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 176

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 176

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Jacob Henry Roser, the father of our subject, was one of the three brothers who became tanners. He was born in Stuttgart, July 25, 1811, received a good education in the common and select schools, and learned from his father the tanner's trade, which he followed through life. He married Paulina Metz- ger, who was born in Stuttgart, June 3, 1816, and died May 9, 1865. Of their nine children, the two eldest were daughters, and both married ministers; they have several sons who are ministers, and one son a missionary in German East Africa. Of the seven sons, the eldest, Henry, is a leather manu- manufacturer in Stuttgart and Urach, Wurtemberg. The second, Julius, and the third, Rudolph, carry on their father's now very much enlarged tanning establishment. The fourth son, Theodore, is a wholesale grocer in Stuttgart. The fifth, Albert, has a drug store in Backnang, a town in Wurtemberg, filled with tanneries of all sizes. The sixth, Paul, carries on a chicory manufactory in Heilbronn, Wur- temberg, while the seventh is the subject of our sketch and the youngest of the family.

Hermann August Roser was born in Stuttgart, Nov. 29, 1859. In his youth he received a very good education, attending the best schools in Wur- temberg, and among other studies taking up French and English. On account of his good education he passed the necessary examination relieving him from more than one year's service in the army. Ilaving learned from his father and brother the trade of tanner, he in April, 1880, at the expiration of his year of military service, began work at his trade with C. Keller, at Winterthur, Switzerland. A year later he went to Geneva, going from there to Lyons, France, and thence to Bale, Switzerland. He was then employed for about six months at Mulhouse, Alsace, whence he returned home, and for a time worked in the home tannery. Then he went to Mayence, Frankfort, and down the Rhine, visiting many tanneries, and finally worked in a large tan-

nery near Bielefeld, Westphalia. From Bielefeld he went to Muhlheim on the Ruhr, where again he worked in several tanneries, thence to Liege city, and then home, deciding to come to America in- stead of visiting the tanneries of England and Scot- land, as he had originally intended.

In company with his cousin, Charles Nanz, Mr. Roser sailed from Bremen in October, 1884, on the steamer "Donau," which encountered rough weather and was thirteen days en route to New York. After his arrival in the United States Mr. Roser worked for about two years in various places, in- cluding New York City, Newark, N. J., Lancaster, Penn., and Boston, Mass. In March, 1886, he came to Glastonbury, Conn., and the same year purchased his present business from Isaac Broadhead, and has ever since conducted it most successfully, employing at times as many as ten men. Mr. Roser tans only hog skins, and makes a very fine quality of leather for saddle's, pocket-books, whip-handles, and all sorts of leather novelties. The products of his tannery are sold throughout the United States, are shipped to Canada, and also at times to European markets.

In the spring of 1888 Mr. Roser visited his old home in Germany, and on May 5, 1888, he mar- ried Miss Maria Veil, who was born Jan. 7, 1865, daughter of John and Emily (Koch) Veil. John Veil is a tanner at Schorndorf, Wurtemberg, and since 1689 nearly all of his ancestors have followed the trade of tanner. To our subject and wife were born three children: Hans, born May 15, 1889; Lydia, July 17, 1890; and Martin Luther, Sept. II, 1893. In politics Mr. Roser is a Republican, a liberal in local elections, and has never sought office. Ile is a member of the Congregational Church. Mrs. Roser died Nov. 11, 1899, after a long illness, which she bore most patiently. She possessed very precious qualities, and was loved and honored by everybody. On July 28, 1900, Mr. Roser was mar- ried to Miss Maria Heim, who was born Dec. 29, 1865, at Dundeuheim, Baden. Like his first wife, she possesses many accomplishments, and her circle of friends is increasing with every new acquaintance.

FRANCIS C. ROOT (deceased) was during his lifetime one of the leading contractors and builders of West Suffield, where are seen on all sides many notable examples of his skill and handiwork. He was an upright, reliable business man, who always fulfilled his part of every contract, and the liberal patronage he received attested his ability in his chosen calling.

Mr. Root was born in West Suffield, May 8, 1842, and was a grandson of Noah Root, a native of Massachusetts, and a farmer by occupation, who died in Granville, that State. The father of our subject, Silas Root, was born in Southwick, and was only four years old when his father died. In his native place he was reared, receiving only the advantages of a common-school education, and when a young man he removed to Westfield, Mass., where he learned the tanner's trade. On coming to Suf-

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field, Hartford Co., Conn., he engaged in teaming and farming, and also drove a stage and carried the United States mail from Hartford to Westfield dur- ing the remainder of his life, his home being in West Suffield. He died in 1869, and was buried in the cemetery there. He was a lifelong Democrat, but never sought office, and was a faithful member of the Congregational Church, to which his wife also belonged. In West Suffield he married Rhoda Pomeroy, and of the five children born to them three died in infancy; Sarah became the wife of Horace Kent, of Suffield; and Francis C. is our subject. The mother also died in West Suffield.

