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 136

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 136

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Mr. Roberts was married in the autumn of 1868 to Miss Ellen Burnham, daughter of Julius and Laura (Hills) Burnham, who bore him four chil- dren as follows: Walter R., at home; Nellie B., now the wife of Herbert A. Judson, of Silver Lane, and the mother of two children, Leon W., and Ellen R. ; J. Wilbur, who was married Aug. 8, 1900, to Miss Jennie Alice House, and is living at the old Robert's homestead ; and Laura H., at home. Mrs. Roberts died Jan. 2, 1882, and was buried at East Hartford. For his second wife Mr. Roberts mar- ried Miss Hattie Gillespie, who was born in North

Blanford, Mass., and from the age of five and one- half years was reared in Hartford.

In politics Mr. Roberts is a Republican in State and National issues, but in local elections the charac- ter and ability of the candidate outweigh political affiliations. He has served as assessor and on the school committee, besides filling various other local offices. He is a farmer of unusual intelligence, is well informed, possessing a good memory, and his knowledge and ability he applies not only to his own material affairs but to the best interests of the com- munity, for he is an eminently public-spirited citi- zen. In his farm work he is modern and scientific, and has always been highly successful. He possesses the strictest integrity, is courteous and affable in manner, and in private life exhibits the same high and commanding characteristics which, as a busi- ness man, have made his life a success.

JASON MONROE TAYLOR. an industrious, enterprising and energetic farmer of Kensington, was born Dec. 7, 1859, in the house where he now lives, a son of George and Harriet Maria (Hale) Taylor, of whom extended mention is made in the sketch of Nelson F. Taylor, elsewhere.

The primary education of our subject was ob- tained in the Kensington schools, and later he was for two years a student in the academy at South- ington. On leaving school, at the age of sixteen years, he began learning the trade of silver plating with the Meriden Silver Plate Co., where he re- mained three years. He then went to Shelton (now Derby), Conn., where he worked for the Derby Silver Plate Co. for the same length of time. The following year he spent on the home farm, and then, in company with his brother, Horace Lester Taylor, he went to Petersburg, Va., going into the grocery business there; but not being pleased with the locality he returned to Berlin a year later, and has since devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, successfully operating the old home farm of 150 acres. He is a thorough and systematic farmer, and due success has not been denied him.

On Oct. 10, 1883, Mr. Taylor married Miss Clara Ellsworth Elliott, who was born Dec. 5, 1860, a daughter of Samuel and Louise (Bonney ) Elliott. Her father was a commercial traveler of Rochester, Mass. Our subject and his wife have two children : Clarence Elliott, born March 6, 1888; and Mildred Louise, born March 26, 1892. Both are now attend- ing the district schools in Kensington. Mrs. Taylor is a consistent member of the Congregational Church of Kensington, the services of which our subject also attends, and the children are members of the Sunday-school. Mr. Taylor usually supports the men and measures of the Democratic party, but is not radical in his political views. He is now serving as registrar of votes, also as member of the consolidated school board, and has been a member of the district school committee and constable for one term. Socially he belongs to Silver City Lodge,

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No. 3, A. O. U. W., of Meriden, and was a member of Kensington Grange until it disbanded. He is a pleasant, genial gentleman, well-liked by his neighbors and all who know him.

HENRY ALVORD GRISWOLD, a retired farmer in the town of Manchester, was born Feb. 14, 1826, on the place which is stilll his home, and has lived a life of industry and usefulness, gaining a prominent place among the substantial citizens of his community.

Mr. Griswold's great-grandfather, White Gris- wold, was born in Connecticut, and married Eliza- beth Cheney, a member of an old Connecticut fam- ily. He entered the American service during the Revolution, was taken prisoner by the British at Phil- adelphia, and died in prison. Our subject's grand- father, Deacon Daniel W. Griswold, was a native of the town of Manchester, and was a clockmaker by trade, carrying on the manufacture of clocks in Manchester for some years. Later he became a manufacturer of powder, and he also engaged in farming to some extent, continuing these vocations until he retired on account of old age.

