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 14

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 14

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Our subject's father, Edward Twichell, was born in Wolcott Sept. 5, 1810, and was there reared and educated. In early manhood he located in Plants- ville, where he learned the tanner's and currier's trade with Timothy Higgins; later, in partnership with his preceptor, he engaged in that business, and, branching out, also engaged in the manufacture

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of leather belting. Retiring from that business in 1850, Mr. Twichell embarked in the manufacture of carriage hardware with Henry D. Smith, under the firm name of H. D. Smith & Co., and was interested in that business up to the time of his death, in the spring of 1861. He married Selina D. Carter, a daughter of Reuben Carter, of Wolcott, and to them were born three children who reached years of ma- turity : Joseph Hopkins, a Congregational minister, who has been pastor of the Asylum Hill Congrega- tional Church of Hartford since its organization, in 1865; Edward W., our subject; and Sarah J., wife of Edmund A. Ware.

The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed in Plantsville, and after attending the public schools for some time he was a student at Lewis Academy. From the age of seventeen to twenty years, after completing his education, he engaged in mercantile business in Laporte, Ind., but since 1861 he has been connected with H. D. Smith & Co., of Southington, first as shipping clerk, then as book- keeper, and, since 1865, as treasurer of the com- pany. He is also a stockholder in and vice-president of the Southington Bank, and has been actively identified with the business life of the town.

On Oct. 18, 1866, Mr. Twichell was united in marriage with Mrs. Sarah Louise Harrison, a daughter of Martin and Sally ( Moore) Frisbie, of Southington. They have one son, Reuben Carter, who was born Nov. 25, 1877, and graduated from Yale, a member of the class of 1900.

In his political views Mr. Twichell is a Repub- lican, and he has served as assessor of his town for two years, and represented it in the State Legislature during the session of 1880. Fraternally he belongs to Friendship Lodge, No. 33, F. & A. M .. of South- ington, of which his grandfather was also a member. He is an active and prominent member of the Plants- ville Congregational Church, of which he has been clerk since its organization in 1866. He is a man of excellent business and executive ability, is public- spirited and enterprising, and is quite popular in both business and social circles.

GEN. LUCIUS A. BARBOUR, of Hartford, president of the Willimantic Linen Co., and one of the prominent men of Connecticut, is a descendant on both sides from families who have been conspic- tious in the history of New England for over two and a half centuries.

Gen. Barbour on his paternal side is in the eighth generation from Thomas Barber, the emigrant an- cestor, the line of his descent being through Lieut. Thomas, Samuel, John, John (2), John (3), and Lucius Barbour ; and on his maternal side he is in the ninth generation from Robert Day, one of the original proprietors of Hartford, the line of his descent being through Thomas, Samuel. Josiah, Gideon, Ambrose. Albert and Harriet Louise Day.

(1) Thomas Barber ( spelled Barber. Barbor, Barbar, and Barbour, as variously written through the probate records; the spelling Barbour was

adopted by Henry, of this branch of the family), the first of the name in New England, came to Windsor, Conn., in 1635, at the age of twenty-one, with the Saltonstall party, under Francis Stiles. He was a soldier from Windsor in the Pequot fight, and is mentioned in Mason's narrative. He married Oct. 7, 1640, and died Sept. 11, 1662. His wife, Jane, died Sept. 10, 1662.

( 11) Lieut. Thomas Barber, son of Thomas, born July 14, 1644. married Dec. 13, 1660, Mary Phelps, born March 2, 1644, daughter of William Phelps, the emigrant, of Windsor, and his second wife, Mary ( Dover ). He removed to Simsbury, where he built the first meeting-house. He died May 10, 1713. She died in 1687.

