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 34

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 34

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Our subject's education was received at Mace- don (N. Y.) Academy and in the University of Michigan. He was graduated from the Medical Department of Buffalo University in 1860, which

conferred upon him the degree of M. D., then for a period was engaged in hospital practice, developing a taste and aptitude for surgery. On Aug. 11, 1862, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 126th N. Y. V. I., and during the summer of 1864 served as post surgeon at Martinsburg, W. Va. While at this point it was within the province of Surgeon Peltier to render to his country most valuable aid, which was greatly appreciated by the commanding general through a letter of acknowledgment. This service was in the line of imparting information, to Gen. Averill, of a proposed Rebel raid which en- dangered his command of capture. in a history of the regiment of which Dr. Peltier was surgeon it is stated that: "Surgeon Peltier had the full confi- dence of the officers and men under his charge, as well as of his medical associates, by his skill and success as a physician and surgeon, and endeared himself to all by his uniform kindness, his genial and social qualities as a gentleman, and by his un- failing fund of wit and humor, that never required a victim." At the close of the war Dr. Peltier located at Clifton Springs, N. Y., and later at Cornwall-on-the-Hudson, practicing there until 1871, when he located in Hartford, Conn .; he has, by his ability, energy, obliging disposition and en- gaging manners, built up a large, lucrative prac- tice, and attained high rank in the profession.

Dr. Peltier, from close observation and study through years of experience and contact with the world, became impressed with the desire of estab- lishing a retreat for persons suffering with nervous and chronic diseases, believing that in so doing he would accomplish what in time would be greatly appreciated by the thousands of men and women throughout the country so afflicted, and that such an institution would redound to his honor. In this age of hurry and bustle the average business man is so interested in the success of his enterprise that the strain, with little or no relaxation, sooner or later breaks him down, and he finds himself a ner- vous wreck. Such diseases require expert treat- mient. and in a place of quiet, where the patient can have an entire change of scenery, with inviting, cheering and restful surroundings. Carrying out his ideas in the line indicated, Dr. Peltier has estab- lished the Farmington Valley Sanatorium at an ideal country seat, Collinsville, near Hartford, and beau- tifully located on the Farmington river, where the surroundings are just such as are desired. The re- treat or home itself is handsome and cheerful, it being newly furnished throughout ; spacious veran- das are on the first and second stories, and the home pleasant in general. Beautiful drives are on all sides through the grounds, which are well studded with trees and shrubbery. A bountiful supply of pure spring water is at hand, while the air of the New England climate is invigorating. Here also Dr. Peltier has gathered about him a staff of compe- tent physicians and surgeons who have acquired a reputation for themselves, and the Sanatorium is

P.D. filter M.D.

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rapidly coming into notice, and has a promising future.

Dr. P'eltier has been medical director of the Na- tional Life Association of Hartford, and for a dozen or more years has been president of the Board of United States Pension Examiners for Hartford. He is now and has been since its organization 'a member of Robert O. Tyler Post, G. A. R., at Hartford. At the reunion of the 126th N. Y. V. 1., at Gettysburg, Penn., he delivered the address commemorative of the occasion. The Doctor is a member of the Army of the Potomac, the Army and Navy Club, a thirty-second degree Mason, and a member of other fraternal organizations. He is also a member of the American Association of Or- ificial Surgery, of the American Institute of Home- opathy, and was also president of the State Homeo- pathic Association of Connecticut.

On Aug. 16, 1859, Dr. Peltier was married to Maria Reed, who is a great-granddaughter of George Reed, a soldier of the Revolution, and is a descendant of Joseph Mygatt, one of the first settlers (and one of the founders of the Center Congrega- tional Church) of Hartford. The three children born to this union are Florence Perry, Frank Hast- ings Hamilton Peltier, M. D., and Frederick Des- noyers Peltier, of New York City.

HON. DANIEL EDWARD BRADLEY. Prominent among the energetic, enterprising and successful business men of Berlin, Hartford county, is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily, and is determined in their execution ; and his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to him the prosperity which is to-day his.

Mr. Bradley was born in East Jaffrey, N. H., May 16, 1861, a son of Dr. Oscar Holmes Bradley, who was born in Louisville, Ky., in 1826, and has been engaged in the practice of medicine for many years. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Julia Ann Spaulding, was born in 1831, a daughter of Daniel and Lucinda ( Perkins) Spaulding, natives of Fitzwilliam, N. H. The paternal grandfather, Jeremiah Bradley, married Margaret Holmes, of Londonderry, N. H., and they died and were buried at South Royalston, Massachusetts.

