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 174

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 174

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William G. Comstock in politics was a Whig, and was never anything else as a party man, as when that party went out of existence he kept aloof from party alliance. At one convention of Whigs, in Hartford, he met and shook hands with Henry Clay, and this incident he pleasantly recalled long afterward. While connected with the New England Review he was the first to introduce the name of William Henry Harrison as a candidate for the Presidency, to the people of New England, placing it at the head of his editorial column Jan. 30, 1836, "subject to the decision of the people."

Mr. Comstock was wont to recall that, a few years after the convention at which he met Mr. Clay, President Andrew Jackson visited Hartford, while making a tour of New England for purposes known to himself alone, but not with any political object in view. Mr. Comstock described him as riding a handsome white horse through Main street, busy in bowing his acknowledgments to the fluttering handkerchiefs in the hands of belles and dames in the windows, and to the huzzahs of the men who thronged the sidewalks. Following the President there were several barouches, in which were seated the principal citizens of Hartford and several mem-

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bers of the cabinet, including Martin Van Buren, Jackson's successor to the Presidency.

Mr. Comstock was one of the most bitter enemies of the old toll bridge company at East Hartford, and his advocacy of a free-bridge system was strong, able and effective. He fought the toll system for ten or fifteen years, and eventually conquered the rich old bridge corporation, and succeeded in es- tablishing free bridges across the Connecticut river ; the wisdom of his course was shown by the immedi- ate increase in the population on the east side of the river. In fact, he always manifested a wonder- ful capability for business, and certainly had no equal in the town, even in his advanced years. As a mechanic he invented an implement which met with a ready sale all over the globe, and was known as Comstock's Seed Sower and Cultivator. He was the largest landholder in East Hartford, where he erected many buildings. He was ever prompt in filling his obligations, and expected others to be so, and was never afraid to say "no" at the proper time. He and his sons have done more to build up East Hartford than any other family in the town. In his advanced age, notwithstanding the paralysis of his left side, Mr. Comstock kept his books him- self, drew up all his legal documents, and wrote with as steady a hand as any man of fifty.

CHARLES KELLEY, M. D., a prominent and successful physician of Plantsville, was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Nov. 11, 1859, a son of George W. and Rachel A. (Osborne) Kelley. The paternal grandfather, William W. Kelley, was a farmer and basket manufacturer of Dutchess county, N. Y., while the maternal grandfather, Isaac Osborne, was a carpenter and builder of New York City. George W. Kelley was a resident of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and at the time of his death, which occurred July 28, 1894, was general agent for H. D. Justi, manufacturer of dental supplies, of Philadelphia, and was also the president of the Trade Dental Association of the United States and Canada, being one of the best-known men in his line on this side of the Atlantic.

Our subject was reared in his native town and in Hyde Park, N. Y., and his literary education was obtained in the public schools of that State. In 1878, at the age of nineteen years, he commenced the study of medicine with his uncle, C. H. Yel- vington, M. D., of Susquehanna, Penn., and in 1880 entered the Eclectic Medical College of New York City, from which he was graduated in 1883. In August of the same year he began practice at Moore's Mill, N. Y., where he remained until May, 18844, and then came to Plantsville, Conn., where he has since been actively and successfully engaged in practice.

On June 13, 1887, Dr. Kelley was unitel in mar- riage with Miss Sarah Tornton, a daughter of Jacob and Mary ( Illingworth) Tornton, of Bis- marck. N. Dak., formerly of England. The Doc- tor is a member of the Congregational Church, of

Plantsville. Fraternally he is a prominent Mason, belonging to Friendship Lodge, No. 33, F. & A. M .; Triune Chapter, No. 40, R. A. M .; Temple Council, No. 32, R. & S. M. ; and Harmony Chap- ter, No. 55, O. E. S. ; and he also holds membership in Eureka Lodge, No. 75, I. O. O. F .; William Berry Lodge, No. 50, K. P .; Union Grange, No. 25. P. of H .; Hira Temple, No. 90, D. O. K. K .; Wonx Tribe, No. 28, I. O. R. M. ; Unity Council, No. II. O. U. A. M .; Southington Council, No. 1258, R. A .: and Panthorn Tent, No. 32, K. O. T. M. Politically he is identified with the Repub- lican party. He stands high in professional cir- cles, and as a citizen is widely and favorably known.