During his boyhood and youth Francis C. Root attended the public schools of West Suffield. At the age of sixteen he commenced driving a stage and carrying the mail for his father between Hart- ford and Westfield. In July, 1863, he enlisted as regimental clerk in the Ioth Mass. V. I., and after two years with that command joined the 6th Michi- gan Cavalry, in the same capacity, under Gen. Mer- ritt. Ile witnessed the surrender of Gen. Lee to Gen. Grant, April 9, 1865, and when the war ended went to Washington, D. C., where he remained in the employ of the government until October, 1865. Re- turning to West Suffield, he engaged in the manu- facture of cigars until 1871, and then having a good knowledge of the carpenter's trade, he worked as a journeyman for four years. In 1875 he began contracting and building in partnership with Mr. Miskell, but from 1877 he was alone in business, and in West Suffield town erected over a hundred tobacco-sheds, thirty barns, and twenty-five of the best residences. He bore an enviable reputation for fair and honorable dealing, and enjoyed the re- spect and confidence of all with whom he came in contract, in either business of social life. He built his own home in West Suffield, which is a com- fortable residence supplied with all modern improve- ments, and there passed away July 9, 1899. His remains were interred in West Suffield cemetery.

In Springfield, Mass., May 23, 1866, Mr. Root married Miss Martha Olive Moore, a native of Chicopee Falls, that State, and a daughter of Mar- vin and Olive (Austin) Moore. Her grandfather, Amasa Austin, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. To our subject and wife were born four chil- dren: (1) Olive Louise is the wife of George A. Sheldon, of West Suffield, by whom she has one child, Howard Root. (2) Francis Silas, a talented young man, was educated in the public schools of West Suffield, is now working at the carpenter's trade, and has invented and patented a self-holding parcel carrier for bicycles. He was married, Feb. 6, 1900, to Miss Grace L. Griswold, of East Granby, Conn. (3) Martha May is the wife of George L. Warner, by whom she has one child, Edwin George. (4) Grace Florence is the wife of Edwin F. Mann, of East Granby.

Socially Mr. Root was a member of Apollo Lodge, No. 69, F. & A. M., and politically was an ardent Democrat. He was a recognized leader of

the party in his community, and had several times been its candidate for representative to the State Legislature, but the township being overwhelm- ingly Republican he was defeated. However, he filled the office of selectman for four years, was chairman of the school board of West Suffield for several years, and served in other local offices with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the general public.

AMON LATIMER (deceased), who during his life was one of Simsbury's representative citizens, was born at Weatogue, Simsbury, May 21, 1816. The Latimers are an old New England family, and are among its best citizens. Waite Latimer, the first settler of the name in Simsbury, and the grand- father of our subject, was a native of Wethersfield, Conn. He removed to Simsbury before the Revolu- tion, took an active part in the French and Indian wars, and was a sergeant in the Revolution. By occupation he was a farmer and stock raiser. His four children were Martha, Ariel, David and Waite.

Ariel Latimer, the father of our subject, was a farmer at Meadow Plain, where he spent his entire life. He married Laura Phelps, daughter of Hon. Daniel Phelps, and she bore him children as follows : Amelia, who died young; Amon, our subject; Jer- ome, who died at the age of twenty-six years ; Franklin A., who died in 1898; Emily, who mar- ried Oliver Brown, of Waterbury, and later Dicius Latimer, who made his home in Simsbury; Martha, who died unmarried; and Emaline, who married John Smith, of New Haven, where he died of small pox. Both parents died on the farm, and were buried in Avon cemetery.

The subject of this sketch attended the district school of Meadow Plain, and at Southampton, Mass. He remained on his father's farm until 1846, when he removed to East Weatogue and bought 160 acres of land, known as the James Cornish farm, and where he spent the balance of his life, engaged in tobacco culture, dairying and general farming. He was both industrious and generous, made many im- provements on his property, was a man of noted honesty and honorable dealings, possessing a high moral character, in his habits was temperate and domestic, and lived up to the Golden Rule. He was a kind father, and a loving husband. His home farm was kept in good order, and his surroundings bespoke his taste and thrifty habits. He was genial in disposition, and liberal in re- in religious views, was well known, well liked and most highly respected. He was elected selectman of Simsbury, but never sought office.