Daniel E. Bradley, subject of this sketch, spent his boyhood and youth at home, and was graduated from the public schools of Jaffrey, N. H. At the age of eighteen years he entered Darmouth College, where he pursued both a scientific and civil engi- neering course. After his graduation he had charge of the Hoosac tunnel and Wilmington railroad_as chief engineer, with headquarters at Readsboro, Vt., having become connected with that road during va- cations, and with this company he remained until October, 1883. The following two years he was as- sistant engineer for the Boston Bridge Works, and

for the same length of time had charge of the draft- ing department for the Berlin Iron Bridge Co., at East Berlin, Conn. On resigning that position he went to St. Albans, Vt., where he served as mana- ger and treasurer for the Vermont Construction Co. for two years, and was then elected vice-president, which office he held for the same length of time. That firm did general contracting and bridge work. When he resigned that position he returned to East Berlin, Conn., and was manager of the highway bridge department of the Berlin Iron Bridge Co. until 1898, when he was made manager of the con- tracting department, and now has full charge of making all contracts, etc. Mr. Bradley has proved a most efficient man for the place, and under his able management the business of the company has steadily increased.

On Dec. 31, 1883, Mr. Bradley married. Miss Anna Samson, who was born in Roxbury, Vt., May 3, 1862, a daughter of Charles and Margaret Sam- SO11. Her father died a number of years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley have become the parents of four children : Lucile Katherine, born May 27, 1887, is now attending the Worthington private school in Berlin : Marguerite Julia, born April 16, 1889, is a pupil in the same private school ; Ruth, born June 7, 1891, died Oct. 13, 1893 ; and Edith Narcissa, born Sept. 11, 1893, is attending Miss Roys' private school in Berlin.

In 1894 Mr. Bradley erected, on Worthington avenue, Berlin, a very beautiful residence with all modern improvements. At this hospitable home the many friends of the family delight to congregate. Politically Mr. Bradley is a stanch Democrat, and on the party ticket was elected to the State Legis- lature in 1897. Although Berlin township gave President Mckinley a majority of 251 votes, Mr. Bradley defeated the Republican candidate, M. E. Jacobs, by 68 votes, a fact which plainly indicates his personal popularity, and the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow citizens. He is a prom- inent member of the New Britain Club, of New Britain, Conn. ; the Engineers Club, of New York; the Country Club, of Farmington, Conn. ; the Ameri- can Society of Civil Engineers ; and is a member of the executive committee of the Connecticut Civil Engineers Association. He is prominent in both business and social circles, and is one of the best- known men of his community.

ALLEN A. ROBBINS (deceased). The Rob- bins family for four generations has been promi- nently identified with the history and development of Rocky Hill. In all this time there has never been one of this historic name who has failed to take an active part in the official administration of public affairs in this locality. The earliest member of the family of whom any record has been preserved was one Jolin Robbins, who built the red brick home- stead which is still standing upon the Robbins farm. He was the great-grandfather of Allen A., and the

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grandfather of Allen ( 1), who was the son of Jacob, great-great-grandson of the original John Robbins, gentleman.

Jacob Robbins, grandfather of our subject, was first married to Chloe Williams, who bore him three children : Elias, Silas, and Allen ( who is referred to below). The mother of these children died, and he then married Eunice Webster, by whom he be- came the father of five children: Austin, Moses, Chloe, Silas and Eunice.

Allen Robbins, father of our subject, was born about the year 1779, on the old homestead, and was an eminently successful farmer. He married Amelia Bulkley, and to their union came the fol- lowing children : Thomas, born October, 1806, died at Rocky Hill in 1894 : Chloe W., born Jan. 9, 1808, married Frederick Marsh, and died in June, 1898; Mary. A., born in July, 1810, died in May, 1890; Allen A., our subject, born in 1816, died Oct. 7. 1900 : Abigail W., born in 1819, married Rev. Joshua Maynard, and died in May, 1847: Emily W., born Jan. 9, 1822, became the wife of Robert Sugden, of Rocky Hill. The father died at his home in 1852. the mother on Oct. 4, 1847.

Allen A. Robbins received his early training upon his father's farm, and it did not greatly vary from that obtained by most farmers' lads in the early days of Connecticut history. He remained on this farm until after his marriage, in 1840, to Abby Ann Goodrich. In the same year he went with his wife to live upon the farm of her grandfather, and there remained some six years, or until the death of his wife, which occurred Aug. 4, 1846. Shortly afterward he returned to his father's home, where he remained until November, 1898, when he made his home with his daughter. To Mr. and Mrs. Robbins were born two children: (1) Thomas H., born in November, 1841, is a graduate of Yale University, having received his degree in 1868. He served in the war of the Rebellion in Company H. 25th Conn. V. I., and distinguished himself re- peatedly by acts of personal bravery. He is a civil engineer by profession, and a resident of Oklahoma Territory. (2) Annie A., born July 15, 1845, is the wife of William G. Robbins, a farmer and also the town clerk of Rocky Hill, and they have had six children.