Edward Griswold, father of Henry A., was born at Manchester Center, Jan. 30, 1793, and grew to manhood in his native place, remaining in the town of his birth until about the time of his marriage, when his father gave him the farm in the town of Manchester, part of which is now owned by his son Henry A. Here he carried on farming for the remainder of his days, passing away March 30, 1864. On Oct. 12, 1819, he wedded Miss Laura Hubbard, of Bolton, who was born Feb. 19, 1799, daughter of Deacon Nathaniel and Eunice ( Alvord) Hubbard. Eight children came to this union, of whom Edward H., born July 15, 1820, died about 1894; Daniel W., born March 30, 1822; Laura, born March 24, 1824, is the wife of William H. Jones, of Manchester; Henry A. is the subject proper of these lines ; Ralph, born July 26, 1829, died Sept. 9, 1846 ; Charles, born Oct. 7, 1832, entered the ministry of the Methodist Church, but subsequently took up the study of medicine, and is now a practic- ing physician in St. Paul, Minn .; Charlotte J., born Jan. 7, 1835, is the widow of John F. Williams ; Mary A., born Nov. II, 1842, has been principal of a public school in Davenport, lowa, for nineteen years.

Henry A. Griswold commenced study in the pioneer school which stood about where Main street crosses the railroad track at Manchester, and which was equipped after the primitive fashion of those days, with slab benches for seats and other rude arrangements. His first teachers were Lenora Brown and Nathaniel Keeney. Later he attended a private school taught by William S. Williams, at Manchester Center, and one taught by Walter McKee, at Buckland's Corners, receiving in all a good, practical training. He was inducted into the mysteries of agriculture on his father's farm, and

was also on the farm of his grandfather part of the time until he reached the age of seventeen, after which he was engaged for eight years in the silk mills of Manchester, which were conducted by Will- iam H. Jones. On July 3, 1849, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Eliza Ann, daughter of Deacon Dan and Phila (Lamphere) Russell, of Ellington, Conn., and the same year they settled on the place which has ever since been his home-part of the old homestead

Mr. Griswold engaged in general farming and trucking, by industry and thrifty management gain- ing a comfortable living from his land, which he improved constantly until it became a valuable property, much of which he has since sold in small lots for building purposes. He has given strict attention to the cultivation of his farm, but has also found time to interest himself in affairs of local pub- lic importance, and has held various town offices, gaining the good-will of all by his intelligent and faithful discharge of the duties connected with his official positions. For two years he served as selectman, for several years as a member of the board of relief, and for three terms as assessor, proving himself as efficient as he is public-spirited. His political support has always been given to the Republican party. Mr. Griswold has been a hard worker all his life, but like his father he has always practiced temperance in all things, having never used intoxicating liquors or tobacco in any form ; he is well preserved in spite of his seventy-four years. He abandoned active work several years ago, and now lives in peaceful and quiet enjoyment of the competence which rewarded his years of toil, honored and esteemed by his neighbors and numer- our friends.

To Mr. and Mrs. Griswold was born one daugh- ter, Alice E., who is now the wife of Whitmore Emmons, of Hartford, and they have one daughter, Katherine Louise Emmons. Mrs. Griswold, the mother of Mrs. Alice E. Emmons, dying in 1895, Mr. Griswold, for his second wife, wedded, Sept. 7, 1897, Mrs. Sarah A. Barron, widow of Alfred Barron, and daughter of Thomas Crossley. Mr. Griswold is an active member of the Congregational Church, which he joined in early manhood, and has been prominent in the work of the second Congre- gational Church of Manchester, in which he has served as deacon for eighteen years. His father also belonged to that denomination. Our subject has a comfortable, pleasant home, and the large maple trees which stand in front of his residence were planted by his own hand.

CHRISTIAN HANDEL, one of the best farm- ers of Hartford county, one whose farm and build- ings by their exceedingly well-kept appearance fur- nish unmistakable evidence of thrift, system and the best of management, is a German by birth, and one of the oldest Germans in East Hartford. He came to the United States with his parents when a

Henry Griswold

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boy, and readily adopted American habits and cus- toms, while retaining the many sterling qualities of his native land. His loyalty to this to him new country was shown by his long and faithful service as a soldier during the Civil war.

