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 165

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 165

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Joseph B. North was born Dec. 31, 1824, on the old homestead in Avon, and received a practical education in the district schools of the neighborhood. He learned the trade of blacksmith with his father, but he made agriculture the principle business of his life, and after his father's death he devoted him- self to the cultivation of the homestead, in addition to general farming giving considerable attention to stock raising and dairying. He made numerous improvements on the place which enhanced both its

appearance and value, and he was a representative man of his day, taking his place among the intelli- gent and enterprising citizens of the town. He served his fellow citizens as register of voters and in various other local offices, and in 1892 he repre- sented the district in the State Legislature, dis- playing in every trust a fidelity to duty and execu- tive ability which satisfied all concerned, and won him the esteem of his constituents, who were un- stinted in their praise of his high moral worth. His honesty and straightforwardness were unquestioned. Mr. North was married in Avon to Miss Harriet Gabriel, who was born in 1830, daughter of Phineas Gabriel, a native of Suffield, Hartford county, who carried on a mercantile business in Avon. Two children were born to them, Annie and Lucian F., the former of whom became the wife of David Tay- lor ; Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are both deceased. Mrs. North passed away Sept. 3, 1853, at the early age of twenty-three years, and was laid to rest in Avon cemetery. She was a member of the Congregational Church, an earnest Christian woman, and her death was sincerely mourned by all who knew her. Mr. North survived until Sept. 3, 1896, and he was also interred in Avon cemetery. He was liberal in re- ligious matters, and in political faith he was a stanch Democrat.

Lucian F. North was born March 1, 1852, on the old North homestead at Nod, town of Avon, where all his life has been passed. During his boyhood he attended the district schools near his home, com- pleting his education in the high school of Avon, and he gained his knowledge of agricultural pur- suits under his father's tuition, assisting him until his death, since when he has carried on the place on his own account. He raises general crops, but he has devoted special attention to tobacco culture, dairying and stock farming, and he has made an all- round success in these lines, proving himself a man of enterprise and progressive ideas in everything he has undertaken. His business ability and energy, combined with systematic methods and intelligent management have placed him in the front rank of modern farmers in the town of Avon, and he has always maintained the high standard of honesty characteristic of the family. Popular and respected, with a pleasant home and comfortable competence, and hosts of friends which he and his equally hos- pitable and social wife have gathered round them, he occupies an enviable place among the best citi- zen of the community in which he resides as a worthy representative of one of Hartford county's oldest families.

Mr. North was married in Avon, in 1883, to Miss Lillie Esther Stowe, a native of the town, who is also a member of one of the early settled families of the county, being the daughter of Charles A. and Julia A. (Bishop) Stowe. On the paternal side she is a great-granddaughter of Jerry Stowe, who served as a soldier in the Revolution, and granddaughter of Isaac and Mehitabel (Smith)

723

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Stowe. Maternally she is a neice of Lucius S. and Fitch L. Bishop, of Avon, granddaughter of Samuel Bishop, and great-granddaughter of Thomas F. Bishop, who served during the Revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. North have one child, Florence Stowe, who is now attending school. Like his father, he is liberal in his religious views, and politically is a Democrat, but he takes no interest in party affairs beyond supporting what he believes to be the right candidates. He has filled the office of school visi- tor in his town, but he prefers to devote his entire time to his private affairs.

JAMES JONES, a substantial citizen of East Hartford Meadow, and one who has done much to- ward the building up of that village, was born in Manchester, England, in 1846. He is a son of Jeremiah and Mary ( Wood) Jones, who were the parents of three children, two sons and one daugh- ter, of whom our subject and his brother Joseph survive.

The Jones family originated in Lancashire, and was of very ancient and reputable stock, but the immediate ancestors of Jeremiah, father of our subject, had long been residents of Manchester, the manufacturing emporium of the county, as Liver- pool is the commercial capital. Jeremiah Jones in his younger days was a boiler-maker, but later in life became a coal merchant, carrying on a wholesale as well as a retail trade, and was quite a prominent citizen. He and wife came to the United States in 1871, and located in Hartford, Conn., in which city both he and his wife passed the remainder of their days.

James Jones received a limited education in the common schools of his native city, as he was quite young when withdrawn from school to aid his fa- ther in the coal trade, and was but thirteen years of age when he was apprenticed to Matthew Bailey, in Manchester, to learn blacksmithing, serving three years and nine months. After completing his ap- prenticeship, and while still in his minority, he em- barked in the coal trade on his own account, and, be- ing familiar with it, was very successful.