(III) Samuel Barber, son of Lieut. Thomas, born May 17, 1673, married Dec. 17, 1712. Sarah, Holcomb, born in 1691, daughter of Nathaniel Hol- comb and Mary ( Bliss). He died Dec. 18, 1725, and she died in 1787, at the age of ninety-six. She removed from the old parish to West Simsbury in 1738 with her four sons, Samuel, Thomas, Jona- than and John, and her daughters, Mercy and Sarah, the sons settling on the best lands in the Center School District. This family were among the ear- liest and most conspicuous settlers of West Sims- bury.

(IV) John Barber, son of Samuel, born Dec. 4, 1719, married Jan. 22, 1746-47, Lydia Reed, born Nov. 18, 1726, daughter of Jacob Reed and Mary (Hill). He died in 1799, and his widow died in 1806.

(V) John Barber (2), son of John, born Nov. 29, 1749, married in 1773 Elizabeth Case, born April 20, 1752, daughter of Capt. Josiah Case and Esther (Higley). He died Nov. 3, 1825. She died May 26, 1817.

(VI) John Barbour (3), son of John, born Feb. 18, 1782, married (first) Oct. 13, 1803, De- light Griswold Case, born Oct. 15, 1783, daughter of Elisha Case and Delight (Griswold). She died April 13, 1811, and he married (second) June 15, 1812, Fanny Hunt, born Aug. 30, 1792, daughter of George Hunt and Jemima ( Hollister). He died Nov. 24, 1865, Mrs. Barbour on Nov. 6, 1858.

(VII) Lucius Barbour, son of John (3), born July 26, 1805, in Canton, Conn., married April 23, 1840, Harriet Louise Day, born Feb. 2, 1821, daugh- ter of Deacon Albert Day and Harriet (Chapin). Ile died Feb. 10, 1873, she on Sept. 26, 1886. When about twelve or fourteen years of age he accom- panied his parents to Western New York, on their removal to that State. For a number of years suc- ceeding his majority he was traveling in the South and West, where he was engaged in business and investing in Western land, particularly in the State of Indiana. He finally located in Madison, Ind., of our city, and a man so positive in every sphere of and engaged in the wholesale dry-goods business. Subsequently he became interested in similar busi- ness at Cincinnati, Ohio. Along in the middle 'forties he removed to Hartford, Conn., and ever

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

afterward made that city his home, yet as a silent partner retained his interests in the business houses at Madison and Cincinnati. He possessed excellent business habits and ability, and in his undertakings prospered greatly. He was an upright man and a Christian gentleman, and was greatly esteemed and respected by the community in which he lived. He was a deacon in the Second Congregational Church of Hartford from 1858 to 1865, and in the First Church of the same denomination and city from 1869 until his death. He was a trustee of the Congregational Seminary ; and a director of the American Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, and of the Charter Oak Bank.

Lucius A. Barbour, son of Lucius Barbour, and the subject proper of this sketch, was born Jan. 26, 1846, at Madison, Ind., and in infancy was brought to Hartford, Conn., by his parents, on their return to that city. Here his youth was passed in attend- ance in the public schools of the city, he being grad- uated from the high school in 1864. Later he became teller in the Charter Oak Bank, holding the position until 1870, when he resigned for the purpose of a contemplated two years' tour of travel in Europe. From boyhood young Barbour evinced a taste for military affairs, and it is perhaps in this line that he has been the most widely known throughout the State and New England. However, his business career has been equally brilliant. He enlisted Sept. 9, 1865, becoming a private in the Hartford City Guard, then attached to the First Regiment as Battery D. His military advancements were rapid, and received wide notice in the State, and he proved himself worthy of the promotions, his instincts and tastes entitling him to military leadership from the outset. He resigned from the Guard in 1871, but returned some years later, when, in February, 1875, he was chosen major of the First Regiment. He was elected lieutenant-colonel Dec. 29, 1876, and on June 26, 1878, was advanced to the command of the regiment. Col. Barbour was in command of the First at the Yorktown Centennial in 1881, and won a national reputation by the splendid efficiency and discipline which his organization displayed. In connection with the Yorktown Centennial the command visited Charles- ton, S. C., and gained the highest military praise. Archibald Forbes, the celebrated London war cor- respondent, paid a high tribute to Col. Barbour's command. The Colonel was one of the most pop- ular officers connected with the National Guard, and his selection later as adutant-general of the State met with universal satisfaction throughout Connecticut. He resigned the colonelcy of the First Nov. 12, 1884. His political affiliations have been with the Republican party. He was a member of the House of Representatives in 1879, serving as the colleague of the late Hon. Henry C. Robinson, and his legislative career was in keeping with the course which he had followed in other callings of life, and added to his reputation and popularity. Gen. Barbour was prominently identified with