Mr. Handel was born in Wittenberg, Germany, Jan. 19, 1840, son of Philip A. and Christina ( Deck- er) Handel. The father was born in Wittenberg in: 1813, son of Philip Handel, a business man, who was proprietor of a hotel, a dealer in horses, and a man of considerable importance in his locality. The father of our subject was reared as a farmer boy. His eldest daughter, Fredericka, first came to Amer- ica, and the favorable reports of the new land which she sent home brought her father and our subject, who sailed in June, 1853, the mother following in 1855. Upon his arrival at New York in 1853, after a voyage of forty-two days, Philip Handel found temporary employment, but in January, 1854, he came to Glastonbury, Conn., where he worked for a time in a shoddy factory. In 1856 he located at Curtisville (now Naubuc), and there worked in the spoon and spectacle factory for some time. In 1857 he bought from Daniel Winslow the farm at the corner of Maple and Forbes streets, in East Hartford. In 1865 he built the house, barn and other buildings, and there on the farm he remained until his death. In 1863 he returned to Germany on a business trip, and was absent ten months. He died Jan. 1, 1880, aged sixty-seven years, and was buried in Hockanum cemetery. His wife sur- vived him six months. In politics Philip Handel was a Democrat. He was public-spirited and took a deep interest in all worthy movements, was an industrious, hard-working citizen, and at his death left an honored name and a competence to his family. His children were as follows: Fredericka (now Mrs. Fred Wuterich, of Meriden) ; Jacob, a mechanic, who, while a foreman in the Parker shop, at Meriden, Conn., was accidentally killed by a stove falling upon him from a wagon; Christian, the subject of this sketch ; Paulina (Mrs. Charles Sorries, of South Meriden, Conn. ) ; Louise (Mrs. Charles Youch, of Hockanum, Conn.) ; Gottleib, a farmer of East Hartford; Emma (Mrs. Joseph Hirth, of Hartford) ; Bertha, of Hartford; and Katie (Mrs. Benjamin Fulton, of Hartford).

As a boy Christian Handel, our subject, fully knew the meaning of toil. He attended the schools of his native land, and when he came to America with his father in 1853, at the age of thirteen years, he found employment in a New York restaurant. He accompanied his father to Hartford by boat and to Glastonbury by stage, and for two years was employed in a shoddy mill at Eagleville, the first year at $5 per month and the second year at $8 per month. He then went to Curtisville, and for over a year was employed in the factory there. After a difference with his "boss" he engaged for a time in farming, and later worked at the trade of bur- nisher at Naubuc, Meriden and elsewhere.

In the spring of 1861, at the first call for troops, Christian Handel enlisted in Company B, Ist Regi- ment Conn. V. I., for the three-months' service, and his first engagement was at Bull Run. At the ex- piration of his service he re-enlisted for three years in Company H, 6th Conn. V. I., becoming sergeant. Proceeding from Hartford to Washington, the regi- ment was forwarded to Hilton Head, S. C. Sergt. Handel remained with the regiment until its dis- charge, participating in its various engagements. For a time he was detached on special duty in the provost marshal's department at Hilton Head. He was discharged in September, 1864.

Returning home, Mr. Handel remained on the farm for a time with his father. During the win- ter of 1864-65 he helped to cut the timber to build the house and barn, which were the first buildings on the farm that he now occupies. In May, 1865, he went to Meriden, and there at No. 297 Main street, he successfully conducted a hotel business until 1882. In that year he came to Hockanum, bought out the heirs of the home farm, and became a prosperous and successful farmer.

On July 14, 1866, Mr. Handel married Miss Paulina Wuterich, a native of Wittenberg, Ger- many, daughter of Frederick Wuterich, coming to the United States when twelve years of age. She proved a worthy helpmeet of her husband. Her death occurred on the farm April 20, 1889. To Mr. and Mrs. Handel were born the following chil- dren: Edward, of Hockanum; Bertha, at home; Rosa, a dressmaker of Hartford; Mary ; Christian F .; Albert, at home; Pauline, a school teacher ; William, an employe in the Hartford Life Insurance Co .; and Florence.

In politics Mr. Handel has usually voted the Democratic ticket, but he is independent, and selects the best man regardless of politics. In the presi- dential campaign of 1896 he voted for William Mc- Kinley. He is a member of Titona Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Meriden. In physique he is a man of im- posing presence, but notwithstanding his giant frame he is one of the most genial and companionable men to be found in East Hartford. He has displayed marked ability as a farmer. He possesses every convenience for a well-regulated farm, is progres- sive in his methods, engages extensively in tobacco raising and in dairying, and with the aid of his intelligent and industrious children is bringing riches from one of the finest tobacco farms in the Connecticut valley, than which there is none better kept, none in a higher state of cultivation. Mr. Handel has won his way from poverty to the en- viable position which he now occupies, and is a splendid instance of the self-made man.