AMOS RICHARD ENO (deceased) was born in Simsbury, Hartford county, Nov. 1, 1810, and was the third child and second son of Salmon and Mary ( Richards) Eno. The father, Salmon Eno, was born Dec. 13, 1779, and died April 3, 1842 ; the mother, Mary ( Richards) Eno, was born in 1785, and died Sept. 29, 1883.

Amos R. Eno was a farmer boy on the home place until his sixteenth year, and his schooling was acquired altogether in his native town. At the age mentioned he went to Hartford as a clerk and on his return, with the limited means at his command, he opened a store at Hoskins Station, as it is now called, at the time when the old New Haven & Northampton canal was being constructed. As this work of construction drew a great many laborers to the neighborhood, and as his store was beside the canal, he did a thriving business. But a country store was too narrow in its scope for a man of his energy and business talents, and he sought the broader field of New York City, in which to ex- ercise his abilities, and met with tremendous suc- cess-realizing over twenty-five million dollars be- fore retirement.

Had Amos R. Eno, with the great intellect which his limited schooling left undeveloped, re- ceived an adequate education at the proper time of life, he would have become one of the greatest scholars of his age, as he became unsurpassed as a business man. He was a natural student, how- ever, and a keen observer, and taught himself through constant reading. Every hour not devoted to business was passed in study, which afforded him the greatest pleasure possible. The languages especially appealed to his taste, French and Italian being his fa- vorites, the former of which he read with great flu- ency. Scientific works, also, had a great attraction for him, and this, added to his close observation of nature, furnished him with a fund of knowledge possessed by few-in fact only by noted and learned mien1.

Amos R. Eno married Lucy Jane Phelps, of Simsbury, in which town she was born, a daughter of Hon. Elisha and Lucy ( Smith) Phelps, the for- mer of whom was born in Simsbury, Nov. 16, 1779, and the latter in Middletown, Conn. To this felicitous union were born seven children, in the

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following order : Amos F., of New York ; Mary J. (Mrs. Pinchot), of the same city; Anna Maria, deceased; Henry Clay, of Saugatuck, Conn .; An- toinette (now Mrs. Wood, a widow), of Simsbury ; John Chester, of New York; and William Phelps, of Saugatuck, Connectictit.

In his latter years Mr. Eno gave up his residence in New York and came to live permanently in Sims- bury, where he had for years maintained a summer residence. But his business affairs required much of his time in the great city, and he stopped at the "Fifth Avenue Hotel," which he had built. Shortly before his death he established a city home at the corner of Fifth avenue and Tenth street, where his death took place Feb. 21, 1898, his remains being brought to Simsbury for interment beside those of his wife, who died in November, 1883. He was a member of the Congregational Society (not of the church), and freely contributed to the support of the church.

While Mr. Eno had at his command the means to gratify every whim and to secure every luxury known, his happiest dream and greatest joy were found in his hope of returning to Simsbury. His millions did not change the individual, and he was always proud to shake the hand of his old boyhood friends, who had been less successful in progress through life. He was known to everybody in his town, but nobody could possibly be less pretentious, and yet dignified, and none commanded greater

respect. His life was marked by acts of kind- ness and generosity to brothers and other relatives, near and distant, and his acts of munificence were innumerable. Not a project was ever broached in Simsbury for more than forty years that he was not solicited to aid, and as often as he was solicited he responded in a most substantial manner. Mr. Eno was conceded to be the best judge of real estate values in New York City, and probably his opinion was oftener sought on this subject than that of any other man of his time. That he was far-seeing in this respect is proven by the fact that every penny of his vast fortune was earned by himself, the greater part of it through real estate investments. From a poor boy he developed himself into one of the richest men that Connecticut ever produced, and Simsbury is proud that it was his brithplace. The following excerpt, taken from the Hartford Courant's obituary notice published shortly after the death of Mr. Eno, throws some additional light upon the lamented deceased's career in New York, and is well worth reading :

Amos Richards Eno, the well-known New York million- aire, who has lived for a large part of his life in Simsbury and was one of the most prominent residents of that town, died at his home in New York yesterday morning after a brief illness. He was eighty-seven years old. Until four years ago, when he had an attack of pneumonia, he was remark- ably strong in mind and body, but since that time he has been in poor health, and his death was due to a general breaking down and old age. * * *%

John Olmstead, of this city, offered to make Mr. Eno his partner, but he refused, went to New York, and not long after took into partnership his cousin, John J. Phelps, a

wholesale dry-goods merchant. The firm was successful, and it was there that he laid the foundation of his great for- tune. The partnership finally separated, and Mr. Eno organized the firm of Eno, Mahony & Co. He began to purchase real estate, and his interests in that direction be- came so large that he gave up the dry-goods business entirely.

