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 27

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 27

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On Jan. 29, 1873, Mr. Holcombe was married to Miss Emily Seymour Goodwin, of Brooklyn, N. Y., who is prominent in Hartford social life, and whose fine work in various lines has given her prominence throughout New England. To this union have come children as follows: Harold Good- win, Emily Marguerite, and John Marshall, Jr.

Mrs. Holcombe, too, is a descendant of one of the earliest and most prominent families of New England. She is in the eighth generation from Ozias Goodwin, one of the first settlers of Hart- ford, Conn., her line being through Nathaniel, Deacon John, Deacon John (2), Joseph, Hezekiah

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and Edwin Olmstead Godwin. Of these, Nathaniel Goodwin married (first) Sarah Cowles and (sec- ond ) Elizabeth Pratt. Deacon John Goodwin's first wife was Sarah, his second being Mary Hosmer Olmstead, daughter of Stephen Hosmer. Deacon John Goodwin (2) married Dorothy Pitkin, daugli- ter of Caleb and Dorothy (Hill) Pitkin. Joseph Goodwin married Hannah Olmstead, daughter of Jonathan and Hannah Meakin Olmstead. Hezekiah Goodwin married Emily, daughter of Deacon Eliab and Dorcas (Williams) Pratt.

Edwin Olmstead Goodwin, father of Mrs. Emily S. Holcombe, was born Nov. 23, 1819, in East Hartford, and on Sept. 13, 1848, was married to Harriet Brown Pomeroy. He studied law, and was admitted to the Bar in Hartford. The science of life insurance early attracted his earnest atten- tion, and aroused his enthusiasm in this field of labor. He was one of the incorporators of the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Co. in 1846, and gave the name to that renowned corporation. He resided in Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1857 until his death, which occurred Nov. 25, 1882.

Mrs. Holcombe organized Ruth Wyllys Chap- ter, Daughters of the American Revolution, of Hartford, in 1892, and was its first regent, which office she still occupies. The chapter, by unanimous vote, removed the term limit from this office as long as Mrs. Holcombe would remain. In the chapter's patriotic movement to save the ancient and historic burying-ground of Hartford Mrs. Hol- combe has accomplished a great publie improve- ment : she it was who conceived a plan for the widen- ing of Gold street-to remove the row of disrepu- table tenement houses would not only convert a dirty and disgraceful alley into a fine street, but would secure to the historic cemetery cleanliness, light and a conspicuous position in the center of the city. A similar work, though much less ex- tens've, had been previously attempted, resulting, however, in complete failure. Mrs. Holcombe re- ceived the cordial support of the chapter, official boards, and the public, and contributions were gen- erously made. However, delays occurred, and ap- peals from property assessments were made to the courts. At this period of discouragement Mrs. Hol- combe alone seemed imbued with the spirit of hope, and her faith never' faltered. Many people felt it to be but the optimistic dream of an en- thusiastic leader, but Mrs. Holcombe has overcome all obstacles, and carried through this formidable undertaking with a sagacity, diplomacy and bril- liancy of execution which have won her the thanks of the citizens of Hartford and a position of promi- nence in the State. She was the central figure at the celebration of the event at the grounds, on June 17, 1899, on which occasion she-as regent of Ruth Wyllys Chapter and the originator of the plan by which the object was accomplished-delivered an eloquent address in presenting to the mayor of the city the deeds of certain parcels of land. She was

presented with a loving cup by Mrs. William H. Palmer, vice-regent, in behalf of the members of Ruth Wyllys Chapter. At a banquet given on the evening of that day, by the historic Putnam Phalanx, one of the speakers said: "If there is a society in Connecticut that deserves to be honored the Daugh- ters of the American Revolution is that society, and if there is a woman who should feel happy to-night Mrs. John M. Holcombe is that woman." Gen. Hawley suggested a toast to Mrs. Holcombe, and all present rose.

From a speech delivered by Thomas Weaver, of Hartford, in February, 1900, at Willimantic, before the members of Anne Wood Elderkin Chap- ter, of the Daughters of the American Revolution, referring to the work of the Ruth Wyllys Chapter, of Hartford, is extracted the following :

"You are aware of the main fact that Ruth Wyllys Chapter has succeeded in making the way clear, clean and wholesome, and opening to the light of publicity the ancient burying-ground at Hartford, where lie the bodies of Thomas Hooker and his band of sturdy supporters, who fixed upon the Nation the idea that government of the people shall be by the consent of the people; but few of you can know the largeness of that undertaking, the difficulties that were overcome at every for- ward step, and the untiring energy of the regent of that chapter, Mrs. John M. Holcombe, relent- lessly pursuing the object she had in view. If any man of my knowledge in Hartford had undertaken the task, there would have been nothing left of him but the foot-prints of those who had stepped upon him. This daughter of the American Revolu- tion had the dynamic force of good patriotic ances- tors in her veins, and official boards and public men and court committees and obdurate property owners all bowed to the persuasiveness of Mrs. Holcombe- one of the greatest improvements that Hartford has known for years was accomplished."

