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 33

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 33

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Mr. Alling is a direct descendant from Roger Allen (Alling), his emigrant ancestor, who came from the County of Bedford, England, and finally settled in New Haven, in 1639. His ancestors (tra- dition says) were the Athelings ( contracted Alling and Allen), who located in the north of England about the sixth century. Roger Allen (Alling) was one of the original settlers and early land hold- ers in the Colony of New Haven. He was given a desirable and eligible location in the original lay- out in 1641, his residence being at the present corner of Church and George streets. He was received into the First or Centre Church in 1641. Gov. Theophilus Eaton took the oath of allegiance and fidelity, and then administered it to many more, and among them was Roger Allen (Alling). He was an active business man, and held many offices of trust ; was a custom house officer ; a sergeant in the first military company : and the first and only elected treasurer of the Colony of New Haven until he be- came ineligible, by being chosen a deacon in the First or Centre Church, in 1669, which office he held until his death, on Sept. 27, 1674. In 1654, when Rev. John Davenport proposed to apply to Gov. Hopkins and the General Court for the estab- lishment of the first grammar and college school in the Colony of New Haven, Roger Allen was the first to respond and say he would send his son there. Several donations were soon after received, and in 1659 the General Court instituted the first grammar school in the Colony, at Saybrook, after- ward, in 1701. organized as Yale College.

John Allen (Alling), son of Roger, was treas- urer of Vale College from 1702 until his death. in 1717. In 1683 he was secretary to the General Court of Connecticut, with Robert Treat, gover- nor, and Samuel Bishop, deputy governor. He was elected to the Assembly or General Court for twen- ty years, and his name appears as Allen until 1701, when it is written Alling, although his name ap- pears as AAlling at an earlier date. At the election of May 12, 1709, when Gurdon Saltonstall was re- elected governor, and Nathan Gould deputy gover-

nor, he was elected one of the magistrates or "Gov- ernor's Council," to which office he was re-elected for several years, and from 1704 to 1714 he was judge of county courts, and held other offices of trust. His descendants were of a type New Eng- land is proud to claim as peculiarly its own-men who make the most of their surroundings, who join honesty to thrift, who love liberality as they scorn extravagance, and they have contributed their share toward gaining those priceless treasures, freedom and independence, several of the descendants having served all through the Revolutionary war and the war of 1812 in civil and military capacity.

Sergt. Samuel Allen (Alling), son of John, born Sept. 7, 1645, married, Oct. 24, 1667, Elizabeth Winston, of the old Cecil ( Churchill-Marlborough) families.

Capt. Caleb Allen (Alling), son of Samuel, mar- ried March 19, 1718, Hannah Bishop.

Capt. Charles Alling, son of Caleb, born in 1729, married Hannah Dorman Jan. 17, 1753. He was a man of military attainments, was in the en- gagement at the invasion of New Haven by the British, July 5, 1779, and testifies as follows :

I, Charles Alling, of New Haven, of lawful age, testify, and say, that I saw, examined and assisted in burying Cap t. John Gilbert, Asa Todd and Joseph Dorman. That Capt. John Gilbert was shot through the knee and then appeared to be killed with a club as his head was very much bruised, and a Club Bloody lay by him. That no wound appeared upon Asa Todd, except he was pierced with a Bayonet, one through the head and twice through the Body. That Joseph Dorman had his Thigh Broken just above the Knee, but it appeared to me, to have been done with a stone, which lay by him Bloody, and that he was pierced with Bayonets, once through the head and once through the Body, but no other wounds.

CHARLES ALLING, Sworn to before Samuel Bishop, Jr., Justice of the Peace.

Abraham Alling, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born May 14, 1754, and married Abi- gail Dorman about 1778. He was selectman of his town for many years, and became one of the best-known Connecticut Congregational ministers of a century ago. He was the first pastor of the Congregational Church at Whitneyville, serving continuously from 1795 to 1822. He was ordained Oct. 19, 1797, and was dismissed in 1822, at his own request ; his register shows that he solemnized 324 marriages. He died July 24, 1836, aged eighty-two, and with his wife is buried in Hamden cemetery.

Ezra Alling, son of Abraham, born July 13, 1799. married Eliza Warner May 25, 1820. He was a well-known agriculturist of Hamden and North Haven. He and his wife are buried in Ham- den cemetery.

