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 129

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 129

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In May, 1887, Mr. Hill was married, in Roches- ter, N. Y., to Elizabeth M. Blair, formerly of Ilart- ford, a daughter of H. P. Blair, and grandaughter of Charles Blair, formerly superintendent of the Collins Company. Three children have blessed this union : Hellen F. ; Russel B., who died in 1897, at the age of six years ; and Wilbur P.

WELLMAN BRAINARD WEIR, a well-known and highly-respected citizen of the town of New- ington, was born in Glastonbury, Conn., June 14, 1838, and is a representative of one of the old fami- lies of the place. Gilbert Weir, his grandfather, was also a native of Glastonbury, and followed farming pursuits; he and his wife are buried in Glastonbury.

Flavel Weir, father of our subject, was born in Glastonbury, Sept. 21, 1802, and was married in Newington, Nov. 26, 1834, to Miss Mary Ann Churchill, who was born on the old Churchill home- stead in Newington, April 26, 1814. He was very straight, tall and slender, and prematurely gray; was very strict and stern; and when young was ill much of the time. He was a thrifty farmer and a self-made man, one who commanded the respect of all with whom he came in contact, and those who knew him best were numbered among his warmest friends. His word was always considered as good as his bond, for he was honorable and straightfor- ward in all things. In political sentiment he was a Democrat.

In 1849, when our subject .was four years old, the family located on the old Churchill homestead in Newington, where Gen. Washington had once caten supper. There Mr. Weir passed his boy- hood. At the age of eleven years he commenced earning his own livelihood, working for Jedidiah Deming for nine dollars per month and board, and with that gentleman he remained some thirteen years, working during the summer and attending

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school through the winter months. During the Civil war he entered the service of his country, enlisting at Newington (then Wethersfield), Aug. 30, 1862, in Company B, 22nd Conn. V. 1., under command of Col. George S. Burnham. He was mustered in at Hartford, Sept. 20, 1862, and then went to New York. From there he proceeded by boat to Elizabethport and by train to Washington, D. C. There he became ill from the effects of a sunstroke, and was confined to hospital for two . months. He then joined his regiment at Miner's Hill, near Alexandria, Va., and later was on guard and picket duty at Suffolk, N. C. Returning to Yorktown, the regiment went up the York river to Richmond, and from there returned to Hartford, Conn., on the expiration of their term of enlistment, being mustered out July 7, 1863.

The year after his return from the war Mr. Weir was foreman of a farm at New Haven, and then again came to Newington, where he has since en- gaged in farming and carpentering, being interested in the latter business with his son. In April, 1893, he purchased his present farm of nineteen acres from the Johnson estate, and there he is now suc- cessfully engaged in raising general farm products.

On Dec. 29, 1860, Mr. Weir was united in marriage with Miss Susan Sophia Cady, who was born in East Hampton, Conn., Feb. 25, 1839, a daughter of Zamon and Charlotte Amelia (Bush) Cady, now deceased. The father was buried in East Hampton, the mother in Newington. In their family were three children. To Mr. and Mrs. Weir have been born four children : Burton Revillo, born Nov. 3, 1861, died Oct. 23, 1863 ; Lucy Emma, born Jan. 6, 1867, died Dec. 8, 1881 ; Nellie Vir- ginia, born Aug. 21, 1868, and George Alanson, born Dec. 29, 1874, make their home with their par- ents. Father and son are members of Our Broth- ers Council, No. 41, Sr. O. U. A. M., of Newington, and the latter also belongs to the Grange. In early life Mr. Weir was a Democrat in politics, but for the past twenty years has been an ardent supporter of the Republican party. He is a hardworking, in- dustrious man, well-liked by his neighbors, and has a host of friends in Newington.

WILLIAM STANLEY BRACE, a represen- tative farmer and dairyman of West Hartford, was born on the old Brace homestead in that town June 20, 1869, and is a worthy representative of one of its most highly respected and honored families.

Mr. Brace's grandfather, Thomas Brace, who resided in a house just north of West Hartford, was born Aug. 18, 1797, and died Feb. 18, 1880. He was a farmer by occupation, and a singing teacher, and was an active and prominent member of the Congregational Church. In politics he was a Republican, and he served as treasurer of the town of West Hartford. He married Miss Electa A. Deming, who was born Feb. 14. 1801, and died Aug. 9, 1872, and they had six children : Helen M.,

born Aug. 8, 1824, is a resident of Placerville, Cal. ; Charlotte S., born Oct. 14, 1827. died Aug. 4, 1869; Thomas D., born Nov. 9, 1830, is a resident of Poy Sippi, Wis .; Joseph E., born Oct. 18, 1833, was the father of our subject; John H., born Feb. 24, 1836, lives in Syracuse, N. Y .; and Emma A., born Sept. 21, 1842, died Nov. 8, 1864.

