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 135

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 135

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(VI) Lot Stanley was born March 3, 1752, and died March 8, 1807. He was one of the first in Connecticut to manufacture fur hats, and for many years he carried on the business successfully. His wife, Rhoda Wadsworth, daughter of Timothy and Mary (Cowles) Wadsworth, of Farmington, was born Sept. 22, 1754, and died May 13, 1819. Their children were: Ira, born Oct. 12, 1773, married Abi Langdon ; Ursula, born Jan. 24, 1776, married John Judd; Amon is mentioned below; Sally, born April 15, 1780, married Samuel Sheldon; Lucy, born July II, 1782, married William Kelsey; Rhoda, born July 28, 1783, never married; Lot, born Jan. 3, 1785, died Feb. 8, 1791 ; Almira, born Dec. 3, 1786, married Ansel Stocking; James, born July 1, 1789, died November, 1789; Polly, born Feb. 13, 1791, married Ezra Carter ; Dolly, born November, 1792, died June, 1793 ; Dolly, born Feb. 15, 1794, married Francis IIart ; Lot, born Dec. 6, 1795, never married ; Martha, born Sept. 22, 1797, was killed in a cider- mill Sept. 8, 1803.

(VII) Amon Stanley, our subject's great-grand- father, was born March 10, 1778, and died Feb. 2, 1846. On October 10, 1802, he married Abi North, daughter of Capt. James and Rhoda (Judd) North. The following children were born to them: Julia, born Dec. 24, 1803, did not marry; Thomas, born Sept. 22, 1805, married twice; Henry is mentioned below; James, born Oct. 22, 1809, died in infancy ; James, born March 31, 1813, married three times ; Augustus, born April 11, 1814, married Alvira A. Conklin ; Timothy Wadsworth, born July 13, 181-, married twice; Lot, born July 8, 1820, died Nov. 12, 1839; Martha, born Aug. 11, 1822, married Au- gustus W. North ; Amelia, born Jan. 1, 1825, married Henry Walter; Mary Antoniette, born Sept. 22, 1828, died May 16, 1838. As a young man Amon Stanley engaged in the manufacture of fur hats in partnership with his father, and at the death of the latter assumed charge of the business. HIe em- ployed several hands, and every winter made one or more journeys to what was then "the West," em- bracing central and western New York. He was accustomed to take with him a load of hats which he would exchange for beaver and other furs that were then plentiful in all that region. There was also something of a home market, but as the bodies of the hats were made of beaver fur, well felted to- gether, they lasted a lifetime. It needed, therefore, a large territory to make a sufficient market for the goods. An old-fashioned felt-crowned hat would

astonish the boys of the present generation. Amon Stanley bought out his father's homestead and farm from the other heirs, and, there being fourteen of the children, his own portion was so small that it was nearly the same as buying a new farm. The price he paid for it was high. For one piece of twelve acres, which he bought from his brother Lot, he paid twelve hundred dollars. At the present time it would not bring five hundred. He also car- ried on the business ot distilling cider-brandy, hav- ing large orchards of apples which were worth little for any other purpose. The business was then per- fectly respectable. Ilis wife, however, a sister of the brothers, James Seth, Alvin and Henry North, had many scruples about it being right. At length she went to her minister, Rev. Newton Skinner, one of the most godly men of his time, for advice. "Why, madam," said he, "it is a lawful calling." He, like many of that day, was also a farmer, and brought his cider to the distillery to exchange for brandy, which he furnished to his men in haying time. But Mrs. Stanley was not satisfied ; the matter still agitated her conscience. At length her hus- band came to the conclusion that she was right, and sold the distillery, and there was great joy in the family. But his peace was of short continuance. He had never allowed any idlers about the place, selling the liquor only at wholesale to the merchants in Hartford and New York, while the new-comers were drinking men, and the distillery became the resort of all the low characters in the neighborhood. The conscience of the family was disturbed again, and they all came to the conclusion to buy back the property. The owner was willing to sell at an ad- vance on the price he gave for it, making it a con- dition, however, that Mr. Stanley would exchange for it, in part, a valuable piece of woodland, which was the apple of his eye, as all woodland was to the farmers of those days. The hard condition was ac- cepted and the distillery was his own again. The concern was at once broken up. The great cider- tubs were sold for water cisterns; the copper stills were loaded on ox-carts, and all the cattle and steers of the farm drew them in triumph to the brass fac- tory of North & Stanley, in the village. The boys who were at home assisted in driving the team, and on reaching the factory waited till the stills were cut up, preparatory to be cast into sleigh-bells and other useful articles. It was a triumph of principle over both education and interest, worthy to be re- corded on a monument "more lasting than brass."