Charles Noyes Alling, son of Ezra, was born at Hamden, Feb. 22, 1822, learned the carriage maker's trade, and for many years was a successful carriage maker. About 1851 he removed to Berlin, where he owned and operated the largest carriage factory in the town, and became quite well-to-do. In 1848 he married Delia Angeline Baldwin, her mother

Willard & Alling

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being Rhoda Welles, of the well-known Welles family of Wethersfield. Both parents of our sub- ject are buried in West Lane cemetery, Berlin. In politics Charles N. Alling was a Republican. He served as justice of the peace, was on the board of relief and grand jury for a number of years, and filled various other minor offices. He was one of the founders and an active member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church at Kensington, and one of the trustees until his death, Oct. 8, 1887, at the age of sixty-five years.

Willard Ira Alling, our subject, was born at Berlin, near his present residence in Kensington, March 27, 1855. His early education was re- ceived in the schools of Berlin, and supplemented by a course in the schools of New Britain. Re- turning to Berlin, he remained with his father two years, then took a special course at the carriage maker's trade with the well-known carriage builders of Plainville, remaining there about two years. Mr. Alling soon after took charge of his father's shops, and on his own account engaged in the man- ufacture of carriages, which he continued for about twenty years, becoming quite well-to-do, and re- tiring in 1893. Since that time he has been engaged in the real-estate business and in the management of his several properties in Berlin, Kensington and New Britain.

Mr. Alling married, Dec. 5, 1877, Harriet Eliza- beth Upson, who was born Nov. 6, 1857, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Drusilla (Allyn) Upson, both of whom are now deceased, and are buried in West Lane cemetery, Berlin. To our subject have come the following children: Benjamin Willard, born Nov. 7, 1879, now a student at Dartmouth College; George Baldwin, born Aug. 23, 1882, a student in the New Britain high school; Marshall Louis, born Aug. 6, 1884, a student at the New Britain high school ; one son that died at the age of seven months ; Lulah Elizabeth, born Nov. 9, 1890, a pupil of the New Britain schools; Lauretta Delia, born Jan. 25, 1894, attending the Berlin schools ; and Esther, born Sept. 1, 1896. In politics Mr. Alling is a Republican. He has represented his town at various Congressional, County and Pro- bate conventions, and has held various other town offices ; at present he is one of the members of the Republican executive committee, and one of the auditors of the town accounts, and president of the West Lane Cemetery Association. He is a member of the local Grange, and served as secretary of the organization for two years. He is an attendant of the Congregational Church at Kensington, of which Mrs. Alling is a member. Mr. Alling is recognized as one of the influential residents of Berlin, and is one of its most active and progressive citizens.

HENRY HAYDEN OSBORNE (deceased), in his day a well-known and highly esteemed farmer of Haydens Station, town of Windsor, was truly a remarkable man. When nearing his eightieth birthday he was as active as one thirty years 10

younger, though he was dependent upon his own re- sources for a livelihood since a child of three years, and had worked hard in all kinds of weather and under very difficult circumstances, being knocked around from place to place, where he worked at various occupations, but principally farming.

Mr. Osborne was born in the town of Windsor, Aug. 21, 1819, a son of Harry and Keziah ( Hayden) Osborne. The father was a native of East Windsor and as a young man came to Windsor, where he married, his wife being a representative of the old Hayden family of that town. She died when our subject was but four years old, and the father, who was employed throughout life as a farm hand in Windsor, passed away when less than fifty years of age. Of their four children, Julia married and spent her last years in Hartford, where her death occur- red; and two daughters died in infancy.

H. H. Osborne, the only survivor of this fam- ily, was "put out" with a farmer at the age of three years, and had to make his own way in the world, working at first as chore boy for his board and clothes. His educational privileges were limited to a short attendance at the schools in the vicinity of Haydens Station. At the age of eleven years he went to Suffield, and later worked at various places for different men. On Oct. 2, 1865, he married Miss Jane E. Hatheway, of Suffield, a daughter of Lucius and Maria (Stanley ) Hatheway. She was born Feb. 11, 1831. In 1866 Mr. Osborne returned to Windsor, and worked on the farm of Ephraim A. Judson, at Haydens Station, who at his death gave to our subject the place for taking care of him.

Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Os- borne, namely Louise HI., an estimable young lady who resides at home ; and Francis H., an employe of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Co., who is also living at home. The latter married Nettie L. Ashwell, and has two children : Frank H. and Harry Frederick.