Joseph Ensign Brace, father of our subject, spent his entire early life on the old homestead at West Hartford Center, dying in the house where he was born. His education was acquired in the district schools and the old academy of West Hart- ford Center, and after attaining man's estate he en- gaged in farming, which he continued throughout the remainder of his life. On Oct. 27, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Nettie S. Belden, who was born Oct. 9, 1835, and died Oct. 14, 1874. Their only child was William S., our subject. The father was again married Oct. 13, 1887, his second union being with Ella Mulford Conklin, who still survives him. Politically Mr. Brace was a stanch Republican, and at one time was selectman of the town of West Hartford. Fraternally he was a member of the Grange, and religiously of the Con- gregational Church. He died Jan. 8, 1899, of pneumonia contracted at "The Men's Social," Dec. 26, 1898. His genial disposition, his equable temper, his sterling integrity, his stalwart frame, his sunny face, his mild and benignant eye, his friendly voice, made him the trusted friend and ad- viser, the brotherly helper, of many who feel his loss as that of a relative, near and dear. He was widely known, confidently trusted, and greatly be- loved. In 1858 he united with the church, and was a regular attendant up to the time of his death. He loved its hours of worship, gave liberally and constantly to its support, and filled with fidelity and ability the trusts and duties assigned him. He was an indefatigable worker, almost mercilessly so, never sparing himself, and yet he always had leis- ure, or made it, to say a kindly word and to lend a helping hand to those in need of counsel and as- sistance.

During his boyhood and youth, William S. Brace attended the Center District school, the high school, and Williston Seminary, at East Hampton, Mass. Upon the completion of his education he returned home, and accepted a position with the United States Express Co. Later he was with the Adams Express Co. for about five years, but for the past six years has been successfully engaged in farm- ing and the milk business, having a milk route in Hartford. He continued to reside upon the old homestead until the spring of 1898, when he re- moved to the next house north, residing there until the death of his father, when he moved back to the old homestead. On Nov. 22, 1890, Mr. Brace was united in marriage with Miss Bertha M. Ward, and to them have been born two children : Pauline Boyer, who was born Oct. 6, 1894, and died at the age of eleven months ; and H. Boyer, born Dec. 18,

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1896. Mr. Brace is a prominent member of Wyllys Lodge, No. 99, F. & A. M., of which he is the pres- ent master ; and has been a member of Summit Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Hartford, since 1898. He is quite popular socially, and stands high in busi- ness circles.

EDSON WILCOX BOWERS, whose life story is one of perseverance, hard work, thrift, energy and honesty which it would be well for the youth of the present generation to carefully study and emulate, was born June 2, 1853, in the town of Berlin, near the line dividing Berlin from Middle- town. His father, Harley Newell Bowers, was born June 9, 1823, in Middletown, near the same dividing line. He kept a general store, and was the pioneer merchant of East Berlin. He married Julia Wilcox.

Edson W. Bowers lost his father by death when he was but five years old, and at the age of nine the boy went to work upon the farm of his uncle, Henry J. Bowers, in Westfield. He enjoyed some educational advantages, although they were of a limited sort, being confined to attendance at the public school in the Westfield District, and at a private school for one term. When he reached the age of eighteen he resolved to learn the trade of a tinner, and for three years served an apprentice- ship with Henry L. Dickenson, of East Berlin. After learning his trade he remained with Mr. Dickenson for fourteen years as a journeyman, and at the death of that gentleman found that through his own industry, sobriety and economy he was able to purchase his employer's store, with its stock, and shop, with its machinery and tools. A year later he purchased the Dickenson resi- dence, which is still his home. From what has been already said, it may be seen that while yet in the very prime of life Mr. Bowers has built up, unaided, a successful business, and has acquired at least a comfortable competence. Faithful in every relation of life, he has always been a dutiful son, and the support of his widowed mother has always been one of his chief cares. For thirty years he has worked hard to climb the ladder of success, and he has mounted no round except through pa- tient performance of the duty nearest at hand.