Mr. Latimer married in Simsbury, Dec. 16, 1845, Lucia Amanda Case, a native of Meadow Plain, daughter of Horatio Nelson and Amanda Case, and granddaughter of Horatio G. and Hepsibah (Cor- nish) Case. Horatio G. Case, the grandfather, was born Sept. 27, 1777, and died in July, 1853. He was an extensive land owner in Simsbury, and an influ- ential politician, representing the town in the State

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Legislature, and serving in various other important capacities. Horatio G. Case was of the fifth genera- tion from John Case, the founder of this numerous and prominent Connecticut family. Horatio was a son of Jedediah and Mary (Hart) Case. Jedediah, born March 30, 1733, and a prominent farmer of Meadow Plain, was a son of Joseph and Hannah (Humphrey) Case. Joseph Case, born Feb. 2, 1701, and a Meadow Plain farmer, was a son of Joseph and Ann (Eno) Case. Joseph Case, Sr., was born April 6, 1674, son of John and Sarah (Spencer ) Case. John Case, the founder, migrated from Eng- land or Wales to Connecticut and settled at Wind- sor. In 1669 he removed to the town of Simsbury, at Weatogue, was the first constable of the town, represented the town in the General Court, and was a prominent pioneer.

To Amon and Lucia Amanda (Case) Latimer were born ten children : Laura J., who was a school teacher, and married Oliver F. Perry, of Collins- ville ; Juliaette, who married Albert L. Thayer, of Collinsville, Conn .; Seth Amon, who died at the age of nineteen years; Edwin J., who married Emma Monks, of Collinsville; Lucia Amelia, unmarried ; Mary. who married Walter Derrin, of Avon ; George who died young; Nellie Edith, unmarried; Alice, formerly a school teacher, now the wife of John S. Parson, of Unionville, Conn. ; and Emma T., wife of Dr. R. W. E. Alcott, of West Hartford. Our subject died May 24, 1889, and was buried in Sims- bury. He was afflicted with heart trouble, a disease which resulted in his death. Mr. Latimer was a man of sterling character, devoted to his family, unselfish in his relations to the community in which he lived, supporting public measures for the general good, and by his life exemplifying a high and es- timable type of American citizenship.

CHARLES WOLCOTT. The family name of Wolcott ranks among the oldest and most dis- tinguished in New England. From Colonial days to the present time this family has furnished to the Commonwealth, Church and State men re- nowned for their patriotism, learning, piety and statesmanship, soldiers who have written the rec- ord of their achievements across the page of his- tory in enduring characters, and public servants eminent alike in State and National affairs.

Like a majority of the old families of the States whose rugged coasts are washed by the waters of the Atlantic ocean and Long Island sound, the Wolcotts are of English origin and ancestry. The first American progenitor was Henry, the second son of John Wolcott, of Gildon Manor, Somer- setshire, England. The parish records show him to have been baptized Dec. 6, 1578. He married Elizabeth Sanders, and was converted to the re- ligious tenets of the Puritans through the preach- ing and instruction of Rev. John Elton, in 1630. He was animated wth all the zeal and fervor of a new convert, and deeply sympathized with the independent, manly spirit which preferred volun-

tary exile to proscription and persecution on ac- count of religious faith. He joined the War- ham and Maverick colony of emigrants in 1630, and in October of that year landed at Boston, where he was made a freeman. He first made his home at Dorchester, Mass., but in 1635 he removed to Windsor, Conn., being one of the earliest settlers of that town. That he was held in high esteem is attested by his election to the Lower House of the General Assembly, in 1637, while in 1640 his name headed the list of the inhabitants of Wind- sor. In 1643 he was elected to the Connecticut House of Magistrates, and discharged the duties of that difficult and delicate position with such rare ability and fidelity that he was annually re- elected thereto during the remainder of his life. In a word, it may be said of him that he was Windsor's most distinguished citizen. His long and useful life closed on July 5. 1655. He was the father of seven children. The eldest, John, was born in 1607, in which year he was baptized in the Established Church. He lived and died in Eng- land. Anna, the second child and eldest daughter, accompanied her parents to America, and Oct. 16, 1646, became the wife of Matthew Griswold, of Windsor, and later removed to Saybrook, where she died. Henry was born Jan. 21, 1610. The fourth and fifth children were named George and Christopher. The sixth (and second daughter). Mary, was married Jan. 25, 1646, to Job Drake, of Windsor Loch, and died in 1689. Simon B., the youngest of the family, was born in September, 1625.

