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 22

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 22

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On Feb. 28, 1881, George B. Thayer was mar- ried, at Danielsville, Conn., to Miss Kate W. Til- linghast, and one child, Charles Tillinghast, born May 14, 1882, has come to this union.

COL. WILLIAM B. McCRAY, whose death occurred in Hartford on Jan. 22, 1899, had been for years a prominent insurance man in Hartford, and had also been prominently connected with the National Guard. In his business, social and mili- tary associations he was exceedingly well liked by liis associates.

Col. McCray was born in Ellington, Conn., Dec. 16, 1852, a son of Henry and Roxanna ( Kimball) McCray, who were born at Ellington. Col. McCray spent most of his life in business in Hartford, where he made a reputation for high character and hon- esty. He was a member of the insurance firm of Kimball & McCray, formerly C. C. Kimball & Co. His connection with the National Guard began Feb. 1, 1872, when he was appointed commissary-ser- geant on the non-commissioned staff of the First Regiment. On March 27, same year, he was ap- pointed, by Col. Hamilton, adjutant of the regiment, with the rank of first lieutenant, which position he resigned Feb. 17, 1874. On Aug. 23, 1878, he was appointed, by Col. Barbour, paymaster of the regi- ment, with the rank of first lieutenant, in which position he remained until 1884, when he resigned. Upon his own application he was placed on the re- tired list of the Connecticut National Guard, Oct. 29, 1895. On Dec. 8, 1897, he was made colonel and aide-de-camp on the staff of Gov. Cooke. Col. McCray had a happy and genial temperament, was fond of the society of his friends, and attracted

them to him in large numbers. His death was sin- cerely regretted by all who knew him.

"After days and nights of weary, patient wait- ing, without murmur or complaint, conscious that the summons to depart could not long be delayed, the soul of William B. McCray has taken its flight. Just before the church bells began ringing on a beautiful Sunday morning, when the noisy wheels of industry were still, and the hustling, busy world was resting-could there be a more fitting time to die? Those who were acquainted with Col. McCray will miss his genial companionship and rare humor. It is not our purpose to attempt to eulogize him. To those who knew him it would be unnecessary. To all, it may be said, he made the rough places in life easier to travel over for those who had the good for- tune to be in his companionship. He was a bene- factor of humanity, in that he carried sunshine with him and dispelled shadow by his genial disposition. Many a social gathering, especially among his mili- tary friends, has enjoyed his witty sayings and quick repartee. He was a host as an entertainer, and had the rare ability of being able to laugh heartily him- self. He enjoyed the society of his friends, but nothing was so dear to him as his life companion and his home. He was a devoted husband, and his bereaved widow will have the heartfelt sympathy of a very large circle of friends .- A. L. G." He left considerable estate, among his bequests being one to the Hartford Hospital, for the benefit of friendless women.

On March 3, 1874, at Rockville, Conn., Col. McCray was married to Miss Florine Thayer, daugh- ter of the late Col. John W. Thaver, and she sur- vived him but seven weeks. There are no children. Mrs. McCray was author of "The Life-Work of the Author of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin,'" "Wheels and Whims," and "Environment.'

JOHN E. HIGGINS (deceased), for many years the capable and popular city and town clerk, also registrar of vital statistics, Hartford, was a native of Connecticut, born June 19, 1844, in New London, where he received a substantial public- school education.

Edward Higgins, his father, born in Ireland, was a quarryman by occupation, and came to Port- land, Conn., where he worked for several years in the quarry there, and passed the rest of his days, dying at the age of seventy-one years. He mar- ried Mary McDoland, also a native of Ireland, and by her had six children, three of whom are living : Elizabeth, widow of Patrick Lawler, of Middle- town; Mary, widow of James Murphy, of Middle- town ; and Margaret. The mother was called from earth at the age of sixty-six, and lier parents both died at advanced years, the father at the age of seventy-nine, the mother when seventy-three.

John E. Higgins was a small boy when the family moved from New London to Portland, Conn., and he there received his education at the

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

public schools, the present State Secretary Clark being his teacher. At the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Higgins was a teacher in the Portland public schools, having received his appointment through Mr. Clark, but this position he resigned to enlist, in 1862, as musician, in the 3rd United States Artillery, serving under Maj .- Gen. John A. Dicks and Gen. Burbank. At the expiration of three years, in August, 1865, he received an hon- orable discharge and returned to Portland. In the following month he came to Hartford, and en- tered Colt's Armory as an employe, remaining un- til 1874, in which year he was elected to the office of city clerk and registrar of vital statistics for Hartford, which incumbency he filled continuously ( with exception of the year 1880) until 1895, when a severe attack of rheumatism compelled him to confine himself to his room, which he never after left, for the three years preceding his death being a helpless invalid, unable to take a single step; although a terrible sufferer, he retained his sunny disposition to the end, which came Dec. 10, 1900. His career as city and town clerk and registrar was one of marked success, giving emi- nent satisfaction to all concerned. In fact, while a pronounced Democrat, his career as a public offi- cial was so characterized by devotion to the inter- ests of the community at large, without regard to party lines, that he received the enthusiastic sup- port of all, without regard to politics.

