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 155

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 155

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Mr. Curtis was married, March 22, 1876, at Raleigh, N. C., to Miss Mary Williams, of that city, and they have had eight children, six sons and two daughters, of whom two sons are deceased. Their son Edwin served in the Ist Connecticut Regiment in the Spanish-American war, in 1898.

GEORGE FREDERICK CLARK, one of the representative farmers and stock dealers of North Granby, is a native of Hartford county, born in East Hartland, Sept. 23, 1861, and belongs to an old New England family, which was founded in this country by seven brothers, who came to our shores from England in the latter part of the seven- teenth century and located in Rhode Island. From there they scattered to different parts of the New England States.

Comfort Clark, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Stonington, R. I., and when a young man removed to Otis, Mass., where he en- gaged in farming throughout the remainder of his life. He aided the Colonies in their struggle for independence as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, and was one of the highly-respected citizens of Otis, where he died and was buried. His children were Samuel; Comfort; Lyman; Chauncey; and Fanny, wife of James Clark. All died in Massa- chusetts with the exception of Lyman and Chaun- cey, who died in Connecticut.

Chauncey Clark, our subject's grandfather, was born in Otis, Mass., in 1805, and was reared and educated in the common schools of his native town. When a young man he removed to Granville, Mass., where he engaged in farming for some years, but later spent a short time in New Boston, and in 18.43 located at East Hartland, where he followed agri- cultural pursuits until after the Civil war broke out. With the blood of Revolutionary heroes flowing in his veins, he could not remain quietly at home when the Union was in peril, and enlisted, becoming a private in the Connecticut Heavy Artillery. While on his way to the front he was drowned while crossing the Chesapeake Bay, and his body was never recovered. In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat, but was never an office secker. He was a strong man, well-built, weighing over 200 pounds, and was a hard worker. In Massachusetts lie was married to Miss Ruth Ann York, a native of Ston- ington, R. I., and a daugliter of Stephen York, who was also a Revolutionary soldier. She was an

earnest member of the Presbyterian Church, and died in that faith in 1848, being laid to rest in East Hartland cemetery. In the family were five chil- dren: (1) William W., father of our subject. (2) Augustus, born June 13, 1835, is a farmer of West Granby; he first married Ellen Messenger, who died April 18, 1888, leaving one child, Willis, now deceased, and he later wedded Ella S. Daniels. (3) Eliza is now the widow of Armenus Messenger, and a resident of West Granby. (4) Chauncey died young. (5) Lester S. is a resident of North Granby.

William W. Clark, our subject's father, was born in Tolland, Mass., April 10, 1832, and was ten years old when he came with his parents to Hartland, Conn., where he attended the district schools and worked at the carpenter's and joiner's trade for several years, and also at wagonmaking for fourteen years in East Hartland. For a time he was employed in the sawmill of Harvey Godard, of North Granby, and since then has engaged in farming in West Granby, where he now resides. He manifested his patriotism and love of country by enlisting, in 1862, in Company E, Twenty-fifth Conn. V. I., under Capt. Johnson and Col. George P. Bissell, and with the Army of the Potomac he participated in several engagements. He contracted the measles and, later, chills and fever, and was sent to the Marine Hospital, New Orleans, where he was confined for six weeks. After thirteen months and fourteen days spent in the service of his country he was mustered out, at Hartford, in 1863. He is to-day an honored and highly-re- spected citizen of his community, and a Democrat in politics. Mr. Clark was married, in Granby, in 1856, to Miss Jane Case, a native of that place, and a daughter of Joseph and Deborah ( Messen- ger) Case. To them were born six children: Jo- seph, a farmer of Copper Hill, East Granby; George, our subject ; Anna, also a resident of Cop- per Hill; Marie, wife of George Butler, a dentist, of Simsbury; Lilla, wife of Thomas Burton, of Bloomfield; and Charles, a resident of Copper Hill. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1886, and was buried in Granby.

George F. Clark is indebted to the common schools of his district for his educational privileges. At the early age of nine years he started out to make his own way in the world, working as a farm hand during the summer at $5 per month, while during the winter season 1.e devoted his en- ergies to educating himself. Until twenty-eight years of age he continued to work for farmers in Suffield, East Granby and Granby, and having saved a little money from his wages he purchased twenty acres of land, on which he located in 1888, but after operating it for five years he sold the place and bought his present farm in the town of Granby, which comprises ninety acres and is known as the Hayes farm. Here for the past six years he has successfully engaged in general farming and

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dairying, and at the same time has done a good business as a stock raiser and dealer.