In the month of March, 1871, the family left Liverpool on board the "City of Washington," and after a passage of fourteen days of stormy weather landed at America, and came direct to Hartford from the port of disembarkation. In Hartford James Jones found his first employment in a boiler- shop, and in this city and vicinity he has ever since been engaged in his trade of blacksmithing in differ- ent shops, but chiefly in railroad shops, for over sev- enteen years.

The marriage of Mr. Jones took place Feb. 26, 1865. in St. John's Church, Dean's Gate, Manches- ter, England, to Miss Isabella llarrison, a native of the city, and a daughter of James and Mary ( Ford) Harrison. To this marriage have been born four children: Martha, born in England, is now Mrs. David Scofield, of Hartford; Mary Alice, also born

in England, is now Mrs. Philip R. Jones, and the mother of three children, Philip James, Joseph W., and Floyd R., of Portland, Conn. ; Isabella, likewisea native of England, is still under the parental roof, at East Hartford Meadow; and Elizabeth, born in the United States, is now ( 1900) a trained nurse in the Hartford Hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are consistent members of Christ Episcopal Church, at Hartford, and in politics Mr. Jones has regularly voted the Republican ticket since he has been en- titled to vote, but has never sought an office, prom- intent as he is. Fraternally he is a member of Orient Lodge, No. 62, F. & A. M., of East Hartford.

Since 1872 Mr. Jones has been a resident of East Hartford Meadow, although his employment has been in the city of Hartford. He is strictly temperate in his liabits, has never used liquor or tobacco, and through his exceeding skill as a me- chanic, and his steady-going habits has acquired considerable property in East Hartford Meadow, which he has improved-thus adding to the beauty and the desirability of the village as a place of resi- dence-having erected three handsome cottages and three double houses. He has in his wife a most valuable helpmate, who deserves much credit in aid- ing him in his prosperous career ; his children are a credit to their parents, and his daughters would ornament any society in which their lot might be cast. Plain-going and unassuming, Mr. Jones still works steadily at his trade, although in most com- fortable circumstances and classed with the sub- stantial and most highly-respected residents of the town.

JOHN SAUTTER, one of the energetic and progressive farmers of Berlin, was born July I, 1856, on the place where he now resides, a son of Stephen and Maria (Schmidt) Sautter, natives of Germany. Both are deceased, and are buried in Christian Lane cemetery. The father was a farmer by occupation, and on coming to America took up his residence in Berlin, Conn. For his second wife he married Catherine Schnidt.

During his boyhood and youth John Sautter be- came familiar with every department of farm work, and acquired his literary education in the schools of Berlin. On laying aside his text-books he worked on the home farm for a time, and then entered the employ of P. & F. Corbin, in the grinding depart- ment, and later was connected with the finishing department of their works. He was thus employed for four or five years during the winter months, while throughout the summer season he worked on the farm. Subsequently he was connected with Landers, Frary & Clark, and the American Hosiery Co., all of New Britain, until 1882, since which time he has devoted his entire attention to agricultural pursuits. He owns and successfully operates a good farm of thirty-seven acres in Christian Lane, and raises all kinds of produce.

Mr. Sautter was married, Oct. 2, 1880, to Miss

724

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Ellen Koonz, of Greenfield, Mass., who was born Aug. 21, 1859. Her parents, Christian and Mary ( Meyer) Koonz, both died and were buried in Greenfield. Mr. and Mrs. Sautter have had four children : Alydia Edith, born Feb. 8, 1886, graduated June 18, 1900, from the New Britain grammar school; Clarence Everett, born Jan. 21, 1891, is also attending school ; Arthur Charles, born Jan. 1, 1893, died Oct. 6, 1898, and was laid to rest in New Britain cemetery ; and Clifford John, born July 7, 1900.

In his political affiliations Mr. Sautter is a stanch Republican, and he takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs, giving his support to every enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit. He attends the Congregatonal Church, and is a liberal supporter of all church work. His wife is a member of the Episcopal Church, of Greenfield, Massachusetts.

PATRICK P. HICKEY, one of the most re- spected foreign-born residents of Burnside, is a son of Michael Hickey, a farmer by occupation, who was born in County Waterford, Ireland, and at the age of fifty years came to East Hartford, via New York, to join his sons, John and Patrick. In Ireland he married Margaret McCarty, a native of County Cork, which marriage was blessed with six children, born in the following order ; Hannah, still single, and living with her brother; Patrick P., our subject ; Peter also unmarried and living in Con- necticut ; John J., a farmer of East Hartford, whose biography will be found elsewhere; Michael, de- ceased ; and Mary, married to James Donovan. The father died in East Hartford in 1891, at a greatly advanced age; and his widow died at an equally advanced age, in February, 1899, at the home of her son, the subject of this sketch.

