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 178

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 178

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).

Mr. Markley was married, Sept. 9, 1885, in New York City, to Williamanna E. Dunne, and they have three children : Eileen A. C., Beatrice M. and Rosalie.

HON. CHARLES A. ENSIGN (deceased ) was a descendant of one of the oldest families of East Hartford, and was born in Willow Brook ( or Hock- anum), Dec. 4, 1821, in a house that stood on the site of the present residence of Owen Ensign. But before entering upon an account of the details of his individual career, let the family line be traced from its origin in America up to his birth.

James Ensign, the founder of the family in this country, was born in England, died in Connecticut in 1670, and here also his wife, Sarah, passed away in 1676. David, their son, was born in 1645, first married Mehitable Gunn, and afterward wedded

779

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Sarah Wilcox, and died in 1717. Thomas, son of David, married Hannah Shepherd. Moses (I), son of Thomas, was born in 1732 or 1734, and married Ann Williams. Moses (2) was born Dec. 4, 1759, and died Nov. 30, 1821 ; he married Jeanette Forbes, who was born Oct. 11, 1767, and died June 18, 1813. Moses (3), father of our subject, and of the sixth generation, was born Sept. 6, 1791, and died Dec. 7, 1829; he married Martha ("Patty") Risley, who was born June 4, 1790, and died June 6, 1864.

Charles A. Ensign, son of Moses (3) and Patty Ensign, was the eldest of a family of four children- three sons and one daughter-who became scattered. As he was but eight years of age when he lost his father, his boyhood days were passed with three maiden ladies in Hartford, in which city he also received a limited education. But he was naturally bright and quick to learn, and improved every ad- vantage offered him in this respect. He early learned shoemaking, and for a while followed the trade in Willow Brook, and later, in Hartford, for Goodwin Bros. manufactured boots for two or three years. He next went to New Haven, and for five or six years was superintendent of the Rumford shops ; was next employed at Naugatuck as super- intendent of the Naugatuck Rubber Works, at $1,000 per annum-at that time considered to be a large salary. With this concern he remained about thirty years, his salary being advanced by degrees until it reached $5,000 per annum. While a resi- dent of Naugatuck Mr. Ensign was elected in 1880 to represent his district in the State Legislature, as a Democrat, and was very prominent in many other respects.

After leaving Naugatuck Mr. Ensign went to Boston, Mass., where he was engaged as superin- tendent of the Converse Rubber Works, gave the factory a thorough overhauling, and held the posi- tion until failing health compelled him, as a mat- ter of prudence, to resign. Of his career in the rub- ber business, however, further mention will be made as described by a trade journal. From Boston Mr. Ensign returned to Hockanum, the home of his childhood, expecting to rest and live on the com- petence he had so commendably won ; but in a short time he was called to New Haven by the Canfield Rubber Co., with which he remained four years, when he again returned to Hockanum, and here ended his noble life Aug. 17, 1896. For some little time before his death he was bed-ridden, but passed away painlessly and resignedly, and in the full pos- session of his mental faculties.

Mr. Ensign first married, in November, 1844, Miss Cornelia Stevens, who bore him one son, Charles A. His second marriage took place June 9, 1859, to Miss Maria W. Smith, a native of Hocka- num, born Feb. 28, 1834, a daughter of Simeon and Laura ( Wadsworth) Smith, both of old and greatly respected families of East Hartford, but both of whom have long been deceased. Mrs. Ensign is the third in a family of seven children : Anson, married, is living in Logan, Iowa ; Delia S. was mar-

ried to Leonard T. Pitkin, but with her husband is now deceased; Maria W. '(Mrs. Ensign) ; Henry T., who married Josephine Goodwin, is deceased, and was buried in Hockanum; Charles died single ; Francis, who married Edith Antrim, is living in Hockanum; and Ella is the deceased wife of Will- iam H. Olmsted, whose biography appears else- where.