He was a daring buyer, but it was seldom that he made a venture which did not have a successful ending. He con- ceived and put into operation the idea of building the " Fifth Avenue Hotel," although it was considered at that time that the site was so far up-town as to render it impossible that a hotel there should pay. When the building was begun it was generally known as "Eno's folly." The risk was thought to be a tremendous one, but nevertheless the building was finally completed and opened as the lead- ing hotel of New York. The profits were large, and soon after Mr. Eno bought the triangular piece of land at the corner of Broadway and Fifth avenue, at Twenty-third street, for $25,000, which is now the annual rental of the property. For several years he lived in a house at the cor- ner of Fifth avenue and Twenty-seventh street, for which he originally paid 8125,000. A few years ago he sold it to the Reform Club for $227,000. Mr. Eno was the owner of property in that vicinity, his fortune in real estate being an enormous one.

Mr. Eno purchased the old Elisha Phelps property on Main street, in Simsbury, where he spent his summers when he was not abroad. He always interested himself in the affairs of the town, and was ever ready to give to any object which he considered worthy. He was a man of very benevolent nature. He gave to the town a pub- lic library which, together with all the additions he made to its collections, has cost about 835,000. He bought a large tarm and gave it to the town, with the buildings on it, as a home for the town poor. He gave with great liberality to the First Congregational Church of Simsbury. He was inter- ested in the work of Dr. Parkhurst in New York, and aided in its promotion by a generous outlay of funds.

He was a very keen man, of sharp wit, but of a hearty and cordial bearing, which with a warm heart won for him a host of friends. As he said of himself, when he was a young man he was so eager to learn that there was always " an interrogation point at the end of his nose." There are many relatives living in Simsbury, the family is of remark- able longevity -- there being still alive his sisters, Mrs. Eme- line Bassett, of New Britain, aged ninety-four; Mrs. Milton Humpreys, of Farmington, aged eighty-two; and his brother Salmon C. Eno, who is also very old. The wife of Amos, Eno, who died about fifteen years ago, was Lucy Jane Phelps, of Simsbury, the daughter of Elisha Phelps, and the sister of Gov. Phelps, of Missouri, who served nine terms in the United States House of Representatives.

EDWARD GAGER FOX, M. D., was born at Wethersfield Aug. 8, 1859, a son of the late Dr. Roswell Fox, who was a practicing physician at that place for nearly half a century, and held in high esteem as a physician, a citizen and a man.

The Doctor's great-grandfather, Roswell Fox, Sr., was a Revolutionary soldier, and took part in the battle of Lexington. He was a farmer by oc- ctipation. His son David A. was born in Bozrah, Conn., and also took up farming, making his home at Lebanon. He was twice married, his first wife being Wealthy Saxton, by whom he had three chil- dren: Roswell; Eunice, who died in infancy; and Dr. David A. The last named studied medicine at the New York University, graduating therefrom in 1849; he is now a resident of Clinton, Conn. David A. Fox had several children by his second wife, Sarah Waterman, but the only one now liv- ing is Sarah Maria, widow of H. H. Starkweather, ex-member of Congress.

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Dr. Roswell Fox was born at Lebanon, Conn., Nov. 14, 1825, and passed his early years upon a farm, receiving his first scholastic training at the district schools, in which so many of New Eng- land's eminent sons acquired their first impulse toward a higher, broader culture. At the age of seventeen he himself became an instructor in those primitive "seats of learning," and soon afterward supplemented his early schooling by attendance at the Bacon Academy, at Colchester, and Wilbraham (Mass.) Academy. His predilection was for the study of medicine, and in 1844. he became a stu- dent in the office of Dr. Elisha Phinney, of Yantic. The following year he entered Yale College, and after a year's study at that institution went to New York, where he matriculated at the Medical Department of the New York University. Upon receiving his diploma and degree, in 1847, he went to Wethersfield, where he resided until his death, Oct. 25, 1898. He was at once appointed visiting physician of the State prison at that town, of which his father, David A. Fox, was one of the board of directors. In 1896 he gave up active practice to pass the remainder of his busy, useful life in well- earned retirement and rest.