Patrick P. Hickey, whose brains and industry have brought him success in America, was born in County Waterford, Ireland, Sept. 15, 1855, attended school until fifteen years old, and then, leaving his parents behind him, sailed from Qeenstown on the steamer "Brooklyn," and after a voyage of nine days landed in the city of New York, where he found work, in a meat shop conducted by a cousin, John Hickey, at $3.00 per week and board for one vear. He went thence to Westerly, R. I., and learned the stonecutter's trade, working for J. G. Batterson, of Hartford, and followed the trade four- teen or fifteen years, earning about five dollars per day. He was advanced to the position of foreman of stonework on the capitol at Albany, N. Y., and in 1885 came to his present farm, then a tract of twenty-four acres, owned by his father. Our sub- ject made many improvements on the place, erect- ing tobacco sheds, etc., and where there were three acres of tobacco then raised there are eighteen raised now.

On April 16, 1882, Mr. Hickey married Miss Mary Kate Clinton, a native of Coeymans, Albany

Co., N. Y., and a daughter of Valentine and Brid- get (Driscoll) Clinton, and nine children have blessed this union : Alice, born Jan. 24, 1883; Mar- garet, July 25, 1884; Michael Joseph, Feb. 2, 1886; John H., July 31, 1888 ( deceased) ; Valentine, Aug. 31, 1889; Agnes Mary, Oct. 29, 1891; Francis Patrick, Oct. 18, 1893; Mabel Bridget, April 17, 1896; and Teresa, Jan. 21, 1898.

The Hickey family are all members of St. Mary's Catholic congregation, to the support of which, and its Sodalities, Mr. Hickey is a liberal contributor. In politics he is a Republican, but has never bothered himself with office-seeking, and his society relations are with the United Workmen, and St. Mary's Tem- perance Society. He is a hard-working, intelligent, up-to-date agriculturist, and invariably secures a good price for his tobacco output. His young fam- ily are very bright children, two of them being pupils at East Hartford High School. Mr. and Mrs. Hickey are among the most respected residents of the town of East Hartford.

OTTO FREDERICK STRUNZ, one of the most enterprising foreign-born business men it has ever been the good fortune of Bristol to have within her limits, was born in Saxony, Germany, Dec. 14, 1850.

William Strunz, father of Otto F., was born in the city of Crimmitzschau, Saxony, was a cloth weaver by trade, and married Miss Louisa Diesner, a native of the same city. To this marriage came nine children, in the following order : Adolph, born in 1844, is now a painter and paper hanger in Broad Brook, Conn .; Hermina, born in 1846, .died unmarried in 1896, in Cromwell, Conn .; Herman, born in 1848, died in Broad Brook in 1861; Otto F. is the subject of this biography; Charles F., born in 1853, is superintendent of the Glazier Woolen Mills at Glastonbury ; Frank, born in 1855, is a car- penter and joiner, and has charge of repairs at the Broad Brook Woolen Mill; Albert, born in 1857, is a bookkeeper in San Francisco, Cal .; Henry, born in 1859, is a lawyer in Palatka, Fla .; and William Victor, born in 1861, is a professional singer, and also has his residence in San Francisco. As the par- ents of this family came to America in 1854, the chil- dren born prior to that date are natives of Saxony. William Strunz, on settling in Broad Brook, Conn., in 1854, at once secured the position of inspector of the product of the woolen mills at that town, and held his place until he retired from active work. He was a Unitarian in religion, a Republican in politics, and was a Free Mason. He lost his wife in 1863, and his own death took place in Broad Brook.

Otto F. Strunz attended the common schools of Broad Brook until sixteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the trade of wool dyeing, remaining three years, and then worked for Ralph Belknap, at carpenter work. In 1871 he came to Bristol, and worked for Elbert Case four years at

725

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

joiner work, and then for other builders until 1879, when he purchased the coal business of A. C. Hen- dee, conducted in the rear of Wightman's mill, now known as Eaton's elevator. In 1880 he started the Bristol bakery, which he successtully conducted for eight years, in connection with the coal and wood business. On August 1, 1889, Mr. Strunz sold the bakery to J. W. Lounsbury, and retired from that line of business with the intention of taking life a little easier, but was prevailed upon to assume charge of the plant of the Bristol Electric Light Co., which position he held for five years, when he as- sumed the position of superintendent of the Con- solidated Electric Light and Plainville & Bristol Tramway Co. (of which he is a director), the ar- duous duties of which he discharges to the satis- faction of all concerned. Fecling the effects of long-continued, close application to business, and the numerous responsibilities, he resigned the position of superintendent, his resignation being reluctantly accepted by the directors. Mr. Strunz is a director in the Codling Manufacturing Co., of Bristol ; of the E. N. Welch Co., at Forestville; and of the Masonic Building Co.