On Dec. 2, 1888, Mr. Clark was married, in Granby, to Miss Emma A. Dewey, a lady of cul- ture and refinement, and a daughter of Henry J. Dewey, superintendent of the Granby Creamery. They have two children, Ellis F ederick and Laura Dewey. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are widely and favor- ably known, and are prominent members of the Congregational Church of North Granby, where he is now serving as superintendent of the Sunday- school and a member of the church committee. He is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, has most efficiently served his fellow citizens as tax collector, and in 1898 was elected second selectman of Granby.

JOHN LOOMIS is one of those successful ag- riculturists who have done much toward upbuild- ing Hartford county, in connection with her man- ufactures. He was born in the town of Bolton, Tolland county, on Christmas Day, 1836.

After the death of his mother, which occurred when he was but seven years old, he was obliged to find a home with a farmer, who boarded and clothed him in consideration of such work about the farm as his youth permitted him to perform. His educational opportunities were limited, yet at the age of eighteen he was able to avail himself of one term's tuition at the old academy at Man- chester Center. At that time this school was lo- cated in the building now known as the Masonic Hall, on the public square. His slender means, however, did not permit him long to continue his studies, and he found himself soon compelled to return to work as a farm laborer.

With the firing of the first Confederate gun in Charleston Harbor Mr. Loomis' patriotic spirit was stirred to its inmost depths, and in December, 1861, he enlisted in the Ist Connecticut Light Battery, being mustered in for three years at Meriden Dec. 2, 1861. For three years he served with marked gallantry, and on Dec. 2, 1864, he received an honorable discharge. The following year ( 1865) he bought a farm in the Society of Gilead, town of Hebron, Tolland county, on which he resided for a year, when he purchased the Manchester farm, on which he yet resides. This place em- braces . IIO acres of arable land, and is well im- proved. It is situated on Keeney street, about two miles from the business center of Manchester.

On Oct. 16, 1865, Mr. Loomis was married to Miss Kate Keeney, and to their union have been born nine children, three of whom are deceased- Minnie L., Burdette F. and Warner M. The names of those living are: Keeney B., Clara E., Elvie M., Arthur E., Maro A. and Mabel J.

Politically Mr. Loomis is a Republican, but he has never sought political preferment ; how- ever, he has held several offices, among them that of deputy sheriff, under Alvin Spalding, for five

years discharging the duties of this position with credit to himself and satisfaction to the law-abiding element of the community. He is a member of Drake Post, No. 4, G. A. R., and in religious con- nection an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having been one of the trustees of the local society for several years.

WILLIAM H. MARTIN, proprietor of "Round Hill Farm," is a successful tobacco grower, and a breeder of thoroughbred Minorcas, single- comb White Leghorn and barred Plymouth Rock fowls. He was born in Kidderminster, England, May 12, 1859, a son of William and Harriet E. ( Moore) Martin. His paternal grandfather, Alex- ander Martin, came to America in 1848, and lo- cated in Bedford, Mass., where he started the first power brussels loom in the United States, for weaving brussels carpet, and spun and dyed his own yarns. He was connected in business with the Sloans, of New York City. He died in May- nard, Mass., July 12, 1871. On May 16, 1827, Mr. Martin married Susan Kirby.

The father of our subject was also a weaver by trade. He came to the United States in 1848, and finding his father in Astoria, Hell Gate. N. Y., making gun swabs for the United States Navy on hand looms, he enlisted in the United States Navy, and served three years on the frigate "Constitution." For twenty-five years he was overseer of the carpet department of the Hartford Company's works, at Thompsonville, and was one of the most expert weavers of his day. To Will- iam and Harriet E. Martin were born nine chil- dren : William H .; Harriet M. (Mrs. Rudolph Thuer) ; Henry K .: Alexander; Alice ( Mrs. Charles Gliesman) : Alfred J .; Emily M. ( Mrs. Fred G. Smith) : Fred M. ; and a son who died in infancy. The father of these died in Thompson- ville in 1895, the mother on April 18, 1882, aged forty-nine years.