In January, 1885, Mr. Bowers was married to Mary Alice, a daughter of William A. Mildrum, of East Berlin, and one son blessed their union, Arthur Edson, born in September, 1886. He is attending school in East Berlin. In politics Mr. Bowers is a stanch Republican, but his life has been too much occupied with work and business to permit him to take any active part in campaigns or elections. In religious faith he is a Methodist.

LUCIUS HANCOCK HOLT, the well-known treasurer of the Billings & Spencer Co., Hartford, comes of a long and honorable line of sturdy New England ancestry, being a descendant in the sev-

enth generation from Nicholas Holt, and traces his descent through Nicholas (2), Abiel, James, Jo- seph and Alva.

Nicholas Holt, the emigrant ancestor, was born about 1602, in England, was a passenger in the ship "James," of London which sailed from the port of Southampton, England, in April, 1635, and arrived at Boston in June following. The same year he lo- cated in Newbury, Mass., of which place he was one of the first settlers. In 1644 he became one of the original settlers of Andover, Mass., where he died in 1665. A few years prior to coming to this country he had married, in England, his wife's name being Elizabeth.

(II) Nicholas Holt (2), son of Nicholas, the emigrant, born in 1647 in Andover, Mass., married, in 1679, Mary Russell, daughter of (probably) Robert Russell. He died in Andover in 1715.

(III) Abiel Holt, son of Nicholas (2), born in 1698, married (first) Hannah, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Geary) Abbot, and in 1718 removed from Andover to Windham, Conn., where they were among the early members of the church. He died in Windham in 1772.

(IV) James Holt, son of Abiel, born in 1746, in Windham, married (first) in 1769 Esther Orven. Ile removed to Ellington, and died in 1818.

(V) Joseph Holt, son of James, was born in 1770 in Willington, and in 1794 married Betsey Parker, who died in 1814, at the age of thirty-nine. He died in 1816, at the age of forty-six.

(VI) Alva Holt, son of Joseph, and the father of Julius H. Holt, of Hartford, was born Aug. 14, 1801, in Willington, and died March 30, 1876. On Feb. 5, 1823, he married Betsey Kelsey, who was born March 19, 1794, daughter of Levi and Sally (Fowler) Kelsey, and died June 2, 1869. His second wife was Jane Newberry. Alva Holt first engaged in farming in Willington, and later con- ducting a trucking business at Hartford, where his death occurred. He was active in the cause of tem- perance, and frequently lectured on the subject. His children, all now deceased except Lucius H., were : Cornelia, born in 1823; Louisa, born in 1825; Lucius Hancock, born in 1827; and William K., born in 1837, who married Ann Wolcott.

(VII) Lucius Hancock Holt was born Oct. I, 1827, in Willington, and spent his early life in his native place and at Hartford. At the early age of fifteen years he became the main support of the family, engaging as newsboy until he was eighteen years old, and subsequently, up to the age of thirty, working at the jeweler's trade, which he had learned in Hartford. Having decided to branch out on liis own account, he embarked in the grain business, which he conducted for the twelve or fifteen years following, and for a short time he resided in Chi- cago, where he would in all probability have re- mained permanently had not the great Chicago fire changed his plans. For a number of years past he has been prominently identified with the business

EM Powers

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interests of Hartford as treasurer of the Billings & Spencer Co. Fraternally he is well known in Masonic circles, being a member of St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M., of Washington Commandery, K. T., Hartford, and he has reached the thirty- second degree.

On Sept. 9, 1849, at New Haven, Conn., Mr. Holt was married to Miss Sarah Gwinnell, who was born Jan. 10, 1829. Of the children born to this union, Amelia N. died in infancy. Sarah E., born in 1852, also died in infancy. Evelina C., born May 26, 1855, is the wife of Charles E. Billings, of Hart- ford. Fred P., born Nov. 8, 1860, was married Feb. 18, 1880, to Miss Regina Miller Hudson, daughter of Dr. William M. Hudson, and they have one child, Lucius Iludson, born Jan. 16, 1881. Fred P. Holt is custodian of the Safe Deposit Department of the Hartford Trust Co. The family stands high in the best circles of Hartford, and Mr. Holt enjoys the respect and esteem of a wide acquaintanceship.

FREDERIC JONES, who, at the age of thirty-eight years, is at the head of the Tariffville Lace Manufacturing Co., which is engaged at Tariff- ville in the manufacture of the celebrated Notting- ham curtains, began his career as an office boy in an English factory, where methods are more con- servative than here. At nineteen years of age he was superintendent of the factory. He has thor- oughly learned the business, and this mastery of detail has contributed not a little to his success.