Henry Wolcott, the second son and third child of Henry (first), came with his father to America from England, in which country he was born. He early united with the Dorchester Church, and was made a freeman of Boston in 1634. Two years later he removed to Windsor, where he became an importer and merchant, visiting England, on business, in 1671. He took a prominent part in public affairs, and his fellow townsmen showed their appreciation of his worth by electing him to various offices of high trust and grave responsi- bility. He was one of the nineteen leading citi- zens named in the charter of the Connecticut col- ony. He was chosen a member of the House of Deputies in 1660, and of the House of Magistrates in 1666, in both of which deliberative bodies his distinguished father had held a seat. He himself continued to sit in the Upper House, through an- nual re-elections, until his death. He was a mas- ter of the art of stenographic writing, as then prac- ticed, and in his system of abbreviation preserved numerous items of Windsor history, both interest- ing and valuable. He died July 23. 1680, and was buried in the town he had helped to build, and to which his life had been almost a benediction. His wife was Sarah Newberry, to whom he was mar- ried Nov. 8, 1641, at Windsor. She was a daugh- ter of Thomas Newberry, died July 16, 1684, and sleeps in the same burying-ground with her hus-

Ghi Wolcott

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band. To them were born eight children : Henry, Jan. 6, 1643; John, Feb. 28, 1644; Samuel, Oct. 8, 1647 ; Sarah, July 5, 1649, (married Jan. 6, 1674, to Capt. John Price, of Salem, Mass. ) ; Mary, Dec. 6, 1651, (married June 2, 1679, to James Russell. of Charleston, dying in August, 1680) ; Hannah, March 6, 1653, ( died at Charlestown, Mass., Sept. 4, 1683) ; Samuel, April 16, 1656; and Josiah, July 21, 1658.

Josiah Wolcott received a classical education, but his natural preference was for a commercial life. He began his business career as a merchant at Windsor, later removing to Salem, Mass., where his native talent and stern integrity won him uni- versal esteem, and where he died, Feb. 9. 1729. He was prominently identified with the early set- tlement of Thompson, Conn., and may be called one of the original settlers. In 1686 he married Penelope Corwin, whose father, Capt. George Cor- win, was a resident of Salem, Mass. After her demise, he married Mary, a daughter of John Field, of Boston. She died at Boston, in 1752. Josiah Wolcott was the father of eleven children. Samuel Wolcott, who was the first of this hon- ored name to take up his residence in Wethersfield. was born at Windsor. April 16, 1656. He grew to manhood in his native town, and, following his father's example, became a storekeeper and gen- eral trader, carrying on business at both Windsor and Wethersfield. In this connection it should be stated that on his coming to Wethersfield he built on what is now generally described as "Wol- cott Hill," where he passed the remainder of his life. He was an extensive land-owner, an intelli- gent and upright man, an honored citizen, and was elected a member of the House of Deputies in .1685. He died at Wethersfield. June 14. 1695. On March 6, 1678. he married Judith Appleton, a daughter of Samuel Appleton, of Ipswich, Mass. She survived her husband forty-six years, dying Feb. 19, 1741. Samuel Wolcott and his wife were the parents of nine children, whose names, with the respective dates of their birth, were as given below : Samuel, April 11, 1679: Gershom, Nov. 14. 1680, died Sept. 28. 1682: Josiah, Feb. 27. 1682. died Oct. 23, 1712: Hannah, March 19, 1684, mar- rieed Rev. William Burnham, of Kensington, Conn., May 8. 1704: Sarah, born Aug. 14. 1686, became the wife of Robert Willis, of Wethersfield. Dec. 12, 1706: Lucy, Oct. 16. 1688, was married Feb. 1, 1713. to Samuel Robbins, of Wethersfield : Abigail. Sept. 23. 1690, died Nov. 9. 1714: Eliza- beth, May 23, 1692, died March 5. 1765 ; and Mary. May 14, 1694. married John Stillman, May 26, 1715.

Samuel Wolcott (2). the eldest of the family, and the son of Samuel Wolcott (I), was born at Wethersfield, but while still a youth was sent by his parents to reside with his uncle, Josiah Wol- cott, of Salem, Mass., under whose care he re- ceived a thorough business training, and with whom he remained until his father's death, when

