- sonville, daughter of Timothy Sheridan, and had

three children, namely : Elmer S., Mabel and Fred- erick L.

Olin Simeon Olmsted, our subject, was reared on the homestead. He received a good common-school education, and completed his studies by taking the commercial course at Wilbraham Academy, Wil- braham, Mass., graduating in the class of 1878. Mr. Olmsted has made farming his life vocation, and he has conducted the old home farm since 1884. On Oct. 16, of that year, he married Emma, daugh- ter .of Mason W. and Louisa C. (Mead) Sharp, of Elmira, N. Y. To our subject and wife have been born four children: Ethel Louise, Emma Celia, Lyman Wesley and Stella Pearl. Mr. and Mrs. Olmsted are members of the M. E. Church. In politics our subject is a Republican, and he has served two terms as a member of the school board of Enfield.

CHARLES FREDERICK HUTT, a thrifty and successful agriculturist, residing at Addison, has made his way through his own exertions, seconded by the help of a devoted and industrious wife. Coming to America early in life, without capital, they endured many hardships before success was attained, but they can now look with satisfaction upon the result of their labors.

Mr. Hutt was born July 17, 1832, in Wittenberg, Germany, a son of Frederick and Barbara (Zeich ) Hutt, both also natives of Wittenberg. They died there at a good old age, on the farm which had been cultivated by the father for many years. This worthy couple had two children: Katherine, who married John Flad, and now resides near our subject's home in Addison; and Charles F., our subject.

As a boy Mr. Hutt received a common-school education in his native town, and when fourteen years old he began to learn the miller's trade with C. Frederick Kinkely, of that place, with whom he remained four years, receiving nothing but his board and occasional gifts of money from his em- ployer, in recognition of his earnestness and in- dustry. Later he spent four years working as a journeyman in various places, and in 1853 he came to America, taking the sailing-vessel "Havre," at Havre. After a voyage of thirty-seven days he landed in New York without a dollar, a friend loaning him the money for his fare to Hartford. From Hartford he made his way to Glastonbury, where his sister resided, and soon afterward he se- cured employment with J. B. Williams, on whose premises he assisted in different kinds of work for about two years, many of the pine trees which now beautify the place having been set out by him. For eight years Mr. Hutt was employed by David Hubbard in his tannery, and after the plant passed into the possession of the late Isaac Broadhead he continued there with the latter for some time. On leaving the tannery he found employment in the metal department of a factory, at Naubuc, at fifty cents a day, and during the two years that he spent

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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 103

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