Allen A. Robbins spent the greater part of his life upon the farm, and his career may be said to have been devoid of any events of striking interest ; yet his unassailable integrity, his unvarying fidelity to truth, and his genial, kindly disposition, endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. For many years he was chosen by his townspeople as selectman, the duties of which office he discharged with the same fidelity with which he entered upon every task that fell across his way. When a youth of twenty years he became a member of the State militia, and rose to the rank of captain of his company. He was a devout and consistent member of the Congregational Church, and a liberal contributor to its support and

work. It is of such men as Mr. Robbins, quiet, un- assuming and trustworthy, that New England may well be proud.

HON. WILLIS HENRY UPSON, treasurer and secretary of the Berlin Savings Bank, and who for years has been successfully engaged in mercan- tile pursuits at Kensington ( Berlin), has descended from one of the early substantial families of New England.

Mr. Upson was born March 29. 1858, in Berlin, son of William and Mary ( Hart) U'pson, and grand- son of Thomas Upson, whose ancestors were from Massachusetts. Thomas Upson was a thrifty farmer in the town of Wolcott, and owned consid- erable land. He married Jerusha Upson. William U'pson, our subject's father, was born July 2, 1825, in Wolcott, Conn., in which town he was partially reared and schooled, the family moving when Will- iam was thirteen to Kensington. On reaching man- hood he was married to Mary, daughter of Samuel and Lucy (Dickinson) Hart, of Berlin, both of whom are now deceased, and their remains rest in the Kensington cemetery. Mr. Upson has con- tinued to reside in Kensington, and covering the long period of sixty and more years he has been a useful man in the community and a good citizen. He was a Whig in the days of that party, and on its disso- lution allied himself with the Republican party, and has since strongly advocated its principles. He lias ever taken a deep interest in matters pertaining to the good of the community, and the best interests of the town. He has not aspired to office, yet has held several, among them that of selectman and a member of the board of relief. He was one of the charter members of the Grange, and active in its interests during the existence of the local organi- zation. Since 1870 he has been a deacon in the Congregational Church. His first wife died June 30, 1871, and Feb. 23. 1874, he married ( second) Aurelia, daughter of Isaac Hough, a tanner of Wolcott. She died Aug. 18, 1898, since which period the husband has made his home with his son Arthur, in Kensington. The children born to the first marriage of William Upson are as fol- lows: (1) Willis H., our subject, is mentioned at length farther on. (2) Lucy J., born March 26. 1860, married Jan. 4. 1887, Charles Woodward Cary. a merchant of Montevallo, Ala. (3) Arthur W. born June 25. 1863, married Oct. 3, 1889, Miss Alice E. Peck, who was born Jan. 8, 1865, daughter of Langdon J. and Hannah (Kenney) Peck, of Kensington. Arthur Upson is now practic- ing law with F. L. Hungerford, of New Britain. His children are Claire P., born Feb. 6, 1891 ; Everett L., born June 19, 1892; and Stewart Ar- thur, born May 10, 1894. (4) Alice C., born June 9. 1868, married Sept. 17, 1890, Sidney M. Cowles, who is in the retail meat business in Kensington ; his children are: Helen M. born July 13, 1891 ; and Edward U., born Nov. 11, 1892. (5) Mary

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Hart, born April 15, 1871, married in October. 1895. Howard J. P'ratt, of Hartford, who is con- nected with the Sage & Allen store of that city. Our subject's boyhood was mainly passed in the towns of Berlin and New Britain : he attended the common schools of the former, and the Camp school in New Britain. After his school days were over he began his business career as a clerk in the shipping-room of the gas-fitting department of the Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Co., of Meri- den, Conn. After some four years' service with this company he became assistant paymaster at the Ken- sington branch of the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co., and served as such for two years. Following this he engaged in the mercantile business, and was appointed postmaster at Kensington in 1888, re- taming this position eight years. He is now lo- cated in the new building, having erected near the station a large three-story block in which he established his present mercantile business. Since 1888 Mr. Upson has been treasurer and secretary of the Berlin Savings Bank, an institution that was incorporated in 1873, and of which William Bulke- ley is now the president. Mr. Upson is also a di- rector of the institution. Our subject is one of the substantial citizens and successful business men of Berlin. His public spirit and enterprise are evi- denced in his elegant business block, referred to in the foregoing. In his political views he is a Re- publican, and as such has been active and influential ; he is a member of the board of relief in Berlin ; in 1895 he was a representative from his town in the State Legislature. Fraternally he is a member of the Royal Arcanum Lodge, No. 1105. New Britain.

