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 146

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 146

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Soon after his return from the war Mr. Warner removed with his family to Kensington, Conn., where he worked at his trade as a square maker for the Hart Manufacturing Co., and when the firm changed to Hart, Bliven & Mead he remained as a contractor in several departments until 1886. The following year he was with the Russell & Irwin Manufacturing Co., of New Britain, and next accepted the position of night watchman with the C. P. Merwin Brick Co., at Kensington, with which he remained for seven years. He next worked for the American Paper Co., having charge of the joiner's room, where cases were made, and re- maining there about a year. He then accepted a position as transfer clerk in the freight office of the

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New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad. In April, 1900, he severed his connection with this company, and accepted a situation with the Russell & Irwin Manufacturing Co. in New Britain, where he is now employed.

On Sept. 9, 1857, Mr. Warner married Miss Harriet Maria Bowker, who was born in Sandgate, Vt., July 17, 1836, a daughter of William and Har- riet ( Bradley) Bowker, farming people. Her par- ents were both buried in Sunderland, Vt. To Mr. and Mrs. Warner were born six children, namely : Florence Blanche, born in Sunderland, Sept. 28, 1858, died March 16, 1862, and was buried in Ar- lington, Vt .; Agnes Jane, born in Sunderland, is at home; Hugh Ellsworth, born in Berlin, Conn., Feb. 22, 1865, died Sept. 30, 1866; a twin brother of Hugh lived but three days; Maude Edith, born in Berlin, March 28, 1868, died Oct. 27, 1887; and Hugh Elmer, born in Berlin, Aug. 15, 1870, died Aug. 1I, 1871. With the exception of the eldest all were buried in Berlin.

The father of our subject was first a Whig and later a Republican in politics, and Mr. Warner is an ardent supporter of the latter party. He has taken a very active and prominent part in local poli- tics, and has been honored by his fellow-citizens with a number of important official positions, the duties of which he has most faithfully and satisfac- torily performed. He served as constable for thirty- one consecutive years, and for the last six years of that time was also deputy sheriff, his term expiring in 1895. He represented his town in the State Legislature in 1883, when there was considerable agitation over the parallel railroad line with the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad. He was first selectman in 1888 and 1889, and had previously been a member of the board, serving in all for six years. At present he is filling the position of sec- ond selectman, and is one of the most influential and prominent members of the board. Socially he belongs to Stanley Post, No. 24, G. A. R., of New Britain ; Harmony Lodge, No. 20, F. & A. M .; Gid- dings Chapter, No. 25, R. A. M., and Doric Council, No. 24, R. & S. M., of New Britain ; and is an hon- orary member of Pequot Council, No. 44, Sr. O. U. A. M, of Berlin. Religiously he and his wife are members of St. James Protestant Episcopal Church, of Arlington, Vermont.

HENRY AARON KINNE, a substantial citi- zen of South Glastonbury, comes of a sturdy New England ancestry. The emigrant ancestor of the family was Henry Kinne, of Puritan parentage, though born in Holland, in about 1624. He was in Salem, Mass., about 1656. He and his wife Anne settled in Norwich, Conn., and he died in 1712.

Rev. Aaron Kinne, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born at Newent, in Norwich (now Lisbon), Conn., in 1744. He was graduated from Yale in 1765, and studied theology under Rev. Mr. Fish, at Stonington. He was ordained over the

South Congregational Church at Groton, Conn., as successor to Rev. Barber, Oct. 19, 1769. The massacre of Ledyard and others of his people at Fort Griswold, while Rev. Kinne was chaplain there during the Revolutionary war, where "so many widows and orphans were made in an hour," caused the loss of so many of his people, and so diminished his means of support, that in 1798 he was dismissed, his family at that time consisting of an invalid wife and eleven children, all under seven- teen years of age. During his pastorate at Groton he made several missionary journeys into the wilds of New York State, to minister to the Indians. After leaving Groton, in 1798, his subsequent life was filled with wanderings, trials and removals. In 1800 he resided in Winsted; in 1803 at Egre- mont, Mass .; and in 1805 he removed to Alford. He was occasionally employed by the Berkshire Missionary Society. He died at Tallmadge, Ohio, at the home of his son-in-law, Dr. Wright, July 9, 1824, aged seventy-nine years. Seven children survived him. He was a faithful preacher. He published a work on the "Sonship of Christ; a dis- play of Scripture prophesies," 1813; an explana- tion of the types, prophesies, revelation, etc. [ Vol. VIII, 1814.]