he returned to Wethersfield. There he engaged in mercantile business, importing largely, and amassing what, for his time, was considered a large fortune. He enjoyed the prominence and influence in the community which attaches to large wealth when found in connection with high moral char- acter. He built a fine mansion, which is still in a good state of preservation, and which was fre- quently used by Washington and other generals of the Revolution as headquarters: and it is said that within its venerable, time-stained walls, more than one successful campaign was planned. He died at his home, Sept. 15, 1734, and a handsome monument marks his resting-place in Wethersfield cemetery. Dec. 27, 1705, he married Abigail, daugh- ter of Rev. Nathaniel Collins, of Middletown, and its issue was four sons and two daughters. Mrs. Wolcott survived her husband for many years, passing away Feb. 6, 1758, and now sleeps by his side. Their children, in the order of their birth, were: Abigail, born June 3. 1707: Oliver, born Oct. 2. 1709. died in 1734: Samuel, born April 13, 1713: Mehitabel, born Aug. 12. 1715 : Elisha, born Sept. 26. 1717: and Josiah, born March 27, 1720. Abigail married Abraham Watershoure, of Say- brook, Conn .. and Mehitabel became the wife of Jonathan Russell, of Wethersfield.

Elisha Wolcott, the third son and fifth child of Samuel Wolcott (2), was born at Wethersfield. He was a farmer and land owner, a deacon in the church, and a prominent and respected citizen. He died in the town of his birth, Oct. 13. 1793, and was interred in the old family burying-ground at Wethersfield. He married Sarah, a daughter of Gershom Nott, of that town, who died March 12, 1801, and rests near her husband. Their chil- dren were as follows: Gershom, born April II, 1748, married Rhoda Robbins, Oct. 10, 1774: Sa- rah, born Aug. 7. 1751, became Mrs. Levi Rob- bins : Elisha (2) was born Oct. 2. 1755 : Mehitabel, born June 12. 1759, was married to Frederick Rob- bins on April 12, 1781 ; and Hannah, born Sept. 22, 1762, died March 13. 1781.

Elisha Wolcott (2), grandfather of Charles and Robert Robbins Wolcott, was born in the old family homestead, and received such advantages in the way of a common-school education at Wethersfield then afforded. At the outbreak of the Revolution he was in the first flush of his early manhood, and, like a true patriot, he offered his services to the cause of American independence. He became a soldier, participated in the conflict at New York, and showed himself both brave and strong. After serving gallantly for some time. General Washing- ton sent him home to make hats for the half-rag- ged volunteers. With the exception of the months passed in military duty, he spent his entire life in Wethersfield, where he was well known and highly respected for his many virtues, and where he was a large land owner. He was a Federalist in poli- tics, and a sincere and consistent Christian, and an active member of the Congregational Church. He

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died Jan. 17, 1827, and rests in the same burying- ground with his ancestors. On Jan. 19, 1775, he married Mary, a daughter of Joseph Wells, who was born in 1756, died at Wethersfield, Oct. 6, 1828, and was buried in the same place of sepul- ture. She bore her husband seven sons and four daughters, whose names and dates of birth were as follows : Samuel, born in 1775, married Hannah Butler ; Horatio Gates, born Feb. 1, 1777, died in childhood; Mary, born in 1779, married Thomas Griswold, of Wethersfield; Mehitabel, born in 1782, was twice married, her second husband being A. Robbins : Hannah, born April 13, 1785, became the wife of Deacon William Willard; Elisha was born March 28, 1787 ; Daniel, July 27, 1790: Sarah Nott, born April 2, 1793, died unmarried; Chaun- cey Appleton was born July 12, 1795 ; Horatio (2), July 7. 1798: and Franklin, Sept. 12, 1800.

Elisha Wolcott, the third of that name in lineal descent, and the father of Charles and Robert Robbins Wolcott, was, like his father and grand- father, born at the Wolcott homestead, in Wethers- field. His early training was received in the schools of the town. but he received a broader ed- ucation in the active career which he led from his youth until near the end of his life. He was an ex- tensive land owner, was the pioneer seed and onion grower of the district, and also cultivated teasels. He shipped large quantities of produce to the markets of New York and the West Indies on coasting vessels, and always supervised the loading of his own cargoes, making many trips to New York. Philadelphia, and Baltimore. He was uni- versally held in high esteem for his tireless energy, rare business ability and strict integrity. He never desired, and far less sought, office, but once con- sented to serve as deputy sheriff, the onerous and responsible duties of which position he discharged for several years with the same sound judgment and unwavering fidelity which he brought to the conduet of his own affairs. He was temperate in his habits, and domestic in his tastes. His relig- ious views were liberal, but in his relations with his fellow men he never failed to regulate his con- duct according to the "Golden Rule." In politics he was a stanch Whig prior to the formation of the Republican party, and he lived to cast a vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1860. Although not as- piring to leadership he was an active worker in the ranks of his party. He died on his farm March 28. 1862, and was buried in the Wolcott lot at Weth- ersfield.

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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 176

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