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 55

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 55

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Mr. Hale is a prominent member of the Con- necticut Editorial Association, having been its vice- president, also auditor, and held various positions as committeeman for the association. In 1892 he was sent to California by the association, as dele- gate. In 1897 he was re-appointed delegate, to Galveston, Texas (from which place he went on to the City of Mexico), and in 1900 was also chosen to attend the National Editorial Convention, hield at New Orleans, La. All these he attended. He was appointed to go to the conventions in Denver, Colo., and Portland, Ore., but being unable to at- tend sent his alternates. Mr. Hale belongs to no secret society. He is a member of the First Con- gregational Church, and auditor of the Ecclesi- astical Society. He is a member of the Raymond Library Association. He is auditor of the boroughi of Fenwick, a summer resort, where, with his fam- ily, he occupies his cottage four months in the year. Mr. Hale is active in all local enterprises. He was the promoter of the work of getting a water supply

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system in his town, and was foremost in bringing about the macadamizing of the roads and other in- provements. When fifteen years of age he entered on his musical career, and for several years studied under well-known instructors. At one time he had one of the leading orchestras, and he also organized and taught the local band of his town. In politics lie is a Republican, having always voted that ticket.

Our subject married Miss Celia Hayden, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry R. Hayden, her father being editor of The Weekly Underwriter, of New York. The wedding was celebrated in St. John's Church, East Hartford, in September, 1884. To this union have been born five children : Marjory, Sept. 18, 1892; Warren, March 21, 1894; Louise, Oct. 13, 1896; Lois, May 28, 1898; and Gregory, Aug. 17, 1900.

DEACON JARVIS P. HARRINGTON (de- ceased) was one of the best known citizens of Col- linsville, where he was in mercantile business for thirty-three years, and, although living retired at the time of his death, he took an active interest in all that concerned the welfare of the town. In- telligent, practical and cultured, his opinion had weight among his fellow townsmen, and his in- fluence was a factor in the success of many pro- gressive movements in the community.

Mr. Harrington was born April 22, 1833, in Simsbury, this county, where his family is well known. Elisha Harrington, his father, was a na- tive and lifelong resident of Simsbury, his death occurring there in 1850. By occupation he was a carpenter, and as a citizen he was much respected. He married Miss Caroline Barnes, of New Hart- ford, daughter of Isaac Barnes, who was for many years a prominent resident of Litchfield county. After his death she returned with her children to the home of her parents, but her last years were spent in Collinsville. She was a devout member of the Congregational Church, and was a woman of superior qualities of mind and heart, her little family having been reared by her to lives of use- fulness and honor. Our subject was the eldest of four children, the others being Henry E., a resident of Hartford; Cyrus B., who died in the army ; and Hulbert W., a merchant in Collinsville.

Jarvis P. Harrington began his education in the schools of Simsbury, and after his mother's removal to New Hartford he attended school there for sev- eral winters. He assisted his grandfather upon the farm for several years, and while still in his 'teens was employed as a clerk by Mr. Curtis, with whom he remained three years. At the age of twenty years he went to Mankato, Minn., where he took up a large tract of government land, and during his three-years' residence there he took an active part in the development of the place, giving some time to practical educational work as a teacher. On his return to Collinsville he engaged in mer- cantile business with his brother Henry E. ; later he was in partnership with Mr. Hart, and then with

Mr. Hotchkiss, under the firm name of J. P. Har- rington & Co. He built the Harrington block in Collinsville, a fine structure costing $14,000, and he had large real-estate interests at Providence, R. · I., but his investments in western lands proved un- profitable. His home is a beautiful one, the hand- some residence being on a small farm near the vil- lage of Collinsville, and he and his wife were lead- ers in the social life of the community. For more than forty years Mr. Harrington was identified with the Congregational Church, and for eight years served as deacon and clerk. In politics he was a Republican, although he affiliated with the Demo- cratic party until 1889, and for some time held the office of assessor. He traveled extensively, and in 1881 visited Europe, stopping at the principal points of interest in England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Italy, Turkey, and Russia, and was one of the few men who have gone to the top of the crater of Mount Vesuvius.