Aaron Kinne, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Groton, Conn., and removed in his early manhood to Glastonbury. For a number of years he taught school, and was also engaged in the mer- cantile business in South Glastonbury. He died in 1816. He had married Amelia Hale, and to them the following children were born : Emma married (first) David Hale, and (second) Norman Hub- bard, and lived in North Glastonbury ; Henry moved to Pennsylvania; Mary Ann married (first) Dr. Roland Curtin, of Philadelphia, by whom she be- came the mother of Dr. Roland Curtin, Jr., and (second) wedded Gen. James Irving, a prominent citizen of Pennsylvania, and at one time a candi- date for Governor; Nancy married Edwin Taylor, who was engaged in the lumber business in Hart- ford, which is now carried on by his sons ; Gideon, a mason, living in Glastonbury, married Sally Tay- lor; and Aaron is referred to in the following.

Aaron Kinne, the father of our subject, was born March 10, 1814, in South Glastonbury, Conn. His education was such as the boys, in general, in those times received, his attendance being confined entirely to the district schools. He lived at home for a time, then located at Akron, Ohio, where he re- mained a brief period, and returning to Glastonbury there learned the trade of mason under his brother

Gideon. These brothers worked together for many years, and built many structures in Bristol, New

Britain and other places. Aaron Kinne abandoned the mason's business in 1868, located on the home farm and purchased the interests of the other heirs in the place, added to the tract, and made many im- provements thereon, leaving, however, the original house stand. Mr. Kinne was, in politics, a Repub-

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lican, and took an active interest in town affairs. He represented the town three times in the Legis- lature, serving in 1855, 1862 and 1882. He also served on the board of selectmen for two terms, and held other minor offices. He was one of the charter members of the Glastonbury Grange, and its oldest member at the time of his death. He was a man universally respected, a firm friend, and a kind and obliging neighbor. He possessed a re- markable memory, and was a man of ability and force of character.

Mr. Kinne was married (first) in 1840, to Martha W. Strickland, born April 7, 1816, a native of Glastonbury, and a daughter of Lewis and Amy (Tennant) Strickland. She died June 26, 1876, and in 1878 he married (second) Mrs. Elizabeth Boughton, born July 23, 1836, daughter of George B. and Rovilla (Race) Kinne, and widow of Henry A. Boughton, who was a farmer of Waterford, N. Y. She now survives her husband, who died March 8, 1898, and is living on the old homestead in South Glastonbury. To Aaron and Martha W. (Strick- land) Kinne were born children as follows: (1) Constant C., born March 24, 1841, married Jan. 14, 1869, Mary Williams. He is now a clerk in Meri- den, in the town clerk's office, where he is well known and prominent ; he was a soldier of the Civil war. (2) Lewis S., born Dec. 22, 1845, married May 24, 1871, Josephine Ransom. He is now liv- ing in New Britain, occupied as a bookkeeper. (3) Henry A. is our subject. (4) Watson, born March 24, 1850, married June 27, 1872, Adella Clark. He is a farmer in South Glastonbury, and has served his town in the Legislature one term.