At the risk of slight repetitions, but eliminating many facts with which the reader has already been made acquainted, the following extract from the "Rubber World" of Oct. 10, 1896, is here intro- duced as pertinent and comprehensive in its bearing on Mr. Ensign's connection with the india-rubber shoe trade :

* * * His first venture in business was as a custom leather boot and shoemaker in Hartford, and he soon had the reputation of making the best goods of any one in the city. His attention being called to rubber-footwear, he con- nected himself with the Wales Goodyear Rubber Co .. of Nau- gatuck, Conn., with whom he remained for thirty years. He resigned his position in 1880, and accepted a position under a five years' contract with the Boston Rubber Shoe Co., his office being that of general expert. After two years of arduous work. his health failing, he was forced to resign this position and take a long rest. He began this vacation (the first of his life) by taking a Raymond excursion to Cali- fornia. Returning much improved in health, he associated . himself with the American Rubber Co., doing expert work, and a little later with the Candee Rubber Co., with whom he remained three years. Leaving this position he became a free lance in the rubber trade, and was consulted by promi- nent shoe factories almost constantly, having been an expert, not only for the companies named, but for the National, the L. D. Smith and others. Among other things he installed a rubber varnish plant for a large varnish maker in New York, and was the means of their building up a fine business in that line.

About the time that his health failed he bought a fine place at Hockanum, Conn., and spent much of his time there as a gentleman. He also designed a sloop yacht, which he had built under his own supervision at Bay Ridge, Long Island, and spent most of his time for two summers cruising in waters about New York.

Mr. Ensign, during his long connection with the rubber footwear business, was the inventor of many machines and processes that are still in use. The piping machine, which automatically cuts the toe strips for the shoes in any length and width, laying them in sheets ready for booking, was one of his most notable inventions. He also produced a cording machine for "Arctics," which lays a fine cord on a strip of piping, folds it over and reels it ready for use. Further than this, he was the inventor of the " Arctic " and it was interesting to note that, in appreciation of this, Mr. T. C. Wales made him a present of $6,000. * * * During his long experience in the rubber trade he kept careful records of all matters of importance in the way of com- pounds, suggestions and possible inventions, and willed the whole of this valuable material to W. B. Kinsley, the super- intendent of the Malden Last Company, who for years has been a protege of his.

Many of Mr. Ensign's patents were yielding him royalties at the time of his decease, and he was be- yond doubt the true genius that made rubber foot- wear the almost faultless article that it is at this day. Mr. Ensign was endowed with superior intel- lectual powers, and was more than ordinarily well- read. He was generous, kind and affectionate, and his lamented death was keenly regretted, not only by his widow and son, but by the members of the different communities in which he had lived. He

780

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

was a member of no secret society, and his progress through life was made through no extraneous aid. In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat, but had no especial desire for public office.

Mrs. Ensign, a very pleasant and genial lady, is now living in Hockanum, in the house in which she was born, but which has been modernized and con- verted into a beautiful home, suited for the occu- pancy of one holding the enviable position in society which she enjoys.

PROF. DANIEL HOWARD, M. A. The true educator wields a power second to none, and in the faithful labor of principal of the public-school sys- tem of Windsor Locks, of whom we give a brief biography, the people of that section can see an in- fluence for good which will extend through all fu- ture time. Realizing the value of an education as only those can who have made their own way through school, Prof. Howard adds an element of earnestness to his work which is too rarely found, and every department responds to the subtle inspira- tion.

Prof. Howard comes of an excellent family. The founder of the family in New England, Isaac Howard, came from England to Rhode Island about 1730. He settled in western Rhode Island, where many of his descendants have resided ever since, and the Howard family has been prominent in public affairs, both locally and in the State. Two of Isaac Howard's sons were in the French and In- dian war, and one of them was with Wolfe at Que- bec. Another son, Daniel, the great-great-grand- father of our subject, served in the Revolutionary war, was town clerk of Foster. R. I., for twenty- five years, represented his town in the Legislature, and was for several years judge of the Rhode Island court of common pleas. His son, Daniel, was town clerk of Foster twenty-five years, represented his town for six years in the Legislature, and served nine years on the bench of the court of common pleas. His son, Horace, the grandfather of our sub- ject, married Hannah Randall, also of Foster. He died in early manhood, but had already become prominent in educational and public affairs, and, as a delegate to the constitutional convention took an active and prominent part in the formation of the State constitution of 1843. He was a merchant. Pardon T. Howard, the Professor's father, was farmerly engaged in agriculture, and was also a land surveyor at Foster, R. I., but he and his wife, whose maiden name was Ann L. Stone, now reside in Providence, Rhode Island.