Mr. Harrington's first wife, Cornelia Tuller, was a native of West Simsbury, where her brother, Oliver C. Tuller, now resides, and was a daughter of Jeremiah and Luranna (Phelps) Tuller. Her death occurred in 1879, and her remains were in- terred in Simsbury. They had one daughter, Hat- tie, who died when eight years of age. Deacon Harrington was married, in 1883, at Port Jervis, N. Y., to Miss Emma L. Meade, daughter of Isaac Meade, a leading citizen of that place. He passed away Aug. 6, 1900, and was buried in Simsbury cemetery.

HIRAM C. THOMPSON, a prominent res- ident of Bristol, is successfully engaged in the man- ufacture of clock movements, water, gas and elec- tric meter registers, etc., at No. 22 Federal street. He resides at No. 26 Elm street.

Mr. Thompson is a member of an old Connect- icut family, and was born in Bristol, Oct. 25, 1830. Asa Thompson (1), his grandfather, was a native of Cheshire, and married Sarah Cook, of the same town, a daughter of Capt. Ephraim Cook, who won his title by service in the Revolutionary war. They were married during that conflict, and at its close Mr. Thompson went to sea. He died from yellow fever about 1800, on board a ship at New York. He and his wife had the following children: (1) Jairus married Abigail Brooks, of Burlington, and had three children-Marella, who married Henry Roberts; Louise, who married Harvey Root; and Albert, who was accidentally shot at the age of seventeen years. (2) Silas was married twice, first to Mary Castle, by whom he had one child, Edwin C., who married Eliza May, and had two children, Julia and Agnes, both of whom died unmarried. By his second wife, Rosanna Royce, he had three children-Edward died unmarried ; Sarah married Oliver A. Beckwith, and had two children, Oliver and Corinna; Charles W. married a lady named Higgenbotham, and one son, Charles, survives him. (3) Lois married Freeman Plumb, of Cheshire,

De le Thompson

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Conn., and had one daughter, Flora, who married William Hotchkiss: they had one daughter, who married a Mr. Tuttle. (4) Asa, our subject's father, is mentioned below. (5) Benoni married Polly Belden, of Rocky Hill, and had six children- George married Lucy Miner : Norris married Betsey Ferdon : Elizabeth married Edward Gamsby : Julia married John Adams : Jane married John Adams, and had two children ; Albert also married.

The Roberts family have been identified with Bristol from an early day, and Jabez Roberts or Robbards, our subject's great-grandfather, was born there March 5. 1725, and died Aug. 27, 1780. after many years of active business life as a tanner and shoemaker. He and his wife Abigail Stone, had children : Molly, born Oct. 19, 1746: David, born April 28, 1749: Thankful, born March 28, 1751; Abigail, born Dec. 13, 1753; Jabez, our subject's grandfather : and Daniel, born June 9, 1763. Jabez Roberts was born Dec. 29, 1759, and died Feb. 20, 1833. He married Charlotte Wood, and had three children, of whom Emily, our subject's mother, was the youngest. (I) Electa married David Root, and had two children-(a) Edward married Lydia Yale, and had two children, Jane and Mary: (b) Maria married David Carrington, and had one child, Sophia, who married Charles Warren, of Farming- ton. (2) Polly married Abel Root, and had five chil- dren-(a) Sylvester married Mary Ann Hurlburt ; (b) Emily, born in 1816, died July 9, 1886, un- married : (c) George resides in Indiana ; (d) Mary died young ; (e) Robert married a Mrs. Hotchkiss, and died leaving one son, Howard.

Asa Thompson (2), our subject's father, was born in Cheshire. April 1, 1792, and received a common-school education only, much of his time previous to his sixteenth year having been spent in working among farmers of the neighborhood. Be- fore he reached his majority he went to Pennsyl- vania to sell japanned ware, and later he sold clocks in Maryland and Virginia. Returning to Connecti- cut. he engaged in the lumber business at Plain- ville, then called Bristol Basin, but he made his home in Bristol. In 1836 he sold out to Harmenus M. Welch, of New Haven, and engaged in the manu- facture of carriages at Bristol, in company with others. The firm succumbed to the panic of 1837. and Mr. Thompson then joined Chauncey Jerome, William L. Gilbert, James G. Peck, and others, in the manufacture of thirty-hour brass clocks. About 1840 the business was sold to Mr. Jerome, and the plant was burned about 1843. Mr. Thompson next became interested in the manufacture of screws, in partnership with Noble Jerome, Henry A. Pond and others, but the business proved unprofitable owing to the revenue tariff of 1846. From that time Mr. Thompson lived in retirement, and his death oc- curred Sept. 15. 1854. He was a member of the Congregational Church, and an active worker in the Whig party. He served as selectman for two or three terms, and was also chosen grand juror at