Henry A. Kinne, our subject proper, was born June 29, 1847, in the homestead in South Glaston- bury now occupied by his stepmother, Mrs. Kinne. He attended the district school, and the Fort Ed- ward (N. Y.) Academy, the latter being a large and well-known institution, then under the prin- cipalship of Joseph E. King. Completing his school- ing at the academy when nineteen years of age, he returned to Glastonbury and assisted his father on the farm, also teaching in winter for a time at the Bell school. Later he was for about two years in the employ of his cousin, James G. Kinne, who kept a general store at Fort Edward, N. Y., as clerk, bookkeeper, etc. In 1869 he went to Crom- well, Conn., and in company with James E. Smith bought out the general store of Ralph Savage, who was an uncle of Mr. Kinne. Their business grew, and not finding their quarters large enough erected another building, and kept two stores there. Ow- ing to failing health Mr. Kinne in 1871 sold to Mr. Smith, and came to Glastonbury, where he lived on the home farm until November, 1893, at which time he purchased his present home, in South Glastonbury, known as the "Martin Hollister place," which comprised only three and one-half acres of land. Since then Mr. Kinne has made many im- provements about the place, built his present barns,

and added to the acreage until now he has a farm of twenty-five acres. He is engaged in general farm- ing and tobacco growing, and also teaming, keep- ing about twelve horses the year around. He also gets out timber, ties, etc., for railroad purposes. He is one of the town's active and energetic men, and is prosperous. In politics he is a stanch Re- publican. He has been registrar of voters for the past four years, and was deputy registrar for twelve years. He has been a member of Columbia Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M., of South Glastonbury, since Feb. 6, 1871, was junior warden of same in 1874 and 1875, and has been secretary for the past fifteen years ; has been a member of Putnam Phalanx, Hartford, for many years past; and is a charter member of Elm Lodge, I. O. O. F., Glastonbury.

In November, 1880, Mr. Kinne was married to Artilla Alger, born Oct. 14, 1849, in South Glaston- bury, daughter of Hudson and Martha (House) Alger, the former of whom was a farmer in South Glastonbury. To this marriage have come children as follows: Martha E., born Jan. 31, 1882; Emma S., born May 31, 1886; and Aaron W., born June 4, 1888.

WILLIAM DUFFY, the famous blacksmith of East Hartford Meadow, although in his sixty-first year, is still hearty and strong, and hence comes his renown. In his younger days he was an athlete, and, while small in stature and of slight build, was wonderfully supple and nimble, able to do an ex- traordinary amount of work, and execute the most difficult gymnastic feats.

Mr. Duffy was born in Hartford July 1, 1840, on Trumbull street, near "Little River," and is of Irish-English extraction, his father having been born in County Westmeath, Ireland, about 1809, and his mother in Barrowden, England. His par- ents, John and Mary (Kirby) Duffy, were married in England, whither the father had gone when young to learn the blacksmith's trade. In 1837 John Duffy came to the United States and located in Hartford, worked awhile in Columbia, then re- turned to Hartford, and in 1842 came to East Hart- ford Meadow and took possession of the blacksmith shop now operated by our subject, and which pre- viously had been owned by Henry Wood and opened two or three days in the week. It has since been in active operation every day in the year, Sundays only excepted, and occasions when a death has oc- curred in the family. In 1854 Mr. Duffy erected the dwelling in East Hartford in which he resided until his removal to Hartford, where his death took place at the age of seventy-two years, from paral- ysis of the brain, probably caused from being kicked in the head by a horse some years previously. His wife had died at the age of fifty-six years, and her remains were interred in the Catholic cemetery at Hartford. The children born to John and Mary ( Kirby) Duffy were seven in number, and in order of birth were named as follows: Catharine, born

William Duffy

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in England, died unmarried at the age of sixty years in New Haven ; Thomas, born in Columbia, Conn., is a retired dry-goods merchant, and resides at the corner of Vernon and Washington streets, Hartford; William is the subject of this biography ; Mary, born in East Hartford, is the widow of John Franey, of New Haven ; Jane is married to D. D. Donovan, an expert machinist of Providence, R. 1 .; John, a blacksmith, died in Hartford; and Eliza- beth is the wife of James Lawton, manager of the Fleischman Yeast Co., of New Haven. The father of this family was stoutly built, strong and active, and could shoe as many as twenty-five horses a day. He was a sincere Catholic, and d'ied a member of St. Patrick's Church in Hartford ; in politics he was inclined toward Democracy, but voted for the can- didate he thought to be best suited for the office to be filled. He was a self-made man, and lived comfortably, being nowise niggardly, and kept his family in excellent style.