In the course of his life Mr. Osborne met with many serious accidents, including broken ribs and arms, an injured leg and other painful injuries ; but notwithstanding these he, in his old age, was still well preserved and very active and energetic. Po- litically he was a Democrat, but took little interest in politics, seldom voting except at Presidential elections. Mr. Osborne died July 31, 1899, within three weeks of his eightieth birthday, and after an illness of only three days.

JOHN E. MARTIN, A. B., M. D., has brought thorough preparation to the practice of medicine. Ile combines with his professional knowledge of the healing art a remarkable devotion to his chosen profession which has made him eminently successful in practice and one of the recognized leaders of the medical fraternity in New Britain.

The Doctor's father, Michael Martin, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, son of a farmer and cattleman. When twelve years of age he emigrated

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to America and settled at New York, after some time moving to Connecticut, and afterwards to Massa- chusetts. Sometime during the 'fifties he returned to Connecticut and etablished himself at Uncasville, where for many years he was engaged in a manu- facturing industry. In 1867 he moved to California, and for two years engaged in mining. On his re- turn East he located at Montville, thence removing to Bristol, where he has since lived. Michael Martin is a self-made man, possessed of good native ability, and has prospered well in life. In his political opinion he is a Democrat, but not active in party af- fairs, and he is a member of the Catholic Church. He married Ellen Gartland, of County Monaghan, Ireland, and of their four children Margaret is dead ; James owns and manages a hotel at Niles, Cal. : Mary married Michael Connors, and resides at Bristol, Conn. The mother died in 1886. Michael Martin had one brother, Thomas Martin, a wealthy and successful ranchman of Niles, Alameda Co., Cal., now deceased.

John E. Martin, whose name introduces this sketch, and the youngest child of his parents, was born Dec. 11, 1866, at Uncasville, New London Co., Conn. He received a good academic education in the high schools of Bristol and Hartford, and upon the completion of his studies there entered St. Laurent College, a branch of Notre Dame, located five miles from Montreal, Canada, and remained a student for several years. He then attended St. Joseph College, at Bardstown, Ky., completing the collegiate course and receiving the degree of A. B. in 1889. At the college he was regarded as a thorough student, and was remarkable for his elo- cutionary powers. He next entered the office of Dr. Horton at Bristol, Conn., and a year later ma- triculated at the University of New York, whence he was graduated in April, 1892. He began his pro- fessional career at Winsted, Conn., in April, 1892. In February, 1893, he removed to New Britain, in which city he has since practiced continuously. He has a numerous clientele, drawn from a radius of ten miles around, and has built up one of the best practices in the city. He is visiting physician and surgeon for the New Britain General Hospital; is a member of the City Medical Society, belongs to the Allopathic school of medicine, and devotes a consid- erable share of his time to surgery, in which branch he has been very successful. In politics the Doctor is a Democrat, but he is not strongly partisan, though his elocutionary gifts fit him eminently for a public speaker. He is a member of the Knights of Colum- bus, the Foresters of America and the K. O. T. M .. and has taken an active interest in fraternal work. He is a man of broad culture, has traveled exten- sively, is a thorough business man, and a successful practitioner.

Dr. Martin married, on Juy 17, 1894, Margaret J. Wheeler, daughter of Simon Wheeler, a native of King's County, Ireland, and one of the oldest and most respected residents of West Winsted, Conn.

She is a graduate of the West Winsted High School, also of the New Britain Normal School, and in the Winsted schools was regarded as a most bril- liant pupil. She was a teacher in the public schools of her native town prior to her marriage, taking high rank in her profession. To Dr. and Mrs. Martin have been born four children, Eleanor, Ra- mona, Edward, and Margaret.

PHILIP NORTON. The family of the late Philip Norton of Kensington is descended from Le Sieur de Norville, who came from Normandy to England in September, 1066. Through seven gen- erations the patronymic continued in its French form, although in time Sieur became the plain Eng- lish Sir. A son of the first English progenitor mar- ried into the family of Barr, and one of his sons into that of Dalba Monte. Other matrimonial connec- tions in the direct line of descent were with the fam- ilies of NeWitt of Ruby, Dampre Count, Sir John Headoroke and a Basingbroke. It was at this period that the family name was changed to Norton, the first of the de Norvilles to take the Saxon form be- ing Sir John Norton, who married Anne, a daugh- ter of Lord De Grey, of Ruthm. His son and grandson both bore the Christian name of John, and both were residents of Sharpenhow, Bedfordshire, England. John (2) was twice married, his second wite (from whom the Connecticut Nortons are de- scended) having been Jane, a daughter of John Cooper. She bore her husband three sons and one daughter. One of the sons, Richard Norton, be- came the husband of Margery Wingar, also of Sharpenhow. Their son, William, was also twice married, his first wife being Margaret, a daughter of William Harris, and his second Dennis Chitsmley.