William H. Martin came to Thompsonville in 1868, and there he was reared to manhood. He learned the weaver's trade, and followed that vo- cation for twenty-three years with the Hartford Carpet Works Co. at Thompsonville, for twenty- two years of that period weaving an average of over fifty yards of brussels carpet per day : he was conceded by all to be the fastest power-loom weaver at that time. In April, 1892, he left the mills and embarked in his present business at Scitico. Mr. Martin has been twice married. His first wife was Catherine Savage, of Thompsonville, and, his second, Alice E., daughter of John and Hannah (Trevitt) White, of Thompsonville, formerly of England, her father being one of the first power- loom brussels carpet men to locate here. He died at Thompsonville Nov. 2, 1891. One son, Wilbur Trevitt, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin March 13, 1900. Mr. Martin is a Republican, and both he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Henry K. Martin, second son of William Mar- tin, is still in the carpet business, and is known to the trade as one of the most expert loom men of the day. He worked eighteen years for the Hartford Carpet Co., and in December, 1895, went to Springfield, Mass., to start the carpet company known as the Burtworth Carpet Co. He put the establishment in operation, and built four Burtworth looms, known as the Burtworth Double Pile Wilton looms, the only looms of the kind in the world. He is now with the same company in Chicopee, Mass., where they have sixteen looms under his superin- tendence.

HON. JOHN A. DUBON. More than ordi- nary interest attaches to the history of this well- known citizen, whose record as a gallant soldier, successful business man, and able and public-spirited legislator commands admiration and esteem. No one, meeting him to-day, and noting his wide range of culture and the many evidences of his personal worth and dignity, would imagine that he began life without capital or influential friends, not even having any educational advantages to speak of un- til he was twenty years old. In such a biography as this the reader cannot fail to find much to inspire faith in human possibilities, and to any ambitious youth it will be a helpful object lesson.

Mr. DuBon was born March 19, 1844, in New York City, and is of French ancestry in the paternal line. John DuBon, his grandfather, was born and reared in France, but made his permanent home in Germany, where he followed farming as an occu- pation. John DuBon (2), his father, was a native of Heidelberg, Germany, and after acquiring a thor- ough knowledge of farm work as a lad, he deter- mined, at the age of fifteen years, to come to the United States and seek a better opening. For some years he resided in New York City, but later he set- tled in Columbia county and finally in Dutchess county, N. Y. In 1828, while in New York City, he married Miss Catherine Meyer, a native of Ger- many, who was born in 1811, daughter of John Meyer, and a member of a wealthy and prominent family. Eight children were born to this union, our subject being the second child and the eldest son. Mrs. DuBon came to America with her sister when but fifteen years of age; she died in Steinway, N. Y., July 5. 1899.

As his parents were in limited circumstances, Mr. DuBon had few opportunities for book learn- ing, as he not only found plenty to do at home, but took an active share in bread-winning from an early age. As a boy he worked in a clock shop in New York City, and after the removal of the family to the country districts he was frequently employed by farmers near his home. At times he attended: niglit school while in the city, and while in the country his only chance for study was in the garret, after his long day's work was done, his hours at his books being determined by the length of the

candle given him. In 1864, at the age of twenty years, he enlisted, in the 3rd New York Light Ar- tillery, Army of the Potomac, and at that time he was hardly competent to write a letter. Fortunately a friend who enlisted with him was much better educated, and through his assistance, during the leisure hours of camp life, Mr. DuBon was enabled to greatly increase his store of knowledge, his keen mind seizing readily upon the long craved privileges of studying under an instructor. He remained in the service about a year, under Capt. Howe, being discharged after peace was declared, and on his return to Dutchess county resumed his work as a farm hand, continuing for some years. He then took a position in a gristmill at Pine Plains, N. Y., but after learning the business thoroughly he was obliged to give it up on account of ill health. As his attention had been previously directed to the large profits of tobacco culture, he had been reading such works on that subject as he could ob- tain, and in 1872 he came to this section to gain practical experience in the employ of John O. Phelps, a farmer near Poquonock. He speedily acquired skill, and for some time was employed as overseer by J. M. Brown and others, becoming known as an expert. During the summer of 1874, however, he worked as a general farm hand at different places, and later he found himself unable to readily secure a position in his chosen line of work, but in 1878 he engaged in business on his own account at his present farm, formerly known as the Owen farm, which he rented for a year. The venture proved so successful that he purchased the place, going in debt for practically the entire price. The farm was in the most unimproved condition, the buildings being hardly habitable, but Mr. DuBon was indus- trious and energetic, and each year saw substantial improvements made under his inspiring stimulus of the hope of having a home of his own. His present residence is one of the best in the town, and is equipped with all modern conveniences, while his other buildings are all models of their kind. He has also added to the place, and some time ago he bought another farm in the same locality, which also shows the effects of his vigorous management.