GEORGE EARL SAMSON. Many of the early New Englanders were sea-faring men. They were also men of intellectual force and education. The subject of this sketch, a substantial and influ- ental farmer of Glastonbury, has an ancestry in

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which appeared both the adventurous spirit of the hardy sailor and the love of learning so deeply in- stilled in the Puritan character.

Zadoc Samson, his grandfather, was a native of Plymouth, Mass., a son of a wealthy citizen in whose lineage were many traditions of active and gallant achievements on sea. Zadoc had a taste for an education, and entering Dartmouth College in due time completed the course and graduated. A brother served in the Revolutionary cause, and was with Paul Jones in the memorable naval conflict between the "Bonhomme Richard" and the "Ser- apis," in the English channel. Prior to the war of 1812 Zadoc Samson entered into a contract to fur- nish the government with ammunition and other supplies. The hostilities increased his obligations so tremenduously that he had to make large prep- arations at great expense to increase the amount, and the termination of the war brought him heavy loss. He then located at Glastonbury, on Main street, immediately north of the Thaddeus Wells home, where he practiced his profession, that of medicine. He became a man of great prominence, and remained in Glastonbury until his death, in 1830, at the age of sixty-seven. He married Mrs. Anna Talcott Welles, a native of Glastonbury, and to them were born five children: Sophia, who mar- ried Benjamin Moseley, a farmer of Glastonbury ; William, who married Dorothy House, and was a sea-faring man, occupying for many years the old homestead at Glastonbury ; Guy, who married Emma Gaines, and was a farmer of Glastonbury; Martha, who married Henry Talcott, of Glastonbury; and Earl, the father of our subject.

Earl Samson was born in Glastonbury about 1812. He received a good district-school education, and when a young man went on a merchant ship and sailed to various parts of the world. He began as a common sailor, and soon became a skillful mariner, later in life commanding a number of vessels. Re- tiring from the water, he purchased the farm in Glastonbury now occupied by Michael Liebler, and there spent the remaining years of his life, dying in 1892. He married Mary Sellew, daughter of Russell and Polly (Loveland) Sellew, and to them were born five children: Mary, who married Charles Bogue, a mechanic, who enlisted in a Kan- sas regiment during the Civil war, and was killed in that State, while on a scouting expedition ; George Earl, our subject; Eugene, who is married and lives in Jersey City, N. J., a well-known pilot ; Adel- bert, who married Harriet House, and was a farmer of Glastonbury until his death, in 1892; and Anna, who married Howard Ensign, and lives in East Hartford.

George Earl Samson was born April 24, 1842, in Curtisville (now Naubuc), Glastonbury, Conn. His education was received in the district schools, and when a young man he had a strong inclination to go to sea, but poor health prevented. For sev- eral years he worked in a spectacle factory near his

home, then went to New Haven, and for about nine years was foreman in the factory of J. E. Spencer. Returning to Glastonbury, he conducted a milk route for a time, and then engaged in farming, at the same time dealing in wood. He purchased his present farm at Addison, cleared it of a considerable amount of timber, erected all the buildings, and now has one of the best farms in the neighborhood. He very successfully carries on tobacco raising and dairy farming.

Mr. Samson was married, in 1866, to Miss Katlı- erine Horsley, a native of England, who when a child came to America. Two children have blessed this union : Eugene, who married, in October, 1898, Miss Allena Taylor, a native of South Manchester, and lives at Addison; and Katherine, at home. In politics Mr. Samson is a Democrat, and he has been elected to many of the local offices of responsibility and trust. Himself and family are members of the Episcopal Church, in which he has served in a num- ber of official capacities. He has been a prominent member of Hillstown Grange, No. 87, of which he was master for several years, and was made a member of Dascam Lodge, No. 86, F. & A. M., thirty-five years ago. Mr. Samson is a man of pleas- ant and impressive address, in whom the courtesies and kindnesses of disposition are predominant ; but though quiet in manner he is firm in principle and conviction, and his name throughout the community is held in the highest esteem.

CARL FRANK MELCHERT, a leading florist of Berlin, comes from the Fatherland, and the strongest and most creditable characteristics of the Teutonic race have been marked elements in his life, and have enabled him to win success in the face of opposing circumstances. He possesses the energy and determination which mark the people of Germany, and by the exercise of his powers he has steadily progressed, and is now at the head of a prosperous business.