Battle Flag Day, being a member of the legislative committee which had the arrangements in charge. As a distinguished representative of the National Guard the General is honored throughout Con- necticut. Since 1884 he has been treasurer and president of the Willimantic Linen Co. of the city whose name it bears. Ile has the reputation of be- ing one of the ablest business managers in the Capitol City. His religious connections are with the First Congregational Church of Hartford.

On Feb. 8, 1877, at Brooklyn, N. Y., Gen. Bar- bour was married to Miss Harriet E., born Dec. 2, 1849, daughter of . Alfred Smith Barnes and Har- riet Elizabeth (Burr), Mr. Barnes being of the well-known publishing house of A. S. Barnes & Co., of New York City. Mrs. Barbour died at Hartford, Conn., Nov. 8, 1899, universally beloved and lamented. Her children are: Lucius Barnes, of Yale College, class of 1900; and Harriet Burr. The genealogy of the Day family in Gen. Bar- bour's line is as follows :

(I) Robert Day came to Boston from Ipswich, County of Suffolk, England, in the "Elizabeth," in 1634, and became one of the original proprietors of Hartford, Conn. He married Editha Stebbins.

(II) Thomas Day, son of Robert, the immigrant, married Oct. 27. 1659, Sarah Cooper, daughter of Lieut. Thomas Cooper, who was killed by the In- dians at the burning of Springfield, Mass. He removed to Springfield, Mass., in 1658, and was the ancestor of the Day family in that State.

(III) Samuel Day, son of Thomas, born in 1671, married in 1697 Mary (Marah) Dumbleton, daughter of John Dumbleton and Lydia (Leonard).

(IV) Josiah Day, son of Samuel, born in 1701, married in 1731 Elizabeth Bliss, daughter of Pele- tiah Bliss and Elizabeth ( Hitchcock), and resided in West Springheld, Massachusetts.

(V) Gideon Day, son of Josiah, born in 1733, married in 1762 Elizabeth Duncan, daughter of Samuel Duncan and Sarah (Ingram). They re- sided in West Springfield, and later removed to. Westfield, Massachusetts.

(VI) Ambrose Day, son of Gideon, born in 1767, married in 1791 Mary Ely, daughter of Na- than Ely and Silence ( Morgan).

(VII) Albert Day, son of Ambrose, born in 1797, married in 1819 Harriet Chapin, daughter of Frederick Chapin and Roxalany (Lamb), of Chico- pee. Mr. Day was a prominent business man of Hartford, of the firm of A. & C. Day, and Day, Griswold & Co. He was a brother of the late Cal- vin Day. He was lieutenant-governor of Connec- ticut, 1856-57. His children, besides Mrs. Lucius Barbour, were: Albert F. and Charles G.

ROGER SAMUEL NEWELL. This well- known attorney of Bristol, now serving as Judge of Probate and Judge of the Town Court. is a member of one of the pioneer families of Connecti- cut, being a descendant of Thomas Newell, a na- tive of Herefordshire, England, who came to Con-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

necticut about 1640, locating at Farmington, and of Elder William Brewster, who came in the "May- flower." Thomas Newell married Rebecca Olm- stead, and among their children was a son Samuel. Samuel Newell, the next in the line of descent, was an ensign in the militia. He married Mary Hart, and had one son Samuel, born in 1686.