(VIII) Henry Stanley, our subject's grand- father, and the third child of Amon Stanley, was born Sept. 24, 1807, and died May 3, 1884. At an early age he left the farm to engage in business, and before he reached his majority he was a partner with Alvin North in the manufacture of plated goods. After two years he engaged in business with Seth J. North and John Stanley, the firm continuing many years under the names of North, Stanley & Co., North, Smith & Stanley, and Henry Stanley & Co .;

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the latter, composed of three brothers, Henry, Au- gustus and Timothy W., was merged into the Rus- sell & Erwin Manufacturing Co., in which Henry Stanley was a large stockholder, and served as a director until his death. He and C. H. Seymour were the founders of the New Britain Knitting Co., of which for four years he was president and manager. He was one of the chief founders of the American Hosiery Co., and its president, as he also was of the Stanley Rule & Level Co., and of the Stanley Works. After the death of F. T. Stanley, of the Willimantic Linen Co., he became a leading stockholder and director, and was also identified with other manufacturing concerns. His character was especially distinguished by an unquestioned integ- rity, and an admirable calmness and poise which en- abled him to pass through the financial crises of his long business career without being discouraged by reverses or unduly elated by success, illustrating in his life the truth of the old adage, "All things are possible to him who waits." In manner he was genial though somewhat reticent, while he had a marked appreciation for all that was beautiful in nature and art. An illustration of this may be seen in the fine mansion erected by him on South Main street a few years before his death, with the handsome grounds attached. Of his ample wealth he gave liberally and judiciously to philanthropic, educational and religious objects, and he spent money freely to promote the material interests of his native town. In centennial year, 1876, he set out one hundred shade trees in Walnut Hill Park, ex- tending from West Main along the driveway to near the summit of the hill. Through his life he was deeply interested in politics, maintaining ever the interest and honor of his country as a patriotic citizen. He united with the church in youth, and upon the separation of the South Church, in 1842, was one of the first members.

On June 10, 1829, Mr. Stanley married Miss Eliza S. North, daughter of Seth J. and Elizabeth North. After her death he married, on Sept. 5, 1838. Miss Catherine A. Stanley, daughter of Gad and Chloe Stanley. By his first marriage he had two sons: Walter Henry, our subject's father ; and Theodore Augustus, born July 22, 1833. The latter was a soldier in the Civil war, serving as second lieutenant in Company F, 14th Conn. V. I. In the absence of his captain he bravely led his com- pany in the battle of Fredericksburg. Va., where he was mortally wounded. He died Dec. 31, 1852, at Washington, D. C., and was buried in New Britain with military honors, Jan. 5, 1863. By the second marriage there were four children: Mary Louisa, born May 8, 1840, died Sept. 9, 1840 : Louisa Catherine .. born April 7, 1842, died March 26, 1847 : Frederick North, born March 17, 1844, married (first) Mary Welch, ( second) Alice Moore, and died Sept. 28. 1900. Miss Catherine Amelia, born Oct. 10. 1849, resides at the family residence on South Main street, New Britain. Mrs. Catherine A.

Stanley was during most of her life in delicate health, but her mental activity, devotion to her family, and unselfish interest in all who needed her sympathy and help, more than compensated for her physical weakness. As a wife and mother, and in all the relations of life, she possessed the confidence and love not only of her family, but of many who enjoying the hospitality of their pleasant home. She died in November, 1881, aged seventy years.

(IX) Walter Henry Stanley, the father of our subject, was born June 25, 1830, and is now a leading dairy farmer of New Britain, also has large investments in the manufacturing interests of that locality. On Sept. 7, 1853, he married Miss Mary J. Peck, daughter of Elnathan and Mary (Dewey) Peck. They have had eight childern; William North, born March 4, 1855, died Feb. 12. 1857; Albert Walter, born June 21, 1857; Herbert Au- gustus, born Jan. 21, 1860, died Feb. 1. 1883 ; Isabel, born Jan. 19, 1862; Theodore Alexander, our sub- ject ; Robert Henry, born May 1, 1869; Mortimer Dewey, born April 27, 1871, and Walter Peck, born Jan. 18, 1874.