Our subject was born Dec. 15, 1861, at Foster, R. I., where his education was begun, and so well did he improve his opportunities that he was em- ployed. to teach in his home district at the age of seventeen years. For six years he taught success- fully there and in neighboring towns, but being by no means satisfied with his attainments, he in 1884 began preparing for college by studying evenings, and at intervals suspending teaching for a term

to attend a preparatory school. In the spring of 1888 he was elected clerk of his native town for the term of one year, at the end of which he graduated from the academy as East Greenwich, R. I., and entered Brown University, where he completed the classical course, ranking high in scholarship, win- ning a membership in the Phi Beta Kappa Society, and graduating in 1893. He has since done post- graduate work in the same institution, gaining the degree of M. A. In 1893 he took charge of the high school at Wallingford, Conn., remaining one year, and since 1894 he has filled his present position as principal of the public school at Windsor Locks, where, with an efficient corps of five assistants, he has an average of 225 pupils under his care.

In 1887, at Foster, R. I., Prof. Howard married Miss Sarah W. Randall, an accomplished lady, whose father, Hon. Job Randall, is a well-known citizen of Foster. They are popular in social life. Mr. and Mrs. Howard early in life became active members of the Christian Church at Foster Center, R. I., where they still retain their membership, while taking an active interest in the work of the Congregational Church at Windsor Locks.

During the struggle for Constitutional Prohibi- tion in Rhode Island, from 1886 to 1889, Prof. How- ard was an earnest advocate of the Prohibition cause, and in 1889 he was the candidate of the Prohibition party for Secretary of State.

HON. JAMES HENRY ANDREWS, a promi- nent representative of the agricultural interests of Farmington, is engaged in farming on the old home- stead, which has been in the possession of the family for over two centuries. The first to locate here was John Andrews, who, in 1672, was one of the eighty- four proprietors of the town of Farmington. He was a plain, unassuming farmer, of good common sense, and was highly respected in his community. He united with the Congregational Church of Farm- ington, May 9, 1658. To him and his wife Mary were born nine children : Mary, John, Hannah, Abraham, Daniel, Joseph, Rachel, Stephen and Ben- jamin.

(II) Benjamin Andrews, the second in direct descent to our subject, was married May 26, 1682, to Mary Smith, and on Jan. 3, 1686, they united with the church. She died in January, 1707, and on June 14, 1710, he married Miss Dorcas Wetmore, who died Dec. 4, 1716. For his third wife he mar- ried Sarah His children were: Benjamin, John, Mary, Stephen, Daniel, Samuel, Johannah and James.

(III) James Andrews, born Aug. 1, 1700, was married Dec. 9, 1730, to Elizabeth Gillet, of Suf- field. Conn .. and died July 18, 1761. He had two children : Elijah, born Dec. 6, 1731 ; and Benja- min, born June 5. 1734.

(IV) Elijah Andrews, a goldsmith, was born Dec. 6, 1731, and was married Aug. 4, 1761. to Sarah Thompson, a daughter of Timothy Thomp- son. She was born in Avon June 14, 1741, and died

8001

DAVID O. MCKAY LIBRARY REXBURG, IDAHO 83440

RICKS COLLEGE DAVID O. MCKAY LIBRARY -A40 83440

F 10% .H3 C7 1901 pt.1 Commemorative biographical 4 record of Hartford County .. Connecticut : containing biogra J.H. Beers & Co

31404002667456.

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 178

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