William Duffy was but two years of age when the family settled in East Hartford Meadow, where he was educated in the district school, in which he was the champion speller, learned very rapidly in every department, and captured all the prizes. At the age of sixteen years he quit school, and under his father began learning the blacksmith's trade. The two worked together until 1866, when the mothier passed away, and the father, selling the shop to the son, retired to Hartford, and there passed the remainder of his life.

November, 1866, William Duffy married Miss Margaret Evers, a native of Ireland, who came to the United States when young, and lived with some of the best families in Hartford, such as those of Dr. Barnard, Dr. Crawfoot and Mrs. Pen- dleton. Mr. Duffy at once began housekeeping on marrying, in the house in which he still lives, and which is one of the best in East Hartford Meadow. To this marriage were born nine children, in the following order: Mary, still under the parental roof ; John K., who died at the age of fifteen years, a promising, athletic lad ; William L., a clerk in Hartford; Jennie, who died in childhood in 1876; Frances, a teacher in East Hartford: Alice, a sten- ographer in Hartford: Florence and Harry, at home ; and Lillian G., who died at the age of five years. Mrs. Duffy was called away Sept. 15, 1897, in the faith of the Catholic Church, of which all the family are devout members. She was a most estimable lady, kind and affectionate, and a true helpmate to her husband. The children are kind and intelligent, and have been educated in a man- ner creditable to any family.

competence is not the result of a life of niggard- ness or self-deprivation, as he has always lived well, and kept his family well supplied with all things needful, with a most liberal hand.

L. S. EMMONS, who is at present engaged in the plumbing and steam-fitting business in Man- chester, Hartford county, is one of the oldest resi- dents of the town, where he has lived since boy- hood, and he is widely known and highly respected throughout this vicinity.

Nir. Emmons was born Feb. 14, 1839, in the town of Haddam, Middlesex Co., Conn., son of William and Hannah ( Ely ) Emmons. He was brought up on a farm there, and when sixteen years of age, having received a practical education in the common schools, he came to Manchester to learn the trade of tinner with his brother-in-law, E. B. Hibbard. The first year of his apprentice- ship his wages were $35, the second year $40, and the third $45. He continued working for his brother-in-law until 1867, after which he carried on the business on his own account, renting Mr. Hib- bard's store, until 1890, when he erected the build- ing in which he is established at present. He is engaged in plumbing and steam-fitting, enjoying a wide patronage throughout this part of Hartford county, and he also carries a fine line of stoves. Mr. Emmons occupies an enviable position among the successful business men of Manchester, and he has a high standing as a citizen, being identified with the best interests of his adopted town, though he has never been particularly active in public life. He has witnessed the growth of the place to its present proportions from the very beginning, for when he first came to Manchester there was but one store here, that of the Union Manufacturing Co.

On Nov. 25, 1861. Mr. Emmons was married to Miss Maria P. Wilson, daughter of Willard Wilson, and two children blessed this union : Willard, who died Sept. 1, 1867, and Grace, who is living at home. Mr. Emmons is a Republican in political preference. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Man- chester Lodge, No. 16.

HENRY WELLS HUNGERFORD, the act- ive and wide-awake shipping clerk for the E. Ing- graham Co. Clock factory. Bristol, is a native of that city, born May 20, 1847.