Mr. Jones is a native of Nottingham, England, born in August, 1861. He received a common- school education, but no academic or collegiate course, and at the age of sixteen he entered the em- ploy of the Frank Wilkinson Co., of Beeston, Notts, England, as an office boy. He swept out offices, and did the general utility work of a boy in his po- sition ; but he took a keen interest in the business, until at the age of nineteen he was made superin- tendent of the company's plant at Beeston, where hie had under him 500 hands. The firm was among the largest in the manufacture of Nottingham lace cur- tains, and owned plants at Beeston, Chillwell and Borrowosh, England. In 1891 Mr. Jones came to the United States and became superintendent of the firm's plant at Tariffville, remaining in that capacity until August, 1898, when he became a stockholder. In February, 1899, the Tariffville Lace Manufac- turing Co. was incorporated. Mr. Jones was one of the incorporators, and became its first president and superintendent, in which capacity he has since continued ; he is a thoroughly practical man, in both business and mechanics. The Tariffville Lace Manufacturing Co. makes the celebrated Notting- ham lace curtains.

In England Mr. Jones married Miss Henrietta Burrows, of Beeston, England. They are members of the Episcopal Church. In politics our subject is a Republican, and, while no office holder or seeker, takes an interest in the party's success. Ile is dis-

tinctively a self-made man, one whose devotion and application to business have met with the most sig- nal success.

HARRY E. OLCOTT, an enterprising and successful young merchant of Glastonbury, was born in Naubuc July 21, 1869, in the house which is still occupied by his father. His ancestry is fully spoken of in the sketch of his brother, Emerson E. Olcott, elsewhere.

Mr. Olcott attended a district school and Glas- tonbury Academy, and in 1885 entered the em- ploy of W. E. Gates, as clerk in a general store, his duties involving such work as delivering goods, sweeping out, and cleaning lamps. His wages were very low, but he remained until fire destroyed the place, in 1894, when his brother, Emerson E. Ol- cott, purchased the site and rebuilt the store. Our subject was engaged in the grocery business with his brother until 1898, when he purchased the lat- ter's interest, and he is now the sole owner of the general store which bears his name. In 1887 he was married to Miss Louise C. Tracy, a native of Hazardville, Conn., who was born March 9, 1870, daughter of Henry Tracy, a tinner and well-known resident of that town. She died Sept. 30, 1898, her death being a severe blow to her husband and family. She was a most excellent wife, and a kind and loving mother, and her husband's devotion to her was intense. Six children were born to them: Edna, March 25, 1888; Mildred, Jan. 21, 1890; Frank, April 3, 1891 ; Arthur, Dec. 8, 1892; Ruth, Oct. 5, 1895 ; and Louise, Aug. 31, 1898. Socially Mr. Olcott is popular, and his sterling qualities of character, and his genial and obliging disposition, are appreciated by his customers as well as others, as his constantly increasing trade indicates. He is a member of the O. U. A. M., of Glastonbury, and the Society of the Sons of Veterans. In politics he is a Republican, but he has never sought political honors.

RAPER HALL, of the town of Berlin, was born in Easingwold, England, Dec. 25, 1868, and is a son of John Hall, now overseer for Sir George Wombwell, Bart., of the above manor. There the father was born in 1834, and there he has made his home throughout life, though he has visited this country. At the age of twenty-three years he wed- ded Mary Ann Raper, who was born in 1837, and died in 1884. In their family were seven children. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Walter Hall, was born in Easingwold, in 1779, and engaged in farming and stock dealing. By his wife Jane, he had a family of six children. He died at the age of eighty-one years, his wife at the age of seventy- seven.

The early life of our subject was spent upon a farm, and he attended the public schools of his native land until fourteen years of age, when he en- tered the employ of Richard Key as a farm hand,

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receiving seventeen pounds for his two years' work. The following year he worked on the farm of John Robb, and was with Hon. George Lassel for the same length of time. Returning home, he remained there for about a year, and then served for one year in the British army. The following year he worked on the farm of William Jones, and then went to Thorne, England, where he farmed for John Brad- ley one year. He was again with William Jones until June, 1888, when he sailed from Liverpool for America. On his arrival in New York he came im- mediately to Newington, Conn., and here was in the employ of G. D. Mills for about nine months. Then, in connection with Aaron W. Hall, of Ken- sington, who had come to this country from Eng- land a short time previous, he rented the Mills farm, which they operated for a year. Our subject then bought, of Mr. Mills, a milk route in New Britain, and a year later purchased Charles Chapman's route, in the same place, devoting his entire time to the milk business until April, 1895, when he moved to Beckley and purchased the original Webster homestead, of sixty-two acres, which he placed under a high state of cultivation, and upon which he engaged in general farming. He also had a good milk route in New Britain, and kept thirteen cows for that business. Having sold the above mentioned farm, he now (1900) works it for the new owner. He is not afraid of work, and his success in life is attributable to his industry and good management, for he has received no aid from any outside source.