Socially Mr. Higgins was a prominent member of Robert O. Tyler Post, G. A. R., and took an active part in the noted veteran assemblages and demonstrations that have taken place in Hartford since the war of the Rebellion. He was also a member of Green Cross Council, Knights of Co- lumbus, and of the Hartford Lodge of Elks. For several years he was affiliated with the Sons of St. Patrick. As a musician he was a member of Colt's Band, in which he played the euphonium and slide trombone ; was president of the band several years, and at the time of his death was the oldest living member, having joined in 1868 and played until 1890. During this time, among the scores of pa- rades in which this band took part, that of the National Convention of Hand Engine Companies, held in Philadelphia, was the largest. Colt's Band in this parade waited for seven hours in their place before they had an opportunity to fall in line, al- lowing 210 bands to pass. Of the members of the band present on that occasion, only two are now living. For twenty-five years Mr. Higgins was a member and attendant of St. Peter's Catholic Church, at the time of his decease being connected with the Cathedral Parish.

On Aug. 16, 1873, Mr. Higgins was married to Adella E. Collins, of Springfield, daughter of James D. and Julia Collins, the former of whom was employed during the Civil war as a barrel rifler, having had a contract with the Sharp's Gun Co., at Hartford, later with the Colt Co. He af-

terward went to England, and after eighteen months employment there with the firm of F. Firth & Sons returned to Hartford; he is now a resident of Springfield, Mass. Mrs. Higgins, who is his only child, is an excellent musician, and a fine performer on the pianoforte.

JOHN FAIRMAN (deceased) was for more than a half century a prominent and influential busi- ness man of Hartford. He belonged to that old school of merchants which was grounded in the principles of rectitude, fair dealing and intimate re- lationship with local public, political and social af- fairs. He was most highly esteemed, and died at a ripe age, leaving as a heritage an unblemished repu- tation, and the imperishable impress of a strong and well-beloved character.

Mr. Fairman was of the sixth generation of an early New England family, founded in 1674 by John Fairman, son of Ebenezer Fairman, who mi- grated from Birmingham, England, and settled in Killingly, Conn. John Fairman (I) had one son, John Fairman (II), who, in 1715, married Hannah Spalding. Jonathan Fairman (III), son of John and Hannah ( Spalding) Fairman, was born March 13, 1721, and married Nov. 5, 1743, Mary Nancy Ware. Jonathan Fairman (IV), son of Jonathan and Mary Nancy ( Ware) Fairman, was born July 10, 1744. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Jona- than Cady, and became a resident of Stafford Springs, Conn. He had three sons, Jonathan C., Chester and Simon. Jonathan C. Fairman (V), son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Cady) Fairman, was born in 1783, and died in 1816. He married Elizabeth Turner, and to them were born five chil- dren, Joseph, Eliza, Mary, Clarissa, and John (our subject ).

John Fairman, our subject, was born Aug. 10. 1814, in Hartford, Conn. Orphaned by the death of his father two years later, he was placed in care of an uncle at Haverhill, N. H., with whom he remained during his early boyhood. He then went to Brook- lyn, N. Y., and learned the shoemaker's trade with his brother Joseph. At the age of twenty-one he re- turned to Hartford, and there began a career which was terminated only by his recent death. He began as a clerk for Isaac Hill, and was later a salesman for C. S. Ensign. In partnership with George Hol- brook he purchased the Ensign store, and established the boot and shoe house of Fairman & Holbrook, which later became Fairman & Miller. It was located on the site of the present Sage-Allen build- ing. Thence the business was removed to the block north of the First Baptist church. Fairman & Miller were succeeded by Fairman & Henry, and after the retirement of Mr. Henry Mr. Fairman assumed entire control, continuing uninterruptedly until his retirement from business in 1893, at the age of nearly eighty years. He died April 19, 1899.