The Hungerfords are of English origin, and trace their ancestry back to Sir Thomas Hunger- ford, who was in 1337 the first regular Speaker of the House of Commons. He died in 1398. James Smithson was a son of Hugh Smithson, the first Duke of Northumberland, and his mother was Mary Ilungerford. He never married, and willed all his property to his nephew, Henry Hunger- ford, if he had issue, "either legitimate or illegiti- mate." Otherwise it was to go to the United States, to found an institution for the diffusion of

Mr. Duffy has been an untiring worker, and has been successful throughout life. He has met with some reverses, however, as in 1880 he lost his shop by fire, with no insurance, and was thus "out" $3.500 in a few hours. But he kept right on, not losing a day except by sickness. He is a man of steady habits, strictly honest in every transaction, and enjoys the respect of all who know him. His | knowledge to be called the "Smithsonian Institu- 41

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tion." Hence the origin of the famous institution located in Washington, D. C. The amount given was over $500,000. In England there are two almshouses, existing at the present time, which were endowed and founded by the Hungerfords before 1450.

(I) Thomas Hungerford, the first of the family in the New World, doubtless came to this country as a mariner. In 1639 he owned a three-cornered lot of an acre with a house thereon in Hartford, Conn. In 1651 he moved to Pequot (now New London), Conn .. and shortly afterward cleared the land where the fort now stands. He died in 1663, leaving three children-two by his first wife- Thomas, aged about fifteen years; Sarah, nine years : and Hannah, born May 1, 1659.

(II) Thomas Hungerford had children as fol- lows: Thomas, John, Green, Elizabeth, Susanna, Sarah and Mary. He died between Jan. II and Feb. 5. 1713-14, aged sixty-five or sixty-six years.

(III ) Thomas Hungerford, of Haddam, Conn., married Elizabeth Smith, and they had children : Hannah, Thomas, Benjamin, Elizabeth, John. Da- vid and Samuel.

(1\) Capt. John Hungerford, born March 4, 1718, was married Dec. 27, 1739, to Deborah Hun- gerford, daughter of John Hungerford. She died before March 6, 1745, as on that date he married Lucy - -, who died Feb. 10, 1798, aged sev- enty-seven years. By the first union there were two children, Levi and Thomas. To the second marriage were born: Oliver, Uriah. Amasa, Deb- orah. John, Lucy, Elizabeth, Huldah, and Lydia. Capt. Hungerford was quite prominent in military affairs. In 1751-52 he moved to Farmington, and in May. 1754, was appointed, by the Assembly, ensign in the Sixth Company, or "train band," of that town. In May, 1757, he was appointed lieu- tenant of the "train band" in the parish of New Cambridge ( now Bristol, formerly in the town of Farmington), and in May, 1758, the Assembly ap- pointed him captain of the same. The same month the Assembly appointed him captain in the army, in the First Regiment. He died at Southington Dec. 24. 1787, and his remains lie in the old ceme- tery at Plainville. Hartford county. The epitaph on his gravestone is as follows :

Behold and see as you pass by, As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you must be, Prepare for death and follow me.

(V) Thomas Hungerford, born July 19, 1742, (lied in 1810. He served as captain in the Revolu- tionary war. On Oct. 29, 1764. he married (first) Naomy Moody, born in 1746, who died in 1769. llis second wife was Elizabeth Mathews, who died in February, 1819. The children born to the first marriage were Chloe, Sabra and Zenas. To the second union came Cynthia, one that died in in- fancy, Street, Sylvia, Evits, Flavil, Levinah, Alma, Street, Sheldon and Naomi.

(VI) Evits Hungerford, grandfather of Henry W., was born in the town of Bristol. Conn., Oct. 29, 1777, and was a lifelong farmer in that locali- ty, also a blacksmith, and worked at his trade a number of years. In politics he was an ardent Democrat, in religious faith a consistent Methodist, and the first piece of timber taken from his land was used in the building of the Methodist church in Bristol. He was a charter member of Franklin Lodge, F. & A. M. On Sept. 23, 1810, he married Annah Peck, of Burlington, Conn., born Sept. 14, 1789, and children as follows were born to them : Leander G. (a sketch of whom follows), William Ellis, Rev. Charles Lyman (he died in 1845, in Brooklyn, where he was a Methodist preacher), Louisa Amy, and Caroline Sally. The father of these died Sept. 17. 1867, the mother on June 20, 1881.