The first of the family to emigrate from England to America were the two brothers, Thomas and Francis, sons of William. Of these the first named was the great-great-great-grandfather of Philip Norton. He landed at Boston and removed to Guil- ford, Conn .. June 1, 1639, he and his wife, Grace, being among the first settlers of that town. He died there in 1648.

Thomas Norton had a son named Thomas, a resident of Saybrook, who was the great-great- grandfather of Philip. Next in the line of descent is Thomas (3). who also lived in Saybrook, where he reared a large family. His son Jedediah Nor- ton, the grandfather of Philip, came from Saybrook to Wallingford ( now Meriden). In time he became a large owner of realty, making his home in Berlin on a large tract of land which he purchased, situated on the main road between Hartford and New Haven, some two miles south of what is now Worthington village, and about a mile north of the boundary line between Berlin and Meriden, which also separates the counties of Hartford and New Haven. He was twice married. His first wife was Eunice Cowles, of Meriden, by whom he had two children. In 1746, after her death, he was united with Achsah, a

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daughter of Isaac Norton, who was a son of Thomas Norton (3), mentioned above.

Isaac Norton, the maternal great-grandfather of Philip Norton, was born in Farmington in 1680, and died in 1763. He was the husband of Eliza- beth Galpin, of Stafford, whom he married in 1707. He was known as Ensign and Lieutenant Norton, was a merchant of Worthington (now Berlin), and one of the wealthiest citizens of the town. He was famed for his piety, and was held in high esteem. Achsah was born June 10, 1721, and died Aug. 8, 1805, having borne her husband eight children. He and his family were among the first members of the Congregational Church, and he was the donor of the first organ which the society ever owned, and one of the first two imported into America, and which was destroyed by fire in the burning of the church building. Jedediah's son Samuel, the fa- ther of the late Philip Norton, was born Sept. 30, 1759, in that part of Farmington which is now Ber- lin, the place of his birth being the present home- stead, still owned and occupied by decendants of the Norton name. In November, 1775, when a mere boy of sixteen years, he enlisted in the Con- tinental army, re-enlisting in May and July, 1777, and again in July, 1779. He was present at the siege of Boston, and took part in the battle of Bunker Hill. He also served with the New Haven coast guard, aided in repelling the British invasion of that town, and passed through the war without a wound. He was also a delegate from Berlin to the Constitutional Convention in 1818. On Jan. 22, 1789, he married Phoebe Edwards, who was born Feb. 19, 1770, in Meriden, which was then a part of Wallingford. Ten children were born to them, none of whom are living. Samuel Norton was an exceedingly prosperous farmer, also a sagacious in- vestor in stocks and other securities, and was con- sidered, in his day, a very wealthy man. He died Oct. 27, 1832. His wife survived him for many years, and both now rest in the South burying- ground at Berlin.

Philip Norton was born March 2, 1801, in Berlin. His school days ended, he followed a cus- tom then very common among young men in that section of the State, and started on a trip through the South, peddling tinware made in his native town. On his return home he settled down to the life of a farmer. He was a public-spirited citizen, and al- ways aided any enterprise likely to benefit the town. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious affili- ations a Universalist, although the Society of that creed in Berlin was dissolved before his death.

Mr. Norton was married, March 28, 1835, to Elizabeth Newberry, who was born May 31, 1810, in Wethersfield, the daughter of Benjamin and Martha (Dickinson ) Newberry. The Newberry family was one of the most prominent Colonial families of Windsor. The children of this mar- riage were three sons and four daughters : Samuel. the eldest, lives in San Francisco; John married 1

Ann Jeanie Ford, of Berlin, where he resides and is prominent in town affairs; Henrietta is the wife of R. A. Moore, postmaster of Kensington ; George Benjamin is connected with the wholesale paper warehouse of C. B. Hewitt & Bros., of New York; The remaining children live together in the family homestead, one of the most picturesque places in the town. Mr. Norton passed away in 1880, at his res- idence in Berlin, and was laid to rest in Berlin cem- eterv.