Mr. Fairman was a director of the Dime Sav- ings Bank, and for many years was a trustee of the

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

First Methodist Church. He was an old member of the First Company, Governor's Foot Guards, serving under Major John C. Parsons. He was a Republican in politics, and about 1883 represented the old Seventh ward in the council board. As a business man and neighbor lie was one of the most honorable and kindly of men, living an upright Christian life. He married for his first wife Char- lotte Parsons, daughter of Chester and Phebe Par- sons. She died April 22, 1882. For his second wife he married, Oct. 7, 1885, Emma Fuller Bissell.

Henry M. Fairman, son of John and Charlotte (Parsons) Fairman, was married June 16, 1869, to Charlotte Woodward.

EBEN H. STOCKER, secretary of the Billings & Spencer Co., Hartford, and well known among the business men of that city, was born April 23, 1846, in Hartland, Vt., where the family was prom- inent, his father and grandfather having been among the most useful residents of that town in their day.

The first of the family to come to America was a non-conformist clergyman of Scotland, who lo- cated originally in Massachusetts, his descendants removing thence to Vermont. Eben Stocker, grand- father of our subject, was born in Hopkinton, Mass., where he passed his early life, and was a farmer by occupation. Removing from his native place to Hartland, Windsor Co., Vt., he there passed the remainder of his days, attaining the advanced age of eighty-five years. He took a prominent part in the public affairs of his adopted town, was a stanch Democrat in political opinion, and was a deacon in the Congregational Church. By his first wife, Abagail Kimball, like himself a native of Hopkinton, Eben Stocker had nine children, all now deceased. She died at the age of forty years.

Eben M. Stocker, son of Eben and Abagail (Kim- ball) Stocker, was born in Windsor, Vt., and was a child when the family removed to Hartland, where he was reared. His education was acquired in the common schools. He engaged in mercantile pur- suits, conducting the largest store in the town, and also took a prominent part in public affairs, serving thirty years as town clerk, and representing his town in the State Legislature for several terms. His long-continued service is sufficient evidence of his efficiency and trustworthiness, and he was re- spected by those who knew him in every relation of life. Mr. Stocker spent four years in California. He married Lucia D. Lull, who was born in Hart- land, daughter of Timothy and Susanna (Delano) Lull, and three children were born to them, of whom our subject is now the only survivor. Mr. Stocker died at the age of seventy-eight, Mrs. Stocker at the age of sixty. She was a member of the Uni- versalist Church. Her father, Timothy Lull, was the first settler in Hartland, going up the river from Charlestown in a canoe. His family consisted of six children, only one of whom is now living, Almond, a resident of California.

Eben II. Stocker spent his early years in Hart- land and Windsor, and received his education in the public schools. He has been a resident of Hart- ford since 1872, when he came to take the position of bookkeeper with the concern with which he has ever since been connected. In 1876 he was made secretary, in which incumbency he is still retained, and he is also a director in that large concern. Mr. Stocker is also connected with the C. Billings Mfg. Co., of which he is secretary and a director. Though a public-spirited citizen, business absorbs too much of his time to allow him to interest himself as act- ively in politics as his immediate ancestors have done. He is independent in sentiment.

In 1870 Mr. Stocker married Miss Jennie Hey- wood, who was born in Windsor, Vt., daughter of Willard and Emily Heywood, who had a family of nine children, five now living: Mrs. A. G. Couch, of Amherst, Mass. : Mrs. Lucia Spaulding, of Lancaster, Mass .; Eleazer, who is in the West; Mrs. Eda Jones ; and Henry, of Windsor, Vt. Mr. Heywood, who was a well and favorably known man in his town, died at the age of eighty-two, his wife at the age of sixty-eight. Mrs. Jennie Stocker died in 1881, at the early age of twenty-eight, leav- ing one son, Frank H., who is now engaged in the practice of medicine. He received his preparatory education in the public schools, his professional training in the New York Homeopathic Medical College, New York City. from which he graduated, the youngest in the class, taking the second three- years prize. For his second wife our subject mar- ried Lucy M. Birge, a native of East Hartford, daughter of Edward and Esther Birge, farming people ; her father is deceased.

GEORGE ROBERTS (deceased). In the death of this gentleman, on March 25, 1878, at his residence in Lafayette street, Hartford, there de- parted from life a prominent business man, trusted and honored by the community with which he had so long been identified.

William Roberts, son of Catherine Leete and a Mr. "Robards." came to East Hartford from Middletown, Conn., lived near the foot of Smith's Lane, on the Meadow Hill, south of the present "Bridge Road"-the main street at that time fol- lowing this "Meadow Bank." He married Dorothy Forbes, who was a daughter of Capt. James Forbes, the progenitor of the Forbes family in East Hart- ford, and from him she received six acres of land on which William Roberts built his dwelling. The children born to William and Dorothy were: Dor- othy was baptized in the South Church at Hart- ford, in 1687: Deborah was baptized in the First Church in April, 1690 :William,baptized in the sanie church in 1695, married Deborah Spencer, and died in 1726, leaving a son. William ; Benjamin, baptized March 8, 1698, died Feb. 14. 1774: Joseph, baptized Aug. II, 1700; Mary, baptized May 31, 1702: and Samuel, baptized Dec. 24.1704, married Sarah Hills,

Geo Roberts

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

daughter of Ebenezer Hills, Sr. William Roberts, the father, died probably in 1735.