Samuel Newell married Sarah Norton, and had a son Isaac, born in 171I.

Isaac Newell married Rachel Pomeroy, and had a son Simeon, born in 1748.

Simeon Newell was a captain in the Revolu- tionary army, and a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, his original certificate being now in the possession of our subject. He married Mercy Hooker, and had a son Roger S. Newell, of Farm . ington, Connecticut.

Roger S. Newell, our subject's grandfather, married Naomi Hawley, and had the following children: Samuel P., the father of our subject ; George, deceased; Henry, deceased, formerly a judge of the supreme court of California; Edward E., a resident of Bristol, Conn .; and Cornelia H., wife of Charles H. Chapin, of Springfield, Mass., lately deceased.

Samuel P. Newell was born Nov. 16, 1823, in Farmington, Conn., where he acquired his elemen- tary education. Later he took a course in Yale University, and read law in the office of John Hooker, Esq., of Hartford, Conn. He was ad- mitted to the Bar in 1848, and shortly afterward removed to Bristol, where he practiced his pro- fession during the remainder of his life. He served as judge of probate, United States revenue col- lector for the district, and held other important public offices, and was also a director of the Na- tional Bank, the Savings Bank, and the Bristol Water Co. Politically he affiliated with the Re- publican party. He died Jan. 2, 1888, widely hon- ored for his useful and well-spent life. On Oct. 10, 1854, he married Miss Martha Judd Brewster, of Bristol, Conn., who survives him and still re .. sides in Bristol. Five children were born to them, of whom our subject was the youngest. (I) Eliza- beth N. married John J. Jennings, and died Oct. 17, 1888, leaving two sons, Newell and John J., Jr., who reside in Bristol. (2) Cordelia N., widow of Harry W. Barnes, resides in Bristol. (3) Anita

Roger Samuel Newell was bron in Bristol, Oct. 18, 1867, and received his academic education in the public schools of that town and of Hartford. He graduated from the Hartford Public High School in 1886, from Yale University in 1889, and from Yale Law School in 1891. He then read law in the office of John J. Jennings, Esq., of Bristol, and in 1891 was admitted to the Bar, after which he continuously practiced his chosen profession as a partner with his preceptor until the latter's death, April 1, 1900. He was the first clerk of the bor-

ough of Bristol, in 1895 was elected judge of the town court, and in 1896 was elected judge of pro- bate, to succeed Elbert E. Thorpe, on the latter's decease. Socially he and his family are prominent. and he is a member of Franklin Lodge, No. 56, F. & A. M., and Pequabuck Chapter, R. A. M. In pol- itics he is a Republican, and in religious belief a Congregationalist.

Mr. Newell was married in Bristol, Sept. 25, 1895, to Miss Adaline Birge, daughter of Senator John and Mary A. (Root) Birge.

GEN. JAMES T. PRATT (deceased. Long prominent in the business life of Hartford and in the public affairs of the State, Gen. Pratt was one of the best-known men in Connecticut politics.