Mr. DuBon is regarded as an authority on all matters relating to tobacco growing, and is a mem- ber of the New England Tobacco Growers Associa- tion, and a director in the Connecticut Tobacco Ex- periment Co., of which he has been superintendent for the past six years. In the spring of 1900 the State of Connecticut decided to make experiments in tobacco raising, and a shed, 36x500 feet in di- mensions, has been erected for growing tobacco under cover, the attempt being to raise a Sumatra quality, superior to the grade now raised. The roof, of gauze or canvas, permits the rain to pass through, and at the same time affords protection to the plants. Mr. DuBon has been made super- intendent of this work. He has been very success- ful on his own account, and some time ago succeeded

John R. DuBon

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in raising six acres which yielded 2,250 pounds per acre, a good average being 1,700 pounds. Although small in stature he has unbounded energy, and his systematic methods make it possible for him to do an immense amount of work. He finds time for a helpful participation in local affairs, having been a member of the school committee of District No. 9 for several years, and he is one of the trusted advisors of the Republican party in his locality, in the spring of 1900 being appointed one of the town committee of five. While he is not eager for official honors, he has served as assessor and member f the board of relief, and 1895 he represented his town in the State Legislature, being a member of the committee on Agriculture while in the House, representing Hartford county.

On Sept. 2, 1869, Mr. DuBon married Miss Lorinda Decker, daughter of John Decker, a promi- nent resident of Columbia county, N. Y., and three children have blessed the union: Austin died in infancy; Adelbert and Maud are both at home. Socially Mr. DuBon and his wife are much re- spected, and he is identified with Converse Post, No. 67, G. A. R., at Windsor Locks.

GEORGE C. ENO, of Simsbury, comes of one of the oldest and most respected families of Con- necticut, and is of the seventh generation in descent from James Eno, who settled in Windsor in 1643. the line being traced through James, Jr., born in 1651 : David, 1702; Jonathan, 1738; Salmon, 1779: and Salmon Chester, our subject's father, who was born in 1814.

George C. Eno was born in Simsbury, Oct. 15, 1854, and as a boy he had thorough practical in- struction in farm work. He attended the Hop Meadow District school, the high school at New Britain, the Gunnery at Washington, Conn., and the Hartford Public High School, where he gradu- ated in 1875. On leaving school he devoted his attention to farming at the homestead, and after his marriage remained at the farm for three years, when he made his home in Simsbury village, on the Moses Ensign homestead. At present lie is extensively engaged in general farming and tobacco culture, and is a licensed dealer in leaf tobacco, while he also represents some of the best insurance companies in the country. For fourteen years he was in the United States railway mail service, between New Haven and Williamsburg, and Springfield and New York City, resigning the work for other business. In 1880 he negotiated for the right of way for the Central New England & Western railroad between Tariffville and the Massachusetts State line. Among the organizations with which he is connected are the A. O. U. W., at New Haven, and St. Mark's Lodge, No. 36, F. & A. M., at Simsbury.

On Nov. 7, 1878, Mr. Eno married Miss Nellie S. Goodrich, and they have three daughters: Amy Bird, born March 31, 1881: Alice Goodrich, born May 29, 1883; and Margret, born March 12, 1890.

Mrs. Eno was born in Simsbury, Jan. 22, 1855, a daughter of Capt. Lucius Goodwin and Martha Abigail (Ensign) Goodrich, and received a good public-school education, graduating from the Hart- ford Public High School in 1875. She was one of the organizers of the Abigail l'helps Chapter, D. A. R., at Simsbury, her eligibility to the society be- ing established through her descent from Stephen Goodrich (1757-1825) and Allen Whiting. Her ancestral records reach back, in the paternal line, to William Goodrich, who came from England at an early date with his brother John, and located at Wethersfield, Conn. His name first appears in the court records of that town in connection with his marriage, in 1648, to Miss Sarah Marvin. In 1656 he was made a freeman, or voter, and his death occurred in 1676.

John Goodrich, son of William, and the next in the line of descent, was born May 20, 1653, and died Sept. 5, 1730, at his home in Wethersfield. He married Rebecca Allen March 28, 1678.