Benjamin Roberts, of the second generation in East Hartford, married Sept. 26, 1730, Dorothy Pit- kin, who was born in 1705, a daughter of Nathaniel and Hester ( Hosmer) Pitkin. Nathaniel was a son of William Pitkin, the founder of the family in East Hartford. Mrs. Dorothy ( Pitkin) Roberts died Oct. 5, 1737, and July 13, 1739, Mr. Roberts mar- ried Jerusha Pratt, who was a descendant of John Pratt, who came to Hartford with the Hooker party in 1635. The children of the first marriage were: Dorothy, who was born Jan. 23, 1734, was married to Lemuel Kingsbury, of Andover; Susannah, born in 1736, died in 1804, unmarried. To the second marriage, with Jerusha Pratt, were born: Jerusha and Catherine (twins), April 24, 1740, the former of whom was married to Jonathan Stanley ( who was for eighteen years town clerk and town treasurer), the latter to Jonathan Hubbard, ancestor of Gov. Hubbard; Benjamin, born Nov. 15. 1741, was a farmer in the south part of East Hartford, and married Dorothy Goodwin; Sarah, born April 13, 1743, was married to Joseph Hurlburt; Mary, born Jan. 18, 1745, married Timothy Forbes; William, born Jan. 19, 1746, married Abigail Stanley; Na- thaniel, born Dec. 24, 1750, married Annie New- comb ; George was born Nov. 22, 1752 ; Abigail, born in 1756, was married to John Norton, and died Nov. 12, 1775; and Lemuel, born in 1760, died in 1775.

Benjamin Roberts was a merchant trader, and the owner of several vessels, among them the "Sam- uel," the "Martha" and the "Porrige," which traded with the West Indies and at New London, bring- ing home cargoes of merchandise, which were stored in his house and cellar, strongly built for the pur- pose. He was a large land owner.

George Roberts, of the third generation, was born Nov. 22, 1752, at East Hartford, and was a successful farmer and business man. He served in Capt. Jonathan Wells' company, Col. Erastus Wol- cott's regiment, during the Revolutionary war, and was at Boston from December, 1775, until February, 1776. He also served in several town offices, was elected selectman in 1820 and served two years. Hc married Jerusha Williams, who was born May 20, 1757, a daughter of Timothy and Ruth ( Pitkin) Williams, the latter being a daughter of Ozias, who was a son of the first William Pitkin, the founder of the family. The children born to George and Jerusha Roberts were: Jerusha, who was born in 1782, died July 7, 1798; Clarissa, born May 4, 1783, married Dr. Edward Pitkin, and (lied Jan. 28, 1864; Ozias was born Aug. 10, 1785; George, born May 28, 1789, died in Hartford, Nov. 10, 1808; Alven, born Aug. 16, 1791, died aged twenty-seven on April 9, 1818; Esther, born July 4, 1793. married James Bidwell, and died in Manchester, Jan. 9, 1822; Lucretia, born Nov. 10, 1795, was married to Dr. W. Coolev, and died in East Hartford March 31, 1821; and Martin, born Oct. 14, 1799, a well-known and promising young

man, died April 17, 1821, in New York City, whither he had gone to purchase goods for the purpose of starting in business at Hartford. Mrs. Jerusha (Williams) Roberts died Nov. 22, 1817. George Roberts married, for his second wife, Mrs. Lucretia (Beaumont) Abbey, widow of Jeduthan Abbey, but to this second marriage no children were born. Mr. Roberts died Oct. 4, 1824.

Hon. Capt Ozias Roberts, of the fourth genera- tion, and the only son of George and Jerusha Rob- erts to reach full manhood, was born Aug. 10, 1785, in the house where he died. He received the usual education furnished by the schools of that time and was endowed with a naturally strong intel- lect. He was possessed of a daring spirit, and was fond of adventure, and when a young man went to sea, trade being then carried on between the West Indies and Hartford direct. During the war of 1812 he shipped with Capt. Josiah Griswold, of Wethersfield, on board the privateer "Blockade." The vessel was fitted out on the Connecticut river, was owned by Thomas Belden and others, and car- ried six guns. After cruising for some time with but little success the "Blockade" was captured by a British brig-of-war, was run into the Bermudas, and the crew confined on a prison-ship. Ozias Roberts, however, and Dr. William Cooley, of Man- chester (surgeon of the "Blockade"), managed to escape to the shore, and were secreted by a negro until they could find an opportunity to return in safety to their respective homes. For some time thereafter Ozias continued to follow the sea, event- ually became the captain of a vessel plying in the West Indies trade, but at the death of his father re- turned to Connecticut and managed the estate until his death, Feb. 8, 1868, his remains being interred in the Center cemetery.