Mrs. Holcombe is one of the charter members of the Society of Colonial Dames, and at this time is historian of the society : was elected a member of the first board of managers, and re-elected as soon as eligible after expiration of the first term, consecutive terms being prohibited by the rules of the society. From a long list of Colonial ancestors Mrs. Hol- combe entered the society on ten named, among them being John Webster, governor of Connecticut; Roger Conant, first governor of Massachusetts; Attorney-General William Pitkin : Hon. Capt. Caleb Stanley; Capt. William Ely.

HON. GEORGE MERRIMAN, retired drug- gist of Bristol, and an ex-soldier of the Civil war, is native here, and was born June 3, 1844.

The Merriman family is one of the oldest and best known in Bristol. The first of the family in this country was Capt. Nathaniel Merriman, one of the founders of Wallingford, Conn. The first in Bristol, Dr. Titus Merriman, was born in Wall-

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ingford Aug. 27, 1768, and came here about 1792. He was one of the first members of the Hartford County Medical Society. The first deed of land recorded to him was in 1794. Soon afterward he built the house now owned and occupied by his grandson, Titus E. Merriman. His first wife, the mother of all his children, was Polly, daughter of Isaiah Thompson. Three of his sons arrived at the age of maturity: Henry E., George and Eli Todd, the latter choosing the medical profession, which he followed until his death; he moved to Texas in 1848.

George Merriman, son of Dr. Titus, inherited a large portion of his father's estate. He married Ann Peck. He was the founder of the drug busi. ness in Bristol, opening his store on the North side in 1825, and according to the custom of the times it was a general store, including dry goods, gro- ceries and drugs, the latter part of the business hay- ing been continued by the family from that time. Here for years was the post office. Later the gen- eral store was given up, and the drug store opened at the stand where it was so long and successfully conducted by the sons, George and Theodore, under the name of Merriman Brothers. Titus E. Merri -. man, eldest son of George, Sr., was born in Bristol, Sept. 19, 1833: George, the second son, is the sub- ject proper of this sketch ; Theodore D., the young- est son, will be mentioned more fully below.

Titus E. Merriman was educated principally int the district school in Bristol, and later attended Bristol Academy, taught by Prof. Barnes, after which he attended Prof. Baker's Academy, at Col- linsville, whence he was graduated in 1852, at the age of nineteen. He entered his father's drug store on the North side, Bristol, and a year later went to California, where he had several claims, and. ex- perienced many ups and downs until his return to Bristol in 1866. He fully intended to return to the West, but, with the exception of a flying visit thither, he has remained in Bristol ever since. On returning from California, in 1866, Mr. Merriman opened a grocery store on the North side, and later removed to the Seymour block, where now stand the abutments of the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad trestle over Main street. Here he was burned out during the 'seventies. He next opened a grocery in the Gridley block on North Main street, and sold this out to W. H. Scott & Co., of Terryville, who have since closed it. Mr. Merriman then retired for about two years, and in the spring of 1894 embarked in the harness and saddlery trade at No. 21, North Main street, carry- ing besides a full line of trunks, valises, traveling bags, etc. In 1869 he was married to Miss Amer S. Nettleton, who died the same year, without issue. On Oct. 4. 1871, Mr. Merriman married Miss Mar- garet A. Upson, daughter of Israel Upson, of Waterbury. No children have been born of this union. Mr. and Mrs. Merriman are members of the Congregational Church, in the ladies' societies of

which Mrs. Merriman takes an active part. In pol- itics Mr. Merriman takes but little interest, but has affiliated with the Republican party since its foundation, and while in California he voted for John C. Fremont, that party's first candidate for the Presidency.