A son of Capt. John Pratt, of Middletown, he was born in 1802, in that part of the town from which Cromwell has since been formed. As a boy he came to Hartford, and served as a clerk first in the dry-goods store of J. B. Hosmer, and later in that of Robert Watkinson. About 1824 young Pratt started in the jobbing and commission business, the pioneer of this branch of the dry-goods business, which has since grown to such proportions. He was associated with E. G. Howe and Rowland Mather, the firm name for a time being Pratt, Howe & Mather, and afterward becoming Howe, Mather & Co. Young Pratt was full of life, and a natural leader. In a private letter he wrote two years be- fore his death, regretting his inability to attend the Foot Guard reception to the governor, he thus ex- pressed himself: "I joined the Horse Guard about 1820, and attended the 'Election Ball' of that year ; danced with Miss Boardman, of New Milford, a a sister of the late Hon. William W. Boardman, of New Haven, a lady of rare accomplishments. At that time Daniel Buck commanded the Horse,and Richard Goodwin the Foot. I was chosen commander of the Horse on the 4th of July, 1826, the fiftieth anniver- sary of American Independence. The late Maj. James Goodwin (father of the Rev. Francis Goodwin) succeeded me in command of the company. His brother, Jonathan Goodwin, commanded the Foot at the same time. There is not a man living who was a member of the Horse when I enlisted or when I was elected Major. The world moves." Young Pratt served as major of the Horse Guard from 1826 to 1829; in 1834 he was elected major of the First Regiment of Cavalry: in 1836 he was colonel of the regiment; from 1837 to 1839 he was brig- adier-general commanding the first brigade; from 1839 to 1846 he was major-general commanding the first division ; and in 1846-47 quartermaster-gen- eral. His service with the State troops in various positions covered a period of more than a quarter of a century, and, largely owing to his efforts, the mil- itary force of the State was greatly increased in efficiency. There was no other man living at the time of Gen. Pratt's death who had given as much unselfish labor to this important part of the State's service.

Jannes IT Pratt

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Before finishing his military service Gen. Pratt had acquired a fortune sufficient for his wants, and about this time he retired from business and pur- chased a farm in Rocky Hill, known as the John William place. Always a Democrat of the old- fashioned Jacksonian type, he was sure, with his temperament, to take an active interest in politics. He represented Rocky Hill in the Legislature in 1847, 1848 and 1850, and again in 1857 and 1862. In 1852 he served in the Senate, representing the old First District. He was a very frequent dele- gate to Democratic State Conventions, and with his white overcoat and his impetuous manner, both of which he retained as long as he lived, became a con- spicuous and influential figure. He was a represen- tative from his district in the XXXIIId Congress (1853-55), and in 1858 and 1859 was the Demo- cratic candidate for governor, being defeated by Gov. Buckingham. He confidently expected to be nominated in 1860, but in the meantime his old-time friend and companion, Thomas H. Seymour, for whom he had done very many acts of kindness and friendship, returned from the Russian mission, and was at once suggested as the man to be nominated in the emergency. Gen. Pratt at once wrote him, offering to withdraw in his favor from a canvass in the convention. Col. Seymour politely and pos- itively declined to accept the sacrifice (says Dr. Rufus W. Griswold in his "History of Rocky Hill"), and wrote Gen. Pratt that he would not be a candi- date under any circumstances. Nevertheless Sey- mour was nominated and accepted. This put an end for years at least, to an old friendship, for the Gen- eral was as strong in his prejudices as in his friend- ships. The same convention which nominated Sey- mour elected Pratt a delegate to the National Con- vention of Charleston. This was at the time when the secession conspiracy was just beginning to lift its head. Gen. Pratt represented the old-type Dem- ocrat, who looked upon the Free-Soilers as imprac- ticable cranks, and upon the Abolitionists as sons of Belial. He regarded slavery as a human patri- archal institution, which had always existed, and he regarded those at the North who were making a crusade against it as disturbers of the peace. But he was a Union man to the core, and, when he found the Charleston convention dividing upon lines look- ing toward disunion, he did not hesitate a moment, but planted himself fair and square on the Union side. When it came to the question of breaking with the Southern wing-or rather head-of the party, or of lending countenance to the infamous work of the conspirators, Gen. Pratt's views were not un- certain. He voted for Douglas, and when threat- ened treason became a reality in the secession move- ment he became one of the foremost leaders of the war Democrats of the State. Rufus W. Griswold, a long-time friend and neighbor of Gen. Pratt, writes especially of this period of his life: "I was much with Gen. Pratt at this time, and more fully in his confidence than any other person. I recall many long talks with him between the adjournment of