Mr. Strunz married Miss S. Addie Thompson, daughter of Hiram C. Thompson, and this marriage was crowned by the birth of one child, Hermina, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Strunz attend the Congregational Church, and are highly respected within and without its pale. Mrs. Strunz is a Daughter of the Revolution.

In politics Mr. Strunz is thoroughly Republican, and as such was elected representative from Bristol in 1898 and 1900, but it may truthfully be said, the honor was not at all solicited on his part. He is president and treasurer of the Bristol Press (In- dependent), the oldest paper in the town. Frater- nally he is eminent as a Freemason, and is promi- nent as a member of Hiram Temple, No. 90, Knights of Khorassan, of New Britain, and of E. Lodge, No. 9, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Strunz owns a cot- tage at Sachem Head, and takes his outings at that beautiful place.

WARREN TAYLOR, the well-known real- estate operator of South Manchester, comes of gen- uine Connecticut stock, his grandfather, Junius Taylor, and his father, Lewis Taylor, having both been natives of Glastonbury, Hartford county.

Lewis Taylor, who was a farmer, removed from that town to Manchester, and purchased a farm. He afterward bought property in the village where he lived until his death, which occurred May 12, 1885, when he had reached his eighty-fourth year. The farm is now occupied by the widow of his son Pitkin. He conducted a wholesale and retail meat buiness, and owned a market in South Manchester, which he opened a few years after coming from Glastonbury. He married Miss Merlona Keeney, by whom he had eight children, and of this large family Warren was sixth in order of birth. The

others were : Pitkin; Jeanette, who married Norman Keeney ; Wells; Adelia, now the widow of Sanford Keeney, of South Manchester; Albert, a farmer, and the owner of a meat market in that place ; Henry; and Charles, also a resident of South Man- chester. Pitkin, Jeanette, Wells and Henry are all deceased .

Warren Taylor was born in the town of Man- chester March 12, 1840, was reared on his father's farm, and educated in the common schools. At the age of twenty-six he bought a farm of his own, on which he resided until 1888, and during these years he engaged extensively in dealing in horses, chiefly of the sort used in general work. In 1889 he began operating in real estate. In that year he bought four acres of ground on Main street, in South Manchester, and commenced the construc- tion of dwelling houses, of which he has erected ten, all being modern and well-built. In 1891 he pur- chased a tract of forty acres, which he divided into building lots, some of which he sold, while he put up houses on others. He has been eminently suc- cessful, his sound judgment and keen business sense standing him in good stead.

On May 3, 1866, Mr. Taylor married Miss Mary Halpin, and they have had three children : Blanche, Howard and Fred. Of these, Blanche is the wife of George E. Keith, a hardware merchant of South Manchester ; Howard is a machinist, and Fred an electrician, both in the employ of Cheney Bros. In politics Mr. Taylor is a Prohibitionist. He belongs to no church, but is always ready to contribute to the advancement of every movement tending toward the uplifting of humanity.

WILLIAM JOHN CORRIGAN. The expres- sion "the dignity of labor" is exemplified in the life record of this gentleman, whose success in life may be attributed to earnest work and good manage- ment. He is a man of strong force of character, purposeful and energetic, and his keen discrimina- tion and sound judgment are shown in his capable management of business affairs. He makes his home in Kensington, Hartford county, and is suc- cessfully engaged in farming and dealing in har- ness, carriages, wagons, agricultural implements, and all kinds of road-building machinery.

Born in New Britain, Conn., Oct. 10, 1856, Mr. Corrigan is a son of William John and Anna (Drew) Corrigan, who were married in Glaston- bury in 1849. The father was born in Queens County, Ireland, in 1818, and throughout life fol- lowed the occupation of farming. When our sub- ject was two years old he removed with his family to Kensington, and purchased a farm of 140 acres near where our subject now lives. There he died Dec. 25, 1883, and his wife passed away Dec. 25, 1868, the remains of both being interred in Meriden.