tintes. His wife, Emily Roberts, was born Oct. 5, 1796, and died Aug. 25, 1881. Of their five chil- dren, two, Henry Roberts and Hiram C., lived to maturity, the others dying in infancy. Henry Rob- erts Thompson, who died in Bristol, Nov. 20, 1868, was married June 2, 1851, to Georgianna E. Will- iams, daughter of Walter Williams, and had one son, James Henry, who married and settled in Cal- ifornia.

Hiram C. Thompson was educated in the com- mon schools and the academy at Bristol, and at the age of thirteen began to learn the clock maker's trade. For thirteen years he was employed as fore- man in his present factory, then owned by Noah Pomeroy, and in 1878 he purchased the business. Politically he is a strong Republican, having been a member of the first Republican committee of his town. In religious faith he is a Congregationalist. He has been a member of the Y. M. C. A. since 1872, and has been continuously in office in the local society, and for three or four years he was a meniber of the State committee. Mr. Thompson married first Miss Sarah A. Richards, and second Mrs. Julia B. Gray, daughter of Cyrus and Hannah. Perry, of Bristol, and widow of Horace Gray, who was killed while fighting with Gen. ITawley's divis- ion in the assault upon Fort Wagner. Mr. Thomp- son has two daughters, by his first marriage: (1) Nellie married James R. Cairns, of Hart ford, and had four children : Harry, Edward T., Bessie and Ada. (2) Addie married Otto F. Strunz, representative from Bristol in the State Legislature, by whom she had one child, Hermina, who died at the age of two and one-half years.

HENRY E. DIMOCK stands prominent among the business men of New Britain, both for the rise he has made in life by his own unaided efforts, and for the value of his citizenship to the com- munity in which he lives. He was born in Chester, Mass .. Oct. 27, 1845, a son of Harvey Dimock, who was a native of Huntington, Massachusetts.

Harvey Dimock was a son of Thomas Dimock. In early life he was employed in cotton and woolen mills, and later, acquiring a farm of one hundred acres, he led an agricultural life for the remainder of his days. He was a careful, prudent, thorough- going man, who had inherited nothing, and owed only to himself the modest success which he at- tained. He was not active in politics, but sup- ported the Whig party and, afterward, the Republi- can. In religious faith he was a member of the Congregational Church, and he was a man whose example it was safe to follow. He lived to the ex- treme old age of ninety-four years, in this respect keeping up the reputation of the family for longer- ity : his brother Horace lived to the age of eighty- seven ; his brother Aaron passed his eightieth year ; his brother Lyman lived to a ripe old age, and his sister Lucy lived to marry two husbands-Har- wood and Moses Hannom. Harvey Dimock mar-

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ried Caroline Elder, of Chester, Mass., who died Sep- tember, 1899, at the age of ninety-four years. To this union were born three children : Augustus, a grain dealer at East Hampton ; Abbie Lucinda, who mar- ried Charles Upham; and Henry E., the subject of this sketch.

Henry E. Dimock attended the schools of Hunt- ington village, later became a pupil in private schools, receiving a good academic training, and did not leave school until he was eighteen years of age. He was in service for one year during the Civil war, enlisting in August, 1862, in Company F. Forty-sixth Mass. V. 1 .. was at Kensington, Goldsboro and White Hall, and was mustered out in August, 1863. He then acquired the trade of wood-turning, serving an apprenticeship of three years in Chester, Mass. Not content with the nar- row borders of his trade, he branched out in vari- ous lines of work in wood, and became an expert in the use of all kinds of wood-working machines. He was always interested in architectural work, and even after his marriage he received instruc- tion in this, his favorite study. He remained a journeyman in Chester for about ten years, and followed his trade in Hartford for a similar period, worked for three years in Bridgeport, and for seven years in Westfield, Mass. From Hartford Mr. Dimock came in October, 1882, to New Britain, where he purchased the New Britain Variety Works from Charles Woods and converted it into a regular planing-mill, which he named the New Britain Planing & Moulding Works. When he took charge of these works Mr. Dimock did all the work himself, built up his own trade, and so substantially that he now employs regularly about ten men in his factory. He is a self-ma'de man, and the training he has received in his progress upward has made him a most valuable business man.