(X) Theodore A. Stanley was born March 18, 1864, in New Britain, and the first school that he remembers was a private school conducted by Miss Mary Porter, in a barn belonging to Charles Lewis. Later Miss Porter built a small school house on Pine street, where he attended until prepared to enter the second class in the Burritt school. He passed through the upper grades of the grammar schools, and took the high-school course under Prof. John H. Peck, graduating in 1883. In the fall of the same year he entered the Sophomore year of the Agricultural College at Lansing, Mich., where he remained three years, graduating in 1886. To the sound and thorough instruction received in this in- stitution may be attributed much of his success in the management of his farm, but he has never ceased to be an ardent investigator in his line of work, testing and applying new theories that arise, and adopting all ideas of value. In the winter of 1893-94 he spent three months in Madison University, study- ing dairy bacteriology and hygiene, and the prod- uct of his admirably conducted dairy finds ready sale in New Britain. On leaving the Agricultural College, in 1886, he returned home, and in the fol- lowing year took charge of 132 acres of the old Stanley farm. This was not in compact form, and after a time he sold a portion and bought other land adjoining that retained. His present homestead comprises 130 acres, and his purchase of the Gustave Ellis farm and the Daniel Webster property, near Berlin, brings his real estate holdings to about 500 acres. Sixteeen men are employed by him the year round, his dairy of 120 cows requiring constant attention. He is a member of the State Dairymen's Association, and also belongs to the Burritt Grange, his exhibits and scholarly and thoughtful addresses at the regular meetings of both societies being heart- ily appreciated by his fellow workers. Mr. Stanley

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manages to find time for varied interests, and is fond of photography, in which he became proficient while in the Agricultural College.

For some years Mr. Stanley was a member of Company I, Ist Conn. N. G., enlisting at the time of the reorganization, and serving as lieutenant and first lieutenant until his resignation, in November, 1894. In politics he has always been a Republican, and in 1893 and 1894 he served as councilman from the Second ward of New Britain. From June, 1894, to June, 1896, he served on the board of assessors, and in 1898 he was on the board of relief. Socially he and his family are prominent, and he belongs to the Royal Arcanum at New Britain.

In 1888 Mr. Stanley married Miss Sadie Mc- Louth, daughter of Prof. Lewis McLouth, formerly connected with the Agricultural College of Michi- gan and the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, Mich., and now the head of the scientific department of Brisbane Walker's Cosmopolitan University. Five children brighten his home: Lawrence, Theo- dore, Marion, Catherine and Alexander.

CHARLES SYBASTIEN LIEGEY, one of the most intelligent, thrifty and successful agricultur- ists of Berlin, was born in Loraine, in Haraucourt ( Meurthe ), France, March 13, 1836, a son of Charles and Mary (Caron) Liegey, also natives of that province, the former born in 1811 in Buissoncourt, the latter in 1812 in Haraucourt. Both died in France. They had a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters. The father was a farmer and wine-maker, in medium circumstances.

Our subject was reared upon a farm, and began his education in the common schools of his native land, but later attended a normal school, from which he graduated in 1856 with the highest honors, receiving a first degree diploma. Subsequently he successfully engaged in teaching in the public schools of France for seventeen years, and then taught mathematics and history in a private college for two years. Deciding to try his fortune in the New World, he sailed from Antwerp Aug. 16, 1874, and landed in New York on Sept. I. He came direct to New Britain, Conn., and entered the em- ploy of Landers, Frary & Clark, as polisher, remain- ing with them for about seventeen years. Resign- ing his position in 1891, he removed to Berlin, and purchased from Samuel Talmadge thirty-five acres of land upon which he has made a number of sub- stantial improvements, building new barns, out- buildings, cellars, etc. He has also set out 2.500 fruit trees, and has a fine vineyard covering six acres, the grapes from which he manufactures into an ex- cellent quality of wine. He has improved this also, and has 2,500 seedlings, of different varieties, all good bearers. In 1898 he made 3,000 gallons of wine, though part of the vines were young, selling mostly to private families in the surrounding towns.

Mr. Liegey was married, May 8, 1861, to Miss Leonie Gouthiere, who was born in 1839 in Jean-

delaincourt. Before leaving France two children were born to them: Charles Abel, born Aug. 6, 1862, died Aug. 28, 1896, in France ; he was a fine scholar, graduating in New Britain in 1879. Leon Francois, born April 10, 1868, in Sivry, Meurthe, France, wedded Mary Kennedy, of New Britain, Conn., who was born in February, 1868, in Ireland, parish of Broadford, County Clare, and they have two children-Ellen, born June 21, 1897; and Martine Virginia, born Aug. 21, 1898. This son began his education before leaving France. In May, 1875, at the age of seven years, he sailed from Antwerp, and arrived in New York the latter part of that month. He resumed his studies in New Britain, Conn., and remained in school until thir- teen years of age, when he entered the shop with his father and worked as a polisher until the spring of 1898. He now. has charge of his father's prop- erty in New Britain, and also looks after his own real-estate interests. He is a member of Court Prosperity, Independent Order of Forresters of America, at New Britain, and he and his wife are consistent members and liberal supporters of St. Mary's Catholic Church of that place. In politics he is independent.