Our subject is principally indebted to the schools of Kensington for his educational privileges, though he took a course in bookkeeping at the Blue Hills

726

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

school, under the special instruction of Clarence A. Waldo, a student of the Wesleyan University at Middletown, Conn. He continued to assist his fa- ther in the operation of the home farm until he was married, Nov. 23, 1881, to Miss Jennie Edith Byrne, of Newington, and then removed to Meri- den, where he was engaged in the meat business for two years. Subsequently he was interested in market gardening at West Hartford for six months, but after his father's death he returned home, in the spring of 1884, and operated the farm until 1890, when he purchased the Botsford farm from Grace Rustemeyer, where he now resides, contain- ing 140 acres of land and the buildings, and which he himself cultivates. He also owns another 150- acre farm, the old homestead. Mr. Corrigan sells all kinds of farm machinery, being agent for the Deering Harvester Co .; the Champion Road Ma- chine Co., of Kennet Square, Penn .; the Aultman Manufacturing Co., of Canton, Ohio; and the Mil- burn Wagon Co., together with many other wagon and carriage companies. He is a wide-awake, pro- gressive business man, and is meeting with excel- lent success in his undertakings. His office is in Meriden.

To Mr. and Mrs. Corrigan have come the fol- lowing children: William Edward, born Aug. 23, 1882, graduated from St. Rosa's parochial school, Meriden, and is now at home; Catherine Alice, born Feb. 18, 1884, attended St. Rosa's parochial school, and in June, 1900, completed the course in the Pequot Business College, Meriden; Mary An- nette, born Aug. 29, 1885, is attending St. Rosa's parochial school; Jane Anna, born July 8, 1888, died Jan. 1. 1893, and was buried in Meriden ; Martha Edna, born Nov. 20, 1890, and Ethel Anna, born Feb. 19, 1896, complete the family.

Mr. Corrigan and his family hold membership in St. Rose's Church, of which they are liberal sup- porters, and he is a member of the board of gov- ernors of the Meriden Catholic Club. Socially he affiliates with Silver City Lodge, No. 3, O. U. A. M., and Alfred Hall Council, No. 1423. R. A., both of Meriden. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party, but at local elections votes for the man whom he considers best qualified to fill the office. He was an efficient member of the school board for sixteen years, but resigned in May, 1899, in order to give his undivided attention to his extensive business interests.

WILLIAM T. DUNHAM, a respected and sub- stantial citizen, tobacco grower and general agri- culturist of Hockanum, town of East Hartford, was born Sept. 16, 1821, and is the eldest of the four children that blessed the marriage of Isaac A. and Mary (Risley) Dunham.

Isaac A. Dunham was born in 1796, and lived for some time in Gilead, Conn., later moving to Gastonbury. He was a valiant soldier in the war of 1812, and took an active part in the defense of

New London, as well as in several minor battles. The children born to his marriage with Mary Ris- ley, a native of Marlboro, Conn., and a daughter of Samuel Risley, were William T., our subject ; Mary E., who was married to Selden H. Tracy, a farmer, and lived in Tolland and Glastonbury, both being now deceased; a daughter whose name is not on record, but who was married, went to the Far West, and there died; and Maria S., who was married to Selden H. Tracy (the husband of her deceased sister Mary E.), and is now living in Glas- tonbury. The father of this family died in January, 1867.

William T. Dunham, the subject of this sketch, received an ordinary education, and as he grew to manhood he engaged in farming. With his hard- earned savings he made a part payment on Chester McKee's interest in the "McKee Brothers farm." Chester McKee being his first wife's uncle, and four years later he paid with his savings the bal- ance of this farm debt.

Mr. Dunham married Harriet McKee, a native of Glastonbury, and a daughter of Eli McKee. She passed away Aug. 23, 1863, and Mr. Dunham sub- sequently wedded Eliza McKee, sister of his first wife, but she survived only until August, 1869. He then married Eleanor Loveland, who was left an orphan when an infant. Mrs. Eleanor Dunham also died, and for his fourth wife Mr. Dunham wedded Eliza J. Robinson, a native of Ireland, who died Sept. 24, 1898. Children were born only to the third union ( that to Eleanor Loveland), which was graced with three, as follows: Charles, born June 15, 1872, died Aug. 25, 1872; William R., born May 7, 1873, in Glastonbury, is now managing the home farm for his father, and is single; Kate L., born April 13, 1876, was married Oct. 12, 1898, to George H. Carrier, a farmer of Glastonbury, and now living there.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 165

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