On May 23, 1883, at Wolcott, Conn., Mr. Upson was married to Miss Clara Eliza Warner, who was born Dec. 24, 1859, daughter of Erastus and Eliza J. Warner, of Wolcott, the latter of whom died in Kensington, in 1899, and is buried in Plymouth, Conn. The children born to our subject and his wife are as follows: Harold Warner, born March 19, 1886; Warren William, Nov. 22, 1887; and Lura Hart, July 16, 1891. The parents are mem- bers of the Kensington Congregational Church, and the father has for years been treasurer and clerk of the Ecclesiastical Society. Both take an active part in church work, and are among its liberal supporters.

EDWIN BISHOP HIBBARD, who passed away March 17. 1877, is well remembered by the older and many of the younger residents of Man- chester, Hartford county, as a citizen who always had the interests of his community at heart, and as a man of high moral character and recognized worth. He was the pioneer merchant in the town, and, rising by his own efforts to a place among the substantial busines men of this section, ranked among its self- made men, and was honored and esteemed wherever known.

Mr. Hibbard was born in March, 1819, in the town of Hebron, Tolland Co., Conn., son of Walter and Lucinda (Jones) Hibbard. Walter Hibbard was a drum major in the war of 1812; by trade he was a stone mason. When our subject was a boy the family removed to New York State, and, return- ing to Connecticut after a few years' residence there, settled in Marlboro, Tolland county. Edwin B. Hibbard received his education in the common schools, and began work at the tinner's trade, which he followed until he reached his majority, after which, for about a year, he sold silverware through the country, hoping to benefit his health, which was very poor. In about 1841 he started a tin shop at Marlboro, remaining there until 1847, in which year he came to Manchester to do some work on the fac- tory of the old Union Manufacturing Co., roofing, etc. When the job was completed, and having de- cided to settle here, he opened a shop in the vicinity of the mill, in time adding hardware, stoves, etc., and in 1848 erecting a small store where his son is now engaged in business. The place was enlarged from time to time as the increasing trade required, and for a number of years he sold hardware, stoves, etc., there, subsequently renting the store to Alex- ander Mitchell and still later to William McCormick and to L. S. Emmons ; it is now ocupied by Hibbard & Stannard. Early in the 'fifties he also built a store in South Manchester, which he conducted a few years and then sold out. After renting his hardware store Mr. Hibbard handled sewing machines and musical instruments, pianos, organs, etc., until his death, and he was also engaged in the same line in Providence, R. I., as a member of the firm of Hib- bard & Hawkins, which later became Hawkins Bros. He was always successful in his enterprises, giving them the careful attention which is necessary in any line, and exercising sound judgment in all his trans- actions.

Though never a politician or office seeker, Mr. Hibbard was nevertheless a most active citizen. All matters pertaining to his town received his careful attention, and, if deserving, his strongest influence, for he could always be depended upon to give his support to any undertaking which he thought would benefit the community. He was identified with the improvement and growth of Manchester from its earliest days, for he came to the town when it could boast of but one store, that of the Union Manufac- turing Co. When the New York & New Haven railroad was built through Manchester Mr. Hibbard, Loren Carpenter and William Jones purchased the land in Manchester on which the depot stands, and presented it to the company, thereby securing to the people of the town a depot site centrally located and convenient. Mr. Hibbard was also for many years identified with religious interests in the town, being a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he united when sixteen years of age, and he served efficiently as steward and trustee of the Society at Manchester. His political support was

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given to the Republican party. He was universally respected by his fellow men as a deservedly success- ful self-made man, and his death was sincerely mourned throughout this section. His remains rest in the Buckland cemetery.

Mr. Hibbard was married, Dec. 31, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth E. Emmons, who was born Nov. 29, 1829, in Haddam, Conn., daughter of William and Han- nah (Ely) Emmons, and granddaughter of Daniel Emmons, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. Hibbard became the parents of four children: Albert, Josephine, Philena and Will- iam, of whom William is now the only survivor. He is engaged in the hardware business in company with Mr. Stannard at his father's old store. In 1859 Mr. Hibbard erected the house in which his widow and son now live.