Our subject was naturalized at New Britain, in 1880, but has never become identified with any po- litical party, endeavoring to vote for the best man, whether he be a Republican or Democrat. In France he was a Republican. He has always re- fused office, preferring to devote his undivided at- tention to his business interests. He has never had occasion to regret his emigration to America, for here he has prospered and has made many friends, who esteem him highly for his sterling worth. His vineyard is one of the finest in the State, and he manufactures a wine of superior quality. He is a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church of Ken- sington, and he also belongs to the Pomological Society of Connecticut, to Berlin Grange, and to the Board of Trade of Berlin. His wife has been an invalid for twenty years.

FREDERICK SPLETTSTOESZER. This gentleman worthily illustrates the commonly ac- cepted view of the character of the enterprising German citizen, who has come to this country empty-handed, and through his own well-directed efforts has secured a comfortable competence. He now makes his home in Berlin, Hartford county, and is successfully engaged in farming.

Our subject was born in Germany March 11, 1841, and is a son of John Splettstoeszer, also a farmer by occupation, who was born Feb. 3, 1803, and spent his entire life in that country. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Louise Sedoe, was also born in Germany, in 1812, and died there. Our subject was reared upon his father's farm, and attended the public schools of his native land until fourteen years of age. The following year he had charge of the cows upon his grandmother's place,

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and on his return home worked as a teamster for his father. Later he was employed as a striker in a brickyard where the bricks were made by hand, and after remaining there ten years he took charge of the place and engaged in the manufacture of brick on his own account for five years.

On July 6, 1884, Mr. Splettstoeszer sailed from Hamburg for the United States, and arrived in New York City on the 20th of that month. He came direct to Berlin, Hartford Co., Conn., and found employment in the brickyard of M. E. Jacobs, where he remained for five years. At the end of that time he purchased the Norris Bailey farm, of forty-five acres in Berlin, and has since engaged in agricultural pursuits with good success, raising po- tatoes, corn, rye, oats, etc.

Mr. Splettstoeszer was married, March 27, 1873, to Miss Ernestina Hideman, also a native of Ger- many, and to them were born three children: (1) Eda Anna, born Jan. 5, 1874, is the wife of Alfred Turner, an employc in the William L. Davis brick- yard, of Berlin, and they have one child, Albert Frederick, born May 3, 1898. (2) Herman Ernest, born Jan. 17, 1878, and (3) Emma Elizabeth, born May 3, 1881, have been educated in the schools of Berlin, and are at home with their parents. The family attend the Congregational Church, of which the children are members, and since taking out his naturalization papers, in 1891, Mr. Splettstocszer has affiliated with the Democratic party, though he finds little time to devote to politics aside from voting.

REV.CHARLES P. CROFT, now a retired min- ister of the Congregational Church, is a resident of Weatogue, Simsbury. Ill health has temporarily, at least, compelled a cessation of steady pastoral work, but has not checked the usefulness of a man, whose forceful utterances, winning ways and kindly sym- pathy make him friends wherever he is known.

The ancestry of Rev. Mr. Croft is of that sturdy German stock which more than a century ago, and in Colonial times, peopled the fertile valleys of Pennsylvania with a thrifty race. James Croft, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of the north of Germany, in whom dwelt a spirit of liberty and achicvement. Prior to the Revolution- ary war he crossed the ocean, and in the struggling colonies found the proper sphere for the develop- ment of his manhood. When independence was de- clared he bore arms for his adopted country. For three years he was a member of the New York militia, serving from April 10, 1778, to April 10, 178I, as a corporal, under Capt. Jonathan Hallett and Col. Philip Cortlandt. When hostilities ceased he returned to the peaceful industry of farm life. Ilis son, John Croft, grandfather of our subject, was a lifelong resident of Putnam Valley, in Put- nam county, N. Y. He followed farming, and be- came an extensive land owner, living to a ripe old age, and passing to his cternal rest amidst the scenes

of his picturesque home among the hills of the Em- pire State.