In politics Mr. Dimock is a Republican, deeply interested in party affairs. He is now alderman in New Britain from the First ward, and formerly represented the Fourth ward in the same capacity. He is chairman of the committee on Streets, one of the most important committees, and of the com- mittee on Buildings and Encroachments. Frater- nally he is one of the most prominent Freemasons in the city, belonging to Harmony Lodge, No. 20, Giddings Chapter, No. 25. Washington Command- erv. No. I, and Sphinx Temple, No. 2. He has filled all the chairs in the Chapter.

Mr. Dimock married Miss Mary A. Smith, of Chester, daughter of Enos Smith, and they have two children: Carrie M., now the wife of E. M. Ezekiel. of Springfield. Mass., and Fred W., who is with his father. Mr. Dimock and his family at- tend the Baptist Church.

HIENRY C. RICE, a progressive and enter- prising agriculturist of Southington, was born in Cheshire, New Haven Co., this State, June 27, 1835,

a son of Lemuel and Maria (Andrews) Rice. The paternal grandfather, Amos Rice, was a native of Vermont, and from that State came to Cheshire, where his last days were passed. The material grandfather, Abel Andrews, was a farmer and old resident of Cheshire. He married Roxanna

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in his native town, and obtained his education prin- cipally in its public schools, though he attended the high school at Mt. Carmel for one term. He began his business career as a shop hand on government work, in the shops of the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co., of Southington, where he was employed for three years. The following two years he spent in Cheshire, but since 1867 he has been a resident of Southington, working as a blacksmith for the lead- ing manufacturers of carriage hardware, bolts, etc., until 1889, when he retired from that business, and has since engaged in farming.

On Sept. 30, 1859, Mr. Rice married Miss Caro- line Royce, a daughter of Lewis and Caroline ( Preston) Royce, of Cheshire, and to them have been born two children: Carrie M., now the wife of Dwight H. Bennett; and George, who married Lena Miller, of Waterbury. In his political affilia- tions Mr. Rice is a Republican, and in his religious views he is a Baptist. He is one of the leading and popular citizens of his community, and wherever known is held in high regard.

JUDGE FRANCIS PARSONS, who was born at Amherst, Mass., Feb. 16, 1795, and died March 9. 1861, at Hartford, was the son of David Par- sons, a clergyman of Amherst, and his mother was a sister of Chief Justice Thomas S. Williams. Judge Parsons was graduated with honors at Yale in 1816, studied law with Judge Williams, and was his partner for several years. He was several times a member of the Legislature, and was once ap- pointed Commissioner of the School Fund, but de- clined the office. For six years he occupied the Bench as judge of the County Court. His wife, Clarissa, the daughter of William Brown, a lawyer of Guilford and Hartford, was born April 6, 1798, and died March 16, 1866.

"For nearly thirty years I have known Judge Parsons only as a friend. I knew him ever as an un- compromisingly honest man. To our shame be it said that it has been remarked that he was too honest and uncompromising to be a favorite of political parties. He never could allow his name to be used where there was the remotest chance of any sacrifice of self-respect. He never did a mean act ; being thoroughly honest, he never per- mitted himself to doubt the honesty of others. I knew him as a philanthropist-a quiet and unob- trusive man. Many a suffering family has been relieved by receiving necessaries and delicacies from him that never knew the donor. I knew him as an enterprising public-spirited citizen, ready to aid with his time and money in every good work.

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I knew him as a humble Christian man, placing his hope and trust not in his own merits, but in the Savior of the world as his comfort through life and in the hour just passed. I desire to bear my testi- mony to his many great virtues. We shall remember him as the noblest work of God, a strictly honest man." [ Remarks of William R. Cone, at meet- ing of the Bar.]

He sought no display, but pursued the even tenor of his way. a sound lawyer, and a very high- ly respected and useful Christian citizen. Among all his name was the very synonym of integrity. Large amounts of trust funds passed through his hands, and he had the confidence of business men in many important transactions. He was universally con- sidered an eminently safe adviser, sound lawyer, and honest man. He was an unostentatious man, whose virtues were best appreciated by those who knew him best.