REV. MICHAEL B. RODDAN. From a worldly point of view "the secret of success is con- centration." The highest ideals are attained only after years of patient toil always tending toward the same focus. But who can measure the success of a life devoted, from childhood, to the one all ab- sorbing purpose of the uplifting of mankind?

Michael B. Roddan was born Dec. 15. 1833, in Boston, Mass., and at the early age of fourteen entered Le Petit Seminaire, at Quebec, to enter upon his studies for the priesthood. Later he at- tended Holy Cross College, at Worcester, and then completed his course at Le Grande Seminaire, Mont- real. Upon the completion of his studies in that in- stitution, he was ordained for the Hartford diocese by Mgr. Cique.

St. Patrick's Church, Hartford, was the first scene of the young priest's labors, and he served under the wise guidance of Rev. James Hughes, priest in charge. From there he went to Water- bury, to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, as assistant to the Rev. Thomas Hendricken, after- ward bishop of Providence. In 1863 Bristol be- came a parish, and Bishop McFarland appointed Father Roddan to care for it. So earnestly did he devote himself to the task of building up the new parish, that at the end of three years his health had failed and he was obliged to seek a change of cli- mate. For four years he remained in Greenville, R. I., and was then recalled to Bristol, where he has since continued his work without interruption. For more than thirty years his flock has known him and, knowing him well, has given him the warm affection his fostering care has engendered, and the community outside the Roman Catholic Church respect him for his high character and fine attainments.

HON. WILLIAM HI. COWLES is a prominent representative of the business interests of Plants- ville, where he carries on operations as a liveryman, merchant and dealer in coal. He is a man of keen perception, of great sagacity, and unbounded en-

terprise, and to these characteristics may be attrib- uted his success.

Mr. Cowles was born in Southington March 19, 1850. His father, Charles Augustus Cowles, was born Jan. 1, 1808, and was married Sept. 24, 1839, tc. Mrs. Delia V. (Stedman) Bradley, widow of Charles Bradley. The children born to them were Charles B. : Frederick A. ; Jane L., wife of Royal C. Mix : Walter A. ; William H. ; Julia A., wife of Al- fred N. Parmalee; and Fanny M. The father ac- quired a competence in trade in the South, became a large land owner in the vicinity of Plantsville, Conn., and was extensively engaged in farming. He died in Plantsville, June 6, 1873.

Addison Cowles, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Southington, Feb. 17. 1770, and was married, Feb. 24, 1800, to Phebe, daughter of Dr. Jesse Cole. He lived in Plantsville Center, where his wife died March 13, 1824, aged forty-six years, and his death occurred Feb. 23. 1828. His father, Ashbel Cowles, was born in Southington Sept. 29, 1740, and was married April 29, 1769, to Rhoda Lee, daughter of Jared and Rhoda (Judd) Lec. He lived west of Plantsville cemetery. He was an extensive reader, possessed a very retentive memory, and was well versed in historical facts and (lates. He held several offices, serving as constable for years, first selectman in 1792, and also held the military rank of captain. He died Sept. 19, 1815. He was a son of Josiah Cowles, who was born in Farmington Nov. 20, 1716, and was married Nov. 11, 1739, to Jemima Dickinson. Soon afterward he located in what is now the town of Southington, where he bought land extensively. His wife died Oet. 19. 1746, and he was again married, Nov. 22, 1748, his second union being with Mary, daugh- ter of Samuel and Mary ( Pynchon) Scott, of Southington. He was a man of great en- ergy of character, took a leading part in church and society matters, held several important town offices, and held the military rank of captain. He was the father of eighteen children, and his descendants are numerous and scattered. Josiah Cowles died June 6, 1793. His father, Thomas Cowles, was born in Farmington Feb. 4, 1686, and was married Jan. 6. 1714, to Martha Judd, eldest daughter of Thomas and Sarah ( Freeman) Judd, of Waterbury. He resided in Farmington, where he died March II. 1751. His father, Samuel Cowles, was born in Farmington March 17, 1661, and was married May 12, 1685, to Rachel Porter. He lived in Farming- ton until about 1716, when he removed to Kensing- ton, where he died Oct. 14, 1748. He was a son of Samuel Cowles, who was born in 1639, and was mar- ried Feb. 14, 1660, to Abigail, daughter of Timothy Stanley, of Hartford. They made their home in Farmington, and he was one of the eighty-four pro- prietors of that town in 1672. He died April 17. 1691. His father, John Cole, was one of the first settlers of Hartford, but soon after 1640 he located in Farmington, and while residing there was induced

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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 34

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