There, in Putnam county, was born Matthias Croft, the father of our subject, in the year 1809. He adopted the vocation of his father and his grand- father, and became a prosperous and successful farmer and merchant of Putnam Valley. In poli- tics he was a Whig and later a Republican. Ac- cepting the religious faith of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, he for over fifty years held office in that church, and was one of the stanchest and most con- sistent member of the congregation. He married in Putnam county, Maria Chapman, a native of the same county, and she bore him seven children : Mary Jane, widow of Reuben Smith, a carpet mer- chant of New York City; Harriet, who married Theodore Travis, of Putnam county; William H., a merchant of Peekskill, N. Y .; Charles P., subject of this sketch; Hannah, wife of Robert Strong ; Silas C., surveyor of the port of New York; and Francis D., a carpet merchant of New York City. The mother died in 1883, in the faith which had been her consolation through life and the guide of a noble and consistent endeavor. After the death of his wife Matthias Croft, in 1884, retired from active life and spent his declining years at Peekskill, N. Y., where he died in 1899, at the ripe age of ninety years.

Rev. Charles P. Croft was born in Putnam Val- ley, Putnam Co. N. Y. After a course in the pub- lic schools, he attended the military academy at Peekskill, N. Y., Charlotteville Seminary, Charlotte- ville, N. Y., and Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., from which institution he was graduated in 1869; the same ycar he was called to serve the Methodist Episcopal Church of Simsbury, Conn. Here he remained three years. In 1872 he became a minister of the Congregational Church, and was ordained at Avon, Conn. He was pastor success- ively to congregations at Torrington, Watertown and at Terre Haute, Ind. At the latter charge his health failed. He resigned the pastorate, and re- turned in 1884 to Weatogue, Simsbury, where he is now living a retired life. Frequent calls, however, are made upon him as a supply, and that work is making the retirement in which he lives more nom- inal than real. Rev. Mr. Croft possesses fine liter- ary taste and ability, and as a pulpit orator he is eloquent and convincing.

In politics Rev. Mr. Croft is a Republican. He is a member of the F. & A. M., and his many estima- ble personal traits have woven the bonds of friend- ship and good-will among all classes of men. He married at Simsbury, in 1872, Julia Mather, daugh- ter of Col. William and Emma ( Phelps) Mather, and granddaughter of Deacon William and Anna (Lewis) Mather, of Simsbury.

LEVERETT AUSTIN SANFORD, one of Bristol's most skilled machinists, was born in that town Oct. 17, 1837, and is a son of David Austin

Charles Pitan Croft-

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represents in the present generation the same prin- ciples and the same elevated standard of citizenship that were lived by his forefathers. The ancestral history of Mr. Roberts and that of his father, Ira T. Roberts, appear elsewhere.

Our subject was born near Silver Lane, in the town of East Hartford, Nov. 3, 1847, son of Ira T. and Charlotte Corinthia (Cowles) Roberts. He is of the sixth generation from William Roberts, the founder of the family in America, the line of de- scent being through (2) Benjamin, son of William and Dorothy (Forbes) Roberts, born March 8, 1698; (3) George, born Nov. 22, 1752; (4) Ozias, born Aug. 10, 1785; (5) Ira T., born Feb. 10, 1817; to (6) Martin, our subject.

The latter was reared upon his father's farm in East Hartford. He attended the district schools until he was fourteen years of age, his first teachers being Miss Mary Pratt and J. O. Hurlburt; Tim- othy Steel and Dr. Fuller were also among his early instructors. For these early schools Mr. Roberts has only the kindest remembrances. He was an apt pupil, excelling especially in mathematics, in which branch it was seldom that he was not at the head of his class. He attended the East Hartford school under Major Camp, and passed examination for ad- mission to the Hartford high school; but he did not attend. The duties of the farm proved the obstacle to further education in the schools. He was raised a farmer boy and did not shirk its unin- viting toil. At seventeen he was competent to take the scythe and keep in line with old and experienced hands. The disciplinary training he received from his father was of great importance to him in after life. He was encouraged when a young man to engage in farm work with his brothers, and was associated with them at different times in carrying on the farm. He first made a business arrangement of that character with his brother William. Throughout the many years of his associated farm- ing only the most harmonious relationship existed. In 1882 Mr. Roberts began to operate a farm alone, and has since then continued most successfully. He has built his present pleasant home and the other buildings on the farm. For years he gave especial attention to market gardening, but in recent years he has been devoted more largely to tobacco culture.

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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 135

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