Mr. Melchert was born in Pomerania, Germany, April 22, 1852, a son of August and Augusta (Krenke) Melchert, who spent their entire lives in Germany. The father was also a florist. Until six- teen years of age our subject attended school in his native land, and then spent two years in learn- ing the florist's trade with a Mr. Gardner. As a florist he then had charge of a private garden for a year and a half, and at the end of that time joined the German army, in which he served for three years, taking part in the war with France. He was shot during that conflict, and for nine weeks was unfit for duty. After leaving the army he went to Russia, where he was florist in a private family for three years, and then, rather than join the Rus- sian army, he returned to Germany.

On May 24, 1878, Mr. Melchert married Miss Amelia Kudrian, who was born in Pomerania, Ger- many, May 6, 1851, a daughter of Oliver and Chiar- lotte (Gorkow) Kudrian. To them were born the

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following children: Elsbeth Charlotte, born Feb. 12, 1879, died Oct. 25, 1879, and was buried in Germany ; Paul Robert, born Feb. 13, 1881, is a cadet engineer in the United States Government service, and is now in the Philippines; Francisco Charlotte, born in Stamford, Conn., Dec. 26, 1885, is at home; Wonder Pauline, born Nov. 25, 1887, is deceased; Carl Arthur, born April 9, 1889, is at home; and Walter Robert, born March 1, 1892, died July 15, 1892.

Mr. Melchert was employed as a private florist in Germany until April 22, 1881, when he sailed from Belgium for London, and from there went to Liverpool, where he took passage on a White Star liner, arriving in New York on May 13, after a very rough voyage. He was first employed as a florist at Jamaica, Long Island, by John Sweink, a broker of New York, and then came to Stamford, Conn., where he served in the same capacity with E. W. Peck for two years, and W. L. Brooks for three years. Going to Meriden, he was employed as gardener by Edward Miller for six months, and at the end of that time embarked in business on his own account. On Oct. 1, 1898, he purchased A. A. Weldon's place, in the southern part of Ber- lin, consisting of five acres of ground and green- houses. He has made many improvements in the property since taking possession, and now has six He raises all kinds of garden large greenhouses. vegetables, besides doing a large wholesale florist business, selling his flowers in Meriden. Long ex- perience has made him thoroughly conversant with the business, and he is meeting with well-deserved success. He has ever been a hard-working man, and his prosperity is due entirely to his industry, enterprise and perseverance. He takes an active part in agricultural matters.

Politically Mr. Melchert is a stanch Republican. He attends the First Baptist Church of Meriden, of which all the family are members, and contributes his share to the work of the church. He is a mem- ber of the American Rose Society; of Harmonia Lodge, No. 2, of Meriden ; and of the Insurance Society of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of the same place.

EDWARD GRISWOLD was born March 26, 1848, in the town of Manchester, Hartford coun- ty, son of Daniel Griswold, of whom a more con- plete sketch is given in the biography of H. A. Griswold.

Edward Griswold attended the common schools until he was sixteen years of age, but his broader, higher, truer education has been acquired through his contact and conflict with the world. After leav- ing school, while vet a mere bov, he began life's struggle as an employe in Keeney & Wood's paper mill, where he remained for eighteen months. His next employment was as a driver for Bunce & Cheney, of South Manchester, Mr. Griswold con- tinuing in their service until 1881, when he de-

termined to make a business venture for himself, and with that end in view rented the coal yard of Norman Loomis. To borrow an expression from the forcible slang of the day, "he is still doing busi- ness at the old stand." His initiative trade was a modest, humble sort, but industry, sagacity and in- tegrity have steadily enlarged its volume until he has become an important factor in the coal business of the locality, both wholesale and retail, his annual sales summing up fully seven thousand tons.

Mr. Griswold is a Republican in politics ; while not a member of any church, by profession, his Christian sympathies manifest themselves along lib- eral lines and broad parallels. His charity, while unostentatious, is generous, and his purse-strings are never tightly drawn against the proper appeal of any denomination. On May 10, 1874, he was married to Miss Estella Hosmer.

ALMERON W. WICKHAM, formerly super- intendent of the Hartford Manilla Paper Co.'s Woodland Mills, at Burnside, is a representative self-made man, efficient and self-reliant, straight- forward in all his dealings with men, and an ex- cellent type of the born and bred New Englander, the Wickham family being one of the oldest in Con- necticut. Our subject was born May 21, 1862, in the town of Manchester, Hartford county, son of William P. and Ann S. (Sanders) Wickham, grand- son of John and Melinda (Colver) Wickham, and great-grandson of Hezekiah Wickham. The an- cestry is more fully spoken of elsewhere.

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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 136

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