Mr. Hall was married, Sept. 16, 1890, to Miss Jane Merritt, who was born in Seacroft, England, and they have become the parents of six children : Mary Ellen, John Charles, Annie Isabelle, Mary Alice, Ellen Elizabeth, and one whose name is not given. All are living with the exception of the eldest, who died at the age of six months, and was buried in Newington. The parents attend the Con- gregational Church, and are highly respected by all who know them. Mr. Hall intends taking out his naturalization papers before the election of 1900. He keeps well posted on matters of national import- ance, and his sympathies are with the Republican party.

HENRY WELLS ALLEN. It is a well-known fact that the descendants of our pioneer families occupy, as a rule, honorable positions in life, and the subject of this biography, a prominent agricul- turist of the town of East Windsor, furnishes a noteworthy instance. In his successful career he maintains the prestige of a name which has been associated from an early day with the qualities that constitute good citizenship. He traces his descent from Samuel Allen, a native of Braintree, England, who came to America about 1630, and located in East Windsor about 1635, being one of the first set- tlers there.

Joseph Allen, our subject's great-great-grand-

father, resided on the old Allen homestead, now oc- cupied by Joseph T. Allen.

Samuel Allen was thrice married, and Joshua, grandfather of our subject, was one of the children born to the first union, with Elizabeth Wells.

Joshua Allen was born at the old homestead May 18, 1771, and for many years followed farming on the estate now occupied by Frederick J. Allen, our subject's brother.

Hon. Henry W. Allen, father of our subject, was born at the last mentioned farm, where he made his home throughout life. He was active and in- fluential in local affairs, serving for several years as selectman, and in 1850 he was elected to the State Legislature. He passed away July 22, 1881, at tlie age of seventy years. He married Miss Elizabeth W. Allen, daughter of Elam Allen, and she is still living at the advanced age of eighty-two. They had three children : Marietta Abigail, born May 28, 1837, who died Dec. 6, 1842; Henry W., our sub- ject ; and Frederick J., a farmer at the homestead.

Henry W. Allen was born Oct. 24, 1841, and was reared to farm work under the able direction of his father. He attended the common schools of the town, the high school at Ellington, Conn., the Con- necticut Literary Institute, at Suffield, this county, where he remained two years, and the Westfield In- stitute, at Westfield, Mass., graduating from the latter school in 1858. On his return home he con- tinued to assist in the work of the farm until 1865. when he improved his present property and settled there, engaging in general farming, dairying and tobacco culture. His homestead comprises eighty acres of land, but he owns, altogether, 130 acres in the town. For many years he has been a leading worker in the local Republican organization, and in 1891 he was elected second selectman for the term of one year, with George A. Ellis and E. M. Granger. In 1895 he was again chosen second se- lectman, with the same gentlemen as colleagues, and in 1896 was elected first selectman, with Elisha G. Morton and George A. Ellis.

On Jan. 26, 1865, Mr. Allen married Miss Cyn- thia A. Parsons, daughter of Levi and Cynthia (Allen) Parsons, well-known citizens of East Windsor, and four children have brightened their home : Charles Henry; Herbert P .; Abigail B., wife of William Lathrop, of East Windsor; and Marietta.

WILLIAM ROBERT ROSBROOK, of the firm of Rosbrook & King, leading coal dealers of East Hartford, is a substantial business man and respected citizen. He represents one of the old pioneer families of New York State, his ancestors having settled near White Hall at an early day. His great-grandfather, John Rosbrook, resided there for a time with his brother Gasham, whose descend- ants are now numerous in Rhode Island and Con- necticut.

John Rosbrook, our subject's great-grandfather,

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made his permanent home in Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y., engaged in agriculture. He married a Miss Reeves, a daughter of a Presbyterian min- ister, and had the following children: Harvey was a farmer in Chenango county, N. Y .; Philo was a farmer in the town of Hastings, Oswego Co., N. Y .; Alonzo, Waldo and John Milton settled in Hastings ; and Ezra, our subject's grandfather, was the youngest of the family.

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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 129

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