In 1848 Dr. Fox was married to Miss Ann M. Gager, and they lived to celebrate their golden wed- ding. Two children were born to them: Edward G. and Charles J. On May 18, 1887, the latter married Lillian Winslow, of Simsbury, who died Sept. 28, 1888. Dr. Roswell Fox was indeed a self-made man, for when he entered upon the prac- tice of his chosen profession he had but fifteen dol- lars, and he gained success by diligent and per- sistent effort. He was a stanch Democrat, and a consistent member and liberal supporter of the Congregational Church. His townsmen attested their appreciation of his character and capability by electing him to various offices, among them be- ing those of selectman and school visitor. He was a member of both the State and County Medical Societies, in whose deliberations he was deeply in- terested, and in whose proceedings he took an active part. He was for twenty years president of the Comstock Ferre Seed Company, and belonged to the old Charter Oak Fellowship Lodge, I. O. O. F., the first of that order to be organized in Weth- ersfield.

Edward G. Fox enjoyed exceptionally good educational advantages. He passed through the grammar and high schools with credit, and had, for a time, the benefit of the instruction of a pri- vate tutor. In 1878 he began the study of medi- cine in his father's office, and in 1879 entered the medical school of New York University. In addi- tion to the prescribed course of three years at that institution he took a special course on the heart and lungs, and graduated in 1883 with high honors. On leaving college he returned to Wethersfield, and entered into a professional partnership with his father. He is still engaged in active and successful practice in the town where he was born and reared.

For seven years, 1891-1898, he served as visiting physician of the State prison, and was re-appointed July 1, 1900; this position was filled some forty years before by his father. He is a prominent mem- ber of the Connecticut State and Hartford County Medical Societies, and of the American Medical As- sociation, and is a Mason of high degree, being affil- iated with St. John's Lodge, of Hartford, as well as Pythagoras Chapter and Washington Com- mandery. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious faith a Congregationalist.

On Oct. 26, 1892, Dr. Fox was married to Miss Frances S. Wells, daughter of the late George L. Wells, of Wethersfield. They have one child, Kenneth Lewis, born Jan. 30, 1896.

LYMAN RISLEY, the well-known retired lum- ber merchant and extensive property holder of East Hartford Meadow, where he has been a resident for nearly sixty years, was born in Hockanum, town of East Hartford, Feb. 5, 1820. Mr. Risley is de- scended from one of the oldest of New England families, and is to-day one of the best preserved gen- tlemen of his years, one so seldom seen after a busy life that began when he was a boy and closed its activity only within the past few years.

Benjamin Risley, grandfather of Lyman, was a carpenter by calling, resided in Glastonbury, and there died at an advanced age. He had a very large family, of whom three sons went to the State of New York, where they passed the remainder of their lives.

Ashbel Risley, father of Lyman, was born in Glastonbury, and was also a carpenter. He mar- ried Lucinda Goodale, who was born at Burnside, Conn., and also came of a very old and respected family. Ashbel Risley died at the age of seventy- four years, and his wife was over ninety-six years old when she died; the remains of both were in- terred at Hockanum. Of their children, three only are now living: Lyman, the subject of this sketch ; Delia, widow of a Mr. Waterman, of Manchester, Conn. : and Robert, who lives in Hockanum.

Lyman Risley received a meager education in the district schools, which did not afford advantages equal to those of the present day, and being the eldest son he began working for himself at the age of ten years, his parents not being over wealthy. He began by picking up potatoes (after they had been dug) at one cent per bushel, and some times, when a "youngster," worked for his simple board. In March, 1841, Mr. Risley came to East Hart- ford, where he found work as a farm hand. In July, 1841, he married Miss Betsey Lewis, of Hebron, Conn., and went to housekeeping in Hock- anum, being at the time twelve dollars in debt. During the same year he entered the employ of Marston & Treat, lumber dealers of East Hartford Meadow, with whom he continued to work for twenty-five years, later became a partner with Mr. Marston, finally became sole proprietor and con-

Lymon Disly

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ducted the business until succeeded by his grand- children, Jencks Brothers, the present proprietors --- having been in the lumber trade more than half a century. He began with Marston & Treat as a common laborer during the summer season only, and chopped wood in the winter at two shillings per cord ; now he is one of the wealthiest men of East Hartford town, not through any fortuitous circumstances, but through his own personal en- deavor and the exercise of the sound judgment with which he is blessed.