Ozias Roberts was three times married. His first wife, Martha Treat (daughter of Joseph Treat, of East Hartford, and Martha Adams, of Wethers- field), died Jan. 3, 1809, at the age of twenty-one years, the mother of two children : Mary Ann, who was married to Deacon Horace Williams March 10, 1831, and died April 3, 1848, at the age of forty- one years ; and Martha, who was born Dec. 23, 1808, in East Hartford. The second wife of Ozias Rob- erts was Harriet Treat, a sister of Martha Treat, his first wife. Mrs. Harriet (Treat) Roberts died July 19, 1822, aged thirty-two years, the mother of the following children : George is our subject : Jane Treat, born Dec. 10, 1811, married Edward Good- win, and was the mother of J. O. Goodwin, of East Hartford; Harriet, born Oct. 1I, 1814, married Aaron Olmstead in 1835, at East Hartford, and died Nov. 19, 1875, leaving the following named chil- dren-llorace B., Arthur G., A. Fred, and Charles H .: Ira T. was born Feb. 10, 1817; and Jerusha, born Marchi 15, 1819, was married to Alfred Kil- bourne.

The third wife of Ozias Roberts was Nancy Comstock, whom he married March 26, 1823. Nancy (Comstock) Roberts was born July 4, 1802,

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in East Hartford, and was a daughter of Perez and Abigail ( Raymond) Comstock, of the Comstock and Raymond families of Montville, Conn. The chil- dren of this marriage were: Esther Bidwell, born May 25, 1824, married Albert Comstock Raymond, a native of Montville, Conn., who built the Raymond Library at East Hartford, in which town she died in September, 1883; Luther Martin, born Nov. 18, 1826, was by nature a seaman, died March 21, 1847, on board a ship of which he was second mate, and was buried in Vera Cruz, Mexico; Juliette, born July 23. 1829, was married to John B. Smith, of East Hartford, now of Berlin, Conn., and died Oct. 1, 1857, in East Hartford; Arthur, born Jan. 14, 1831, died Jan. 23, 1833; Emma and Ellen, born Oct. 15, 1835, died respectively April 2, 1856, and April 26, 1860, unmarried; Elizabeth Bradford, born March 21, 1838, is now Mrs. Henry A. Street, of New Haven; Arthur Ozias, born Feb. 22, 1840, was a master's mate during the Civil war (he is unmar- ried ) : Frances L., born Aug. 23, 1846, takes great interest in genealogy, and to her the publishers of this work are indebted for many facts relating to the Roberts family ; she is the present registrar of Martha Pitkin Wolcott Chapter, D. A. R., at East Hartford. Nancy Comstock Roberts died Jan. 17, 1859.

Ozias Roberts, the father of these families of children, left to them a name honored for integrity and uprightness in business affairs. In politics he was a Democrat previous to the formation of the Republican party, and long before the formation of the Republican party was an uncompromising Abo- litionist, and employed runaway slave labor. He served as State senator, and, for four terms after 1828. as a member of the House of Representatives. In 1838 he was elected town treasurer, and served two terms, and was for many years custodian of school funds. His rare good judgment was highly prized by his neighbors, who frequently consulted him on business matters, and he settled many es- tates, to the great saving of money to those most interested. Although not a church member, he real- ized the value of churches, and liberally aided in their support, was a member of the Ecclesiastical Society and often one of the committee, and reared liis children to respect the Sabbath rigidly. Fra- ternally he was a Royal Arch Mason.

It was not until he had quit the sea that Mr. Roberts gave his attention to agriculture, in which lie met with a decided success. At one time he owned and conducted the ferry at East Hartford. Two years prior to his death he had a fall, in his dooryard, from the effects of which he never fully recovered, being thereafter confined to his room, but he managed liis affairs until the end. He was a man of strong convictions, and for forty years was a leader among men in East Hartford. He was a strict disciplinarian, and although his children were numerous he reared them to positions of usefulness, and it may be added that Hon. Richard D. Hub- bard, ex-governor of Connecticut, and one of her

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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 22

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