HENRY MARTYN ROBBINS (deceased) was for many years one of the honored and esteemed citizens of .Newington, a man whose well-spent and charitable lite commanded the respect of all with whom he was brought in contact.

A native of Connecticut, Mr. Robbins was born Aug. 10, 1839, on the old homestead, at Newing- ton, Hartford county, in the house where his widow now makes her home. Unni Robbins, his father, was born on the adjoining farm (the one on which Mrs. F. J. Warner now lives), married Sarah Dun- ham, and died when about seventy years of age. He was a son of Unni, who was a son of Unni, whose father was the first of the family in the United States, coming from England and settling in New- ington. The ancestors were all farmers by occupa- tion, honorable and industrious men, and good citi- zens.

Our subject received a liberal education, in part at the Newington public schools, and in part at Newington Academy, subsequently continuing his studies at Cheshire and Harlem, and in the meantime gaining considerable experience in agriculture on the home farm. At about the age of eighteen years lie went to New York City, where he clerked for a time, and later took up his residence in Hartford, in that city carrying on a furniture business in part- nership with Mr. Robbins and Mr. Winship, under the firm name of Robbins & Winship. At the end of about four years Mr. Robbins, on account of the death of his father, withdrew from the concern, re- turned home and assumed exclusive control of the farm, and passed the remainder of his life there, dying Dec. 27, 1898. His home was built by Tim- othy Stanley, and bought by his father, Unni Rob- bins. Besides engaging in general farming, our subject dealt largely in tobacco, growing consider- able quantities each year. He was thoroughly public-spirited, widely known and generally re- spected, perhaps more so than any other man in Newington and vicinity, and was prominent and gen -- crous in all public affairs. He was mainly instru- mental in getting the electric street-car line estab- lished between Newington and New Britain, giving right of way through some two miles of land, be- sides giving financial aid and lending his influence in securing money donations for the same purpose. He also gave to the town a lot on Main street, whereon to build a library, if the town should so wish. At his death he left five thousand dollars

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to the Ecclesiastical Society (Congregational Church), and one thousand dollars to the Children's Home.

On May 19, 1875, Mr. Robbins was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Frances Kellogg, who was born Oct. 4, 1851, in North Carolina, one of the family of five children of Martin and Patience (Gordon) Kellogg, both now deceased, the father being buried in Newington, the mother in North Carolina. Mr. Kellogg was born in the town of Newington, Hartford county, where he received his earlier education, subsequently taking a course at Yale College, where he was graduated, and soon afterward going to North Carolina, where he estab- lished a school for boys. He married and continued to reside there, but died in Hartford, where he had come for treatment during his last illness.

Mr. Robbins, as is also his widow, was a mem- ber of the Congregational Church, toward which he was very liberal of his means, and he was also con- nected with the Grange. A stanch Democrat, he was firm in his political creed, but never obtrusive or radical; in 1876-77 (one term) he served in the Legislature with credit and ability, and for some fourteen or fifteen years he was a selectman of the town. During the war of the Rebellion he sent a substitute, and in many other ways proved his loyalty to the cause of the Union. His public and private life were alike above reproach, and his widow, a most estimable lady, fully shares in the high regard accorded her husband.

PIERRE DESNOYERS PELTIER, M. D., of Hartford, founder of the Farmington Valley San- atorium, at Collinsville, and a physician of distinc- tion in the profession, has descended from an his- toric ancestry.

Dr. Peltier was born Nov. 15, 1835. in Fort Gra- tiot, Mich., son of Charles and Emily ( Parmely ) Peltier, and a lineal descendant of Michael Pelletier, Sieur de la Prade, Seigneur de Gentilly; and of Francois Pelletier, who was one of the founders of Detroit. Charles Peltier, the grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving as an adjutant ; he was later post trader at Fort Wayne, Ind., and was killed by the Indians.

Charles Peltier (2), our subject's father, was an historic character in the early history of Mieni- gan. He was post trader at Fort Gratiot, and af- terward for a number of years comptroller and jus- tice of the peace in Detroit. Mrs. Emily ( Parmely) Peltier, the mother of our subject, after the death of her husband was again married, to Simri Col- lins, and under the name of Emily Parmely Collins is widely known as a woman suffragist and writer on economics. Her father, James Parmely, was a patriot of the Revolution.

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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 33

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