This judgment was exemplified in his fortunate choice of his wife, who was a most amiable lady, a valuable helpmate, and a noble, kind-hearted mother. To their marriage were born three chil- dren : One that died in infancy unnamed ; Caroline (Mrs. Babcock). of East Hartford Meadow ; and Erwin Risley, of the same village. Mrs. Risley passed away in the fall of 1891, when she was over seventy years of age, and her remains lie at rest in Hockanum cemetery. In 1854 Mr. Risley built for himself and family a fine dwelling in East Hart- ford Meadow, which he occupied until 1875, when he erected his present handsome residence. Up to the winter of 1898-99 Mr. Risley had hardly ever suffered a pain from illness or an infirmity of age, and he still retains each faculty in its full perfec- tion. No harder worker ever existed, and he is still indefatigable in his attention to his real-estate interests.

From his youth Mr. Risley has been an admirer of a good horse, and among others he raised the stanch roadster "Charles Jefferson," which, at the age of twenty-five years was probably the speed- iest road horse in New England. Mr. Risley is an excellent reinsman, notwithstanding his advanced years, and still holds membership in the Gentle- men's Driving Club of Hartford. He is also a stockholder in the East Hartford Driving Club Company.

Mr. Risley, it will have been seen, is from a busi- ness point of view a decidedly selfmade man, and during his long career his integrity has never been called in question. He has led a useful life, his en- terprises resulting in vast benefit to his fellow- men, and his innumerable benefactions have been bestowed unostentatiously and with that innate modesty and unaffectedness that ever mark the true-born gentleman.

LAWRENCE DALY, deceased. The subject of this sketch was the founder of a prosperous and successful family in the town of South Wind- sor, the members of which since his untimely death, a quarter of a century ag ), have most admirably conducted the farm, his widow displaying business ability of a high order and carrying on the work which he began.

Mr. Daly was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1837, a son of John and Mary (Dovlon) Daly. The family came to America about the year 1854, and settled in the town of East Windsor. Of the

four children, Patrick died Feb. 25, 1862; John D., a farmer in East Windsor town, is the only sur- vivor ; William died June II, 1881 ; Lawrence is our subject.

When Lawrence Daly was fifteen years of age he began working on the farm by the month for Samuel Watson, of East Windsor, and other farni- ers. He then began raising tobacco on shares, for Mrs. Fish, near Warehouse Point, and subsequently moved to South Windsor, for a year managing the farm of Dr. Mary Tudor's father. Mr. Daly then purchased twelve acres of land, which he occupied until 1869, in that year purchasing and moving to the farm which he conducted successfully until his death Nov. 27, 1874. He was a member of the Catholic Church.

Mr. Daly was married May 16, 1871, to Mrs. Johanna Bergen, and to their union were born two daughters, Mary and Catherine, both at home, the latter being the wife of James Francis.

Since her husband's death Mrs. Daly has super- intended and carried on the farm, raising from six to ten acres of tobacco yearly. She is a woman of unusual ability, one whose methods in industry, thrift and enterprise are a model in tobacco grow- ing. She owns one of the finest tobacco-producing farms in South Windsor, equipped with many modern improvements, most of which she herself has made. Mrs. Daly and her two daughters are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church, East Hart- ford.

Mrs. Johanna Daly was born Aug. 25, 1841, in County Cork, Ireland, of which her parents, Will- iam and Bridget (Keefe) Fitzgerald, were also natives. They were reared and married in the country of their birth, and became the parents of nine children, two of whom died in childhood ; James died unmarried ; Mary married William Vander- bilt and died in California, in 1898, leaving five chil- dren ; Johanna (Mrs. Daly) is next in the order of birth; Julia died unmarried. Nov. 9, 1892; Bridget is the wife of Christopher Francis, of New York ; William died in Milwaukee, Wis., in January, 1876; Michael is a resident of New York City. Both parents died in New York, the mother in 1858, and the father in 1875. Johanna Daly was eight years of age when her parents came with their family to America, the passage to New York lasting six weeks and three days. They landed at Castle Garden, and she remained in New York City until 1871, when she removed to South Windsor. On May 16, 1860, she married Thomas Bergen, a pattern- maker, of New York, by whom she had one daugh- ter, Margaret, born May, 31, 1861, now the wife of William Hines, a carpenter of East Hartford. Mr. Bergen died in the fall of 1861.

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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 174

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