Hon. George Merriman, the subject proper of these lines, was educated in the common schools of Bristol, and at the Pavilion school in Hartford. At the age of seventeen years he left school, and at eighteen, July 23, 1862, he enlisted in Company K. 16th Conn. V. 1., and was at the battle of An- tietam; later, when the "Fighting Sixteenth" was attached to the Department of North Carolina, the larger part of the regiment was captured, but Mr. Merriman luckily escaped. He was put on a de- tachment to guard Rebel prisoners near Sandusky, Ohio, and was finally discharged at Cincinnati, Aug. 29, 1865. On returning from the army Mr. Merri- man began his business life in the drug store of his father, and after the death of the latter retained an interest in the establishment, under the firm name of Merriman Brothers, until 1889, when he re- tired.

Mr. Merriman married Oct. 2, 1867, Miss Mary J. Barnes, who was born May 2, 1844, and is a daughter of Lucas and Clarinda (Tousey ) Barnes, of Bristol; no children have blessed this union. Mr. Merriman is a stanch Republican, but has never sought an office, although he has been elected to several town offices, for which he refused to qualify ; however, he consented to represent Bristol in the General Assembly in 1888 and 1889, and was a mem- ber of the Railroad committee, one of the most im- portant in the House. Fraternally he is a member of Franklin Lodge, No. 56, F. & A. M., of Bristol; of G. W. Thompson Post, No. 13. G. A. R., of which he is past post commander ( Mrs. Merriman is past president of the W. R. C. of the same name, and past department president of Connecticut) ; and of Ethan Lodge, No. 9, K. of P., of which he is past chancellor commander ; he was the first captain of Hull Division, Uniformed Rank, No. 5, K. of P., but resigned when he visited Montana, where he has extensive silver and copper interests. Mr. and Mrs. Merriman are devout members of the Congregational Church, and are active in all work that tends to promote the moral welfare of the community.

Theodore D. Merriman, youngest son of George Merriman, Sr., was born in Bristol Nov. 14, 1845, and was educated in a private school taught by Rev. Mr. Tufts, at Monson, Mass., after quitting which he entered his father's drug store, where with the exception of an extended trip through California with his sons, in 1894, he continued to hold the business-having bought out his brother George in 1887-until January 1, 1897, when he re- tired. His death took place the third day of March following. Theodore D. Merriman was married Oct. 15, 1879, to Mrs. Julia (Macy) Gaul, daughter

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of Hiram and Ann (Hall) Macy, and widow of William D. Gaul, of Hudson, N. Y. To this union were born two children: George Macy, Nov. 20, 1880, and Theodore Hall, April 16, 1882, both graduates of Bristol High School, and now students at Yale. Mr. Merriman was a member of the F. & A. M. lodge of Bristol, also of the Royal Ar- canum. He was a stanch Republican, but took no active part in party matters, as he was of a modest, unassuming disposition, and better satisfied with the society of his many personal friends in sociel in- tercourse, rather than the excitement of the "mad- ding crowd."

FREEMAN SEYMOUR (deceased). The Seymour family of Hartford county, with its allied connections, has been one of prominence in the city of Hartford, county, and State from early times. To its early history reference is made elsewhere.

Our subject, late of Hartford, where he had been prominent as a citizen and business man, engaged extensively in farming, was born Oct. 28, 1820, in the house on Fairfield avenue now occupied by his widow, and which was built by his father, who also bore the name of Freeman. The latter was also a man of prominence, and an extensive farmer, taking an active interest in all the affairs of the day, and his opinions and judgment were sought and respected. He married Margaret Clark, whose father, too, was an extensive farmer and man of prominence, and lived on the corner of Webster and Washington streets. Freeman Seymour, the elder, died at the age of eiglity-three, and his wife lived to the age of over eighty years. Both were members of the South Congregational Church of Hartford. Their four children are all now de- ceased, Freeman being the last to die.

Freeman Seymour, our subject, was reared on the homestead, and received a good common- school education. He passed his life largely occu- pied in rural pursuits, engaging in tobacco grow- ing and dairying, and was a man of intelligence and influence in the community. His political af- filiations in his earlier life were with the Whig party, and in after years with the Republican party. He was a member of the Harrison Vet- erans. Throughout his life he took an active in- terest in public questions and in measures calcu- lated to advance the interests of his native city. Mr. Seymour was married three times, his third wife. to whom he was married in 1880, being for- merly Mary O. Smith. To the second marriage was born one son, Freeman P., who is now a resi- dent of Hartford, and in the employ of the Pope Bicycle Works. Mr. Seymour died in 1897, aged seventy-seven years.