the convention at Charleston and its meeting again at Baltimore, and especially just before the re-as- sembling, when it was concluded that, as lovers of the common weal rather than as partisans, the patri- otic Democrat had gone as far in support of the de- mands of the South as could be rationally expected, and that when more was demanded it could not be granted. Thereafter there was no more earnest supporter of the Union cause than this old Jack- soman Democrat." Elected to the House of Repre- sentatives in 1862, he no longer recorded himself a Democrat but a "Union" man, and for ten years he acted more with the Republicans than with the Democrats. Afterward, when in 1870 and 1871 he represented Wethersfield in the Legislature, he styled himself in politics an "Old-school Democrat." Recognizing his fidelity to the "Union," as well as his standing as a Democrat, Gov. Buckingham ap- pointed him a delegate to the Peace Convention which was held at Baltimore, with the vain hope of preventing actual conflict.

Some twenty years before his death Gen. Pratt removed from Rocky Hill to Wethersfield, where he afterward enjoyed a serene old age, taking an active interest in public affairs until near the end of life. Personally he was a firm friend, and a stanch but always open enemy. He was positive and opin- ionated, somewhat emphatic in expressing his views, especially if opposed or contradicted. But he was thoroughly honest, earnestly patriotic, straight- forward in all his courses, generous to the poor, lib- eral and public-spirited. He was probably the most prolific letter-writer in the State, corresponding with almost every one of any prominence in either party. And he was nearly as forcible in his manner of ex- pressing himself on paper as in the convention or legislative hall. Fraternally he was a member of the F. & A. M., St. John's Lodge, No. 4, Hartford. He died April II, 1887, and was buried at Indian Hill, Middletown.

On Nov. 29, 1840, Gen. Pratt was married to Lutitia Juliette Hollister, of South Glastonbury, Conn., and children as follows were born to this union : James Elijah, deceased in infancy ; Laura Louise, also deceased; James Timothy, sketch of whom follows; Elizabeth C., widow of Ernest Dem- ing, late of Middletown; Ellen Woodward, living in Hartford; Fanny Wendell, deceased; and John, connected with the New York Herald, with rest- dence in New York City.

JAMES T. PRATT was born in Rocky Hill, Conn., in 1851, and there passed the carlier years of his life, his education being received mainly at St. Paul's school, Brookfield. For five years thereafter he clerked for Wetherby, Knous & P'elton, dry-goods merchants, Hartford, passing the subsequent five years in the railway mail service. Returning to Hartford, twenty-one years ago, Mr. Pratt engaged in the undertaking business with W. R. Morgan, the firm being Morgan & Pratt, and upon the retire- ment of Mr. Morgan from the business Mr. Pratt conducted the concern alone for some eighteen

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

months, since when the style of the firm has been Pratt & Johnson.

In 1894, in Wethersfield, Conn., Mr. Pratt was married to Miss Mary L., daughter of Dr. Abner S. Warner, of that town, and they have two chil- dren: James T., Jr .; and Lucia Elizabeth. In his fraternal associations Mr. Pratt is a Thirty-second degree Mason, and a member of the Shrine; is also affiliated with the I. O. O. F., Connecticut Lodge, No. 93; and with the K. of P., Washington Lodge, No. 15.

CONE FAMILY of Hartford. This family is an old and prominent one in Connecticut, and sev- eral members thereof, closely related to the late William R., Sylvanus F., and Deacon Joseph E. Cone, of Hartford, have figured in the professional and mercantile history of that city through two. thirds of a century.

The American ancestor of this branch of the family was Daniel Cone, who, with three of his sons-Daniel, Jared and Stephen-came in 1651 to this country from Edinburgh, Scotland, the voyage being made in the ship "John and Sarah." They located first in Massachusetts ( where wasborn another son, Caleb), thence in 1657 removing to Haddam, Conn. From there they came in 1685 to East Had- dam, which locality became the permanent home of many of their descendants. Daniel Cone, Sr., was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and died in Had- dam, Conn., Oct. 24, 1706. He was one of the original twenty-eight who for twenty-eight red coats bought from the Indians what is now the county of Middlesex. His second wife was the widow of Richard Walkley, of Haddam.

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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 14

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