(VII) Leander Grandison Hungerford. father of Henry W., was born July 12, 1811, in the town of Bristol, Conn., and died there Dec. 2, 1853. He was a general "trucker." and dealt in wood, also during a part of his life was engaged in farming. and became quite well-to-do. He was an Old-Line Whig, and an active member of the Methodist Church.

On April 13. 1836, Leander G. Hungerford was married to Jennett Jones, of Bristol, and they had four children: (1) Sarah, born Dec. 3. 1837, married (first ) Lyman Webster, of Harwinton. Conn .. and (second) wedded J. Wallace Blakes- lee. of Bristol, Conn. : she now lives in Hartford. (2) William Ellis, born in 1839, died in 1841. (3) Charles E., a sketch of whom appears else- where. (4) Henry Wells is our subject. The mother of these died Oct. 7, 1848, and Feb. 10. 1849, the father married Jennett Andros, who was born in Farmington, Conn .. July 9, 1817, and died in 1891, the mother of one child, Annah J., born May 13, 1852. married Homer Smith May 13, 1868. and died April 18. 1884. in Michigan.

Henry Wells Hungerford, of whom we more especially write, received all his literary education at the common schools of Bristol, and at the age of fifteen years commenced working on a farm in the summer, in the woods in the winter, in the em- ploy, most of the time, of George Kimberly. When twenty-one years of age he made a sort of pros- pecting trip of several months duration through- out the West as far as Nebraska, but soon re- turned to Connecticut. Coming to Bristol, he on April 12, 1869, commenced work for the E. Ingra- ham Co.'s clock factory as teamster ; then was pro- moted to his present position, that of shipping clerk, having full charge of the packing and ship- ping department of the factory.

On Dec. 24. 1874, Henry W. Hungerford was married to Minerva S. Soule, born in Freeport, Maine, July 28, 1845, a daughter of George E. and Deborah (Dillingham) Soule. She died in Bris- tol, Conn., Oct. 30. 1899. leaving no issue. Mr. Hungerford is a member of the Congregational

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Church, and in politics is a stanch Republican. Honesty and integrity are his main characteris- tics, and he enjoys the confidence of his employers, and the respect and esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

JAY S. STONE, M. D., is one of the most suc- cessful medical practitioners of New Britain, and his professional services span a period of time ex- ceeded by the residence of only two other physicians of that city. He descends from one of the oldest New England families, a family with whose his- tory are linked names eminent in the intellectual and religious growth of the mother States, but his success in life is attributed not wholly to in- heritance, as he is in the strictest sense of the term a self-made man. The many struggles of his youth, to win independently the mental equipment for the practice of his profession, developed a character that could not fail in the attainment of distinction and substantial success.

William Stone, of England, our subject's great- grandfather, migrated with other early colonists to the New World, and located at Guilford, Conn., becoming the progenitor of the American family of which our subject is a representative. John Stone, our subject's grandfather, born in 1765, was reared on a farm near Guilford, and adopted agri- cultural pursuits as his life work. He was a man of considerable force of character, and was gen- erally known as Deacon John Stone, of Middle- bury. He married Esther Stowe, of Milford, Conn .. whose father served his struggling country as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. John Stone lived to a good old age, and died about 1840, his life companion passing away the same year. Their eight children all lived to old age, and were as fol- lows: Mark; Stephen, father of our subject ; Har- vey : Elmira, who married Michael Bowers, of New Haven : Esther; Clara, wife of Laban Hine, of Middlebury : Sarah, who died unmarried ; and Sa- loma, wife of Calvin Camp, of Middlebury. Esther, the second daughter, married Bennett Tyler, D. D., who was at one time pastor of a small church in

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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 146

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