Mrs. Mary O. (Smith) Seymour. the widow of our subject, was born in Enfield, Conn., daugh- ter of Hon. John M. Smith, and granddaughter of Thomas Smith, both natives of Scotland and men of liberal education. Thomas Smith was a weaver by occupation, and on coming to America located

in Enfield, Conn., where he was occupied in the business of carpet-weaving. Later he went to Vermont, but after a time returned to Enfield, and there died when fifty years of age. He had married Margaret Woodrow, who was born in Kilmarnock, Scotland, and they had four children. The mother died at the age of seventy-six. The family in their religious belief were Presbyterians. John M. Smith passed his later life in Vermont. Politically he was a Republican, and rose to con- siderable prominence in public affairs, serving two years as a member of the General Assembly of Vermont. He married Jane Boyd, who was a native of the same place as himself, and to them were born three children: Jeanette; Mary O .; and Robert, who is station agent at Greensboro, Vt. Mrs. Seymour's mother died when about thirty- two years of age, and her father lived to be sev- enty.

Mrs. Seymour was reared and educated in Ver- mont. She began teaching in the district schools when quite young, continued this vocation for a number of years. finally coming to Hartford, and here taught in the grammar grades of the South school until her marriage. Since Mr. Seymour's death the widow and son have lived in the home- stead, and have begun the work of developing the farm into a residence section of the city. She is a member of the Congregational Church, the same church her husband attended from his youth.

FRED R. BILL. Associated in business with his brother, Dwight H. Bill, the subject of this sketch, is senior member of the firm of Bill Bros., car men of No. 46 Ann street, Hartford, a firm which has existed for many years, and is known extensively throughout New England. It is per- haps the oldest and best equipped in the New Eng- land States. and possesses most excellent facilities for moving furniture, machinery, hoisting safes, and performing similar service. The firm keeps about forty-five horses, and employs regularly from fifty to sixty men.

The business was started a generation ago by Francis P. Bill, the father of our subject, with whom at various times were associated each of his five brothers, and the firm thus won its way to recog- nition through undergoing frequent changes of per- sonnel. Francis P. Bill, the father, was born in Chaplin, Conn., in 1823, son of Roswell and Olive (Ross) Bill. Roswell Bill was a school teacher. He had a large family, of whom three survive : Ed- win S., of Hartford; Alvin H., of Hartford; and Caroline, widow of Martin S. Preston, of Will- imantic, Conn. Francis Bill spent his boyhood in Chaplin, where he received a good common-school education, and where for a time he taught school. He, however, possessed an active temperament, and. coming to Hartford, entered the trucking business at the bottom of the ladder, driving for Smith & Blodgett for $1 per day He then engaged for a time in railroad work, but soon returned to truck-

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ing, and with his brother founded the firm of Bill Bros., now the oldest in the city. Later he went West, and for nine years engaged extensively in farming in Illinois. Returning to Hartford, he re- entered the trucking business with his brothers, continuing it up to 1872. He then removed to En- field, but nine years later, in 1881, the firm of Bill Bros. again included him as an active member, a business relationship which continued until the death of Mr. Bill, in 1894, at the age of seventy-one years. He was at one time one of the oldest and best known business men of the city. In politics he was a Republican. He married Sarah A. North, a native of Berlin, daughter of John and Harriet (Cheney) North, representatives of two of the oldest and best known families of Connecticut. John North was a farmer and blacksmith of Berlin. Of the children of Francis P. and Sarah A. Bill two survive, Fred R. and Dwight H.

Fred R. Bill was born in Amboy, Ill., Sept. 15, 1863. When two years old he was brought to Hart- ford, Conn., by his parents, and at eight removed with them to Enfield, attending the schools until he was sixteen years old, when, with his parents, he again became a resident of Hartford. He at- tended the high school at Hartford, and began his life work in the office of Bill Bros., when his fa- ther again purchased an interest in the business. Under the present management the business has been greatly extended. To it Mr. Bill has added a six-story storage warehouse, and has also had constructed a number of massive furniture vans, and otherwise increased the facilities of the firm for the prompt and safe removal of goods. A fea- ture to which prominence has lately been given is the packing of household goods, shipment to any point in the New England States, and subsequent unpacking, the firm assuming entire charge from point of shipment to destination.

In 1890 Mr. Bill married Miss Minnie Warner, who was born in Manchester, daughter of A. W. and Jane (Witherill) Warner. Her father is a machinist and expert tool maker of Manchester. To Fred R. and Minnie Bill have been born three children, Francis Putnam, Ruth and Dorothy. Mr. Bill is an officer of the Governor's Foot Guard, having enlisted in 1884, and was promoted suc- cessively to sergeant, lieutenant and captain, now serving his second year with the latter rank. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., and was one of the organizers of the Gentlemen's Driving Club. In politics Mr. Bill is a Republican. The family is widely known in social circles, and its dis- tinguished family affiliations make it typically rep- resentative of the past as well as the present in the social life of Hartford.