Jacob Goodrich, son of John, was born Nov. 27, 1694, and died May II, 1746. On Sept. 12, 1717, he married Benedicta Goodwin, daughter of Na- thaniel Goodwin, and made his home in Wethers- field and later in Windsor.

Stephen Goodrich, son of Jacob, was born Jan. 21, 1713, and died Aug. 19, 1758. He married Jan. 3, 1754. Rachel Gillett, and settled in Windsor.

Stephen Goodrich (2), Mrs. Eno's great-grand- father, was born at Windsor March 29, 1757, and died Aug. 18, 1825. In 1771 he settled in the town of Simsbury, where he was much respected for his upright character, and for many years he was en- gaged in farming and carpentering. During the Revolutionary war he served in the American army. He married Lydia Terry Dec. 25, 1781.

Nathan Goodrich, grandfather of Mrs. Eno, was born Aug. 10, 1801, and died Sept. 6, 1842. He married Sevilla Bristol, and settled upon a farm in Simsbury. Of his children three lived to maturity : Lucius G., Mrs. Eno's father; Juliette, who mar- ried John M. Hathaway, of Suffield; and Stephen, formerly a leading druggist of Hartford, who was also prominent in the Masonic fraternity and in financial circles, serving at one time as bank com- missioner.

Capt. Lucius G. Goodrich was born June 22, 1822, and was reared at the old farm in Simsbury. His education was obtained in the district schools and in the Connecticut Literary Institute, at Suf- field, where he spent two winters, and on leaving school he taught one winter in East Granby. Al- though only twenty years old when his father died he assumed the management of the estate, and throughout his life was interested in agricultural pursuits, for some years residing upon the Good- rich homestead at Terry's Plain, and in 1868 re- moving to the Moses Ensign homestead. He passed away Aug. 4, 1893. In early years he was identi- ed with the Whig party, and he supported the

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Know-Nothing movement, later joining the Re- publican party. His popularity made him the strongest candidate that his party could put in the field, as he had warm friends among the most in- fluential men in the county and State, and he served several terms as a member of the Legislature, three terms as high sheriff, nine years as county com- missioner (beginning in July, 1883), and was also deputy sheriff under Waterman, and assessor of his town. During the Civil war he held the post of provost marshal, and later was deputy internal revenue collector for his district. He belonged to the Masonic Fraternity, and attended the Congre- gational Church. For a number of years he was active in the State militia, and on Aug. 28, 1845, he was appointed adjutant of the 17th Regiment of Infantry, under Col. Ezekiel Hosford. In any movement for the public benefit he took a leading part, and when the Connecticut & Western railroad was projected he was chosen to represent the in- terests of the town of Simsbury in that connection.

On Dec. 23, 1847, Capt. Goodrich was married in Simsbury to Miss Martha A. Ensign, who sur- vives him, and still resides at the homestead. She was born in Simsbury Feb. 1, 1822, a daughter of Moses and Martha ( Whiting) Ensign. Of her five children, the eldest, Martha S., married Chauncey Hart Eno, of Simsbury ; Nellie S. is the wife of our subject ; Nathan M. is a business man of Farming- ton, Minn .; Charles E. is in New York City ; and Miss Juliette resides in Simsbury.

H. H. ELLSWORTH. No better illustration can be found of the possibilities that lie before the energetic and far-sighted business man than is given by the career of this well-known citizen of Windsor. The numerous enterprises with which he has been associated have proved uniformly profit- able, his intelligent oversight being a leading factor in their success, and at present he is the most ex- tensive real-estate owner in the town, with other large holdings elsewhere. His wealth has enabled him to manifest his public spirit in effective ways, and in all that pertains to good citizenship his in- fluence is recognized and valued, all projects for the advancement of educational or other interests receiv- ing his ready support.

The Ellsworth family is of English origin, and the name is found variously written Elswort, Elsworth, Elesworth, Ellesworth or Avlsworth, and is derived from a town near Cambridge, England, where they were the principal family, the river being remark- able for the quantities of eels caught. The first of whom we have record is John Ellsworth, who had three sons: One fled to Holland, and afterward came to the New World, settling in New York City in 1664; Arthur settled in North Kingston, R. I .; Josias (or Josiah) is the ancestor of our sub- ject, the latter being of the eighth generation in the line of descent. Josias Ellsworth was born in 1629, came from a town near Cambridge, England,

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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 155

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