DWIGHT H. BILL, the business partner and brother of Fred R., possesses the same aptitude for work and successful achievement. He has been a resident of Hartford for many years, and is wide- ly known in business and social circles. He is a

member of Hartford Lodge, No. 88, F. & A. M., of Hartford; Lodge No. 19, B. P. O. E .; and an ex-member of the Hartford City Guard.

FRANK SMITH BROWN (deceased) was one of the founders of Brown, Thomson & Co., a well-known business firm of Hartford, and for many years was a leading resident of that city.

Mr. Brown was born Nov. 2, 1832, in West Boylston, Mass., and was educated there and at the academy in Shelburne Falls, Mass. Before he was of age he made a trip to Cali- fornia, and while there he became interested in vari- ous mining and general business enterprises. On his return to the East he spent several years as an office clerk for Hogg, Brown & Taylor, of Boston, his brother being a member of the firm. During the Civil war he enlisted in a Massachusetts regiment, and on being mustered out he returned to Boston. In 1865 he located in Hartford and organized the firm of Brown, Thomson & Co. For a time they occupied the southern part of the present Boston Branch Store, No. 260 Main street, but the busi- ness soon became too large for the place, and the entire building was taken, the firm buying out C. H. Smith's business. At that time the name was changed to Brown, Thomson & MeWhirter, but since Mr. Mc Whirter's retirement in 1878 the origi- nal name has been used. In 1877 the business again became cramped for room, and was removed to the present store, in the Cheney building. Mr. Brown was interested in different business ventures at times his influence and advice being factors in their success and he was a director of the Phoenix National Bank. About 1890 he and James Thomson built the "Lin- den," in Main street, Hartford, but failing health compelled Mr. Brown to relinquish business cares, which he did Jan. 1, 1891, and he went to California, where he died Oct. 1, 1893. Finding the climate beneficial, he decided to make his home at Pasadena, where he built a beautiful residence, but he never occupied it, his death having occurred about the time the furniture was to have been sent from his pleas- ant home in Wethersfield, Conn. Mr. Brown was a Republican in politics, and before purchasing his home in Wethersfield was active in municipal affairs in Hartford, representing the Third ward in the board of aldermen, in 1878 and 1879. He was a leading worker in the Baptist Church, and the first president of the Hartford Y. M. C. A. His wife, formerly Miss Anna McDuffee, of Rochester, N. H., is now a resident of Pasadena, Cal. They had three children : George McDuffee, who is mentioned more fully below ; Emma Hanson, a native of Hart- ford, who married John G. Lyman, of New York City ; and Annie Adams, who was born in Hartford, and now resides in Pasadena.

GEORGE M. BROWN was born Nov. 9, 1864, in Boston, Mass., and his early education was obtained in Hartford. In 1884 he went into the store, but he retired in 1893 to look after his extensive prop-

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erty interests in Hartford. He has also been en- gaged in installing electrical and mechanical plants, including some of the largest in this section, and is regarded as an expert on all electrical matters. Mr. Brown was married in Hartford to Miss Delorius Chamberlain, daughter of Gen. Samuel E. Chamber- lain, of Barre, Mass., who served in the Mexican war, and in the Civil war as colonel in the Ist Mas -- sachusetts Cavalry. Two children have blessed this union : Chamberlain Brown and Lyman.

AUSTIN L. PECK, of the lumber company bearing his name, and of the firm of Andrews & Peck, of Hartford, and a veteran of the Civil war, is one of the substantial men of the Capital City, and a descendant of one of the old and prominent families of New England.

The Connecticut Pecks are descendants of Joseph Peck. of Milford, Deacon William Peck and Henry Peck, of New Haven, and Deacon Paul Peck, of Hartford, each of whom became the progenitor of a numerous race. Of these, Jo- seph Peck, who was the ancestor of the Newtown branch of the family, the one to which the subject of this sketch belongs, resided first at New Haven, Conn. His name does not appear on the records until about 1643, although he is generally sup- posed to have resided there earlier, and to have been the brother of Henry, who settled there in 1638, with whom he seems to have resided or been associated, and with whom he probably came over to this country. He left New Haven in or about 1049, and settled in Milford, Conn., where he be- came a member of the church in 1652. He mar- (first) Mrs. Alice Burwell, and ( second) Miss Marie Richards. He died in 1700-01.

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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 27

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