MAJOR JOHN C. PARSONS. In the death of Major Parsons, at Hartford, on March 11, 1898. there passed away one of the city's most respected and useful citizens.

Major Parsons was born June 3, 1832, in Hart- ford, of distinguished Connecticut parentage, a son of Judge Francis Parsons, of the Yale class of 1816. and his wife, Clarissa ( Brown), a daughter of William Brown, of Yale, 1774. Major Parson's boyhood was spent in Hartford, and in 1850 he en- tered Yale, in the class of 1854. Two years later impaired health demanded a period of rest, which he took, and then returned to the college in the class of 1855, with which he was graduated. Ilis family history, as well as his own inclinations, led him to the study of law, and after a course at the llarvard Law School he was admitted to the Bar in January, 1858. and entered the office of his great-uncle, the distinguished Connecticut chief justice, Thomas S. Williams. Mr. Parson's tastes seldom led him to the more forensic branches of legal practice. His work was largely that of administration and advice ; though he never shrank from any public presenta- tion of legal questions to which his duties called him.

Major Parsons was never ambitious for office, but he had the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens always, and many offices of trust were filled by him. The title by which he was familiarly known was derived from his service as major of the first Company of the Governor's Foot Guards, an organ- ization with which he was associated for many years. He was long identified with the interests of the Brown school. He was president of the association for the care of the ancient graveyard behind the Center church, belonging to the town, where sleep so many of those whose names are honored in the Colonial history of Hartford, and he took an active interest in the efforts of the Daughters of the Amer- ican Revolution to adorn and render it attractive. For eight years ( 1872 to 1880) he was president of the Board of Street Commissoners. At the time of his decease he was president of the Society for Sav-

ings, an office which he had held since 1894; and he was a director in the National Exchange Bank, the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Co., the Connecti- cut Fire Insurance Co., and the Security Co., of which latter organization he was president from 1894 to 1896. He was and had been for many years a director of the American Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, now the American School for the Deaf. He was a trustee of the Perkins estate, and of that of the late Lieut .- Gov. Julius Catlin. As one of the two trustees of the latter property he erected the building on the corner of Main and Asylum streets recently occupied by George O. Sawyer. At one time he was a trustee of the Industrial School for Girls at Middletown. With the First Church he was most intimately associated. Brought up in it under the ministry of Dr. Hawes, he was attached to it with an affection dating from boyhood, and which never waned. He was conspicnous in all the concerns of the First Ecclesiastical Society, and was long a member of its committee. Few actions have been taken by that society for more than a generation past without his active participation or his counsel. His services and his benefactions to the interest of the church of his affections were self- sacrificing and continuous. It was characteristic of his modest self-distrust, however, that though always interested in the spiritual welfare of the church, he did not make a public profession of his religious faith till 1881, when he and his son united with its membership on the same day. He felt a personal sense of pride and possession in its ancient house of worship, evidenced during the last four or five years by its adornment with a beautiful window, representative of the Angel of the Resur- rection, and commemorative of Major John Cald- well, whose name he bore. More recently he placed two tablets on its walls, one in memory of Dr. Hawes, the pastor of his youth, and the other in honor of Chief Justice Williams.

A paper by Major Parsons, on the "Early Topo- graphy of Hartford," was read at the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the First Church in 1883. and was printed in the volume re- counting the commemorative exercises on that oc- casion. Several years ago lie prepared a paper on the "Duties and Responsibilities of Directors and Trustees of Financial Institutions," which was iss- ted in a privately printed edition.

Few men have been more missed from Hartford than Major Parsons. A lifelong resident, he loved the city and was interested in all that made for its advancement. His kindly nature showed itself not merely in an abundant hospitality to his friends, but in constant interest in all of his acquaintances who were in illness or suffering. He was unwearied in his willingness to sacrifice time in helping those who were in need, whether they had any claim upon him or not. His repute for high character, integ- rity and absolute honesty of purpose and of act brought to him much unrequited labor, for he was

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consulted constantly by those in need of business and legal advice who had no one to whom they could naturally turn, and such aid as was in his power was always ungrudgingly given. He was a most public-spirited citizen. Probably no man in the his- tory of Hartford was more ready to do his part by pecuniary contribution or by personal aid in help- ing on any cause which seemed to him likely to ben- efit any portion of the community. He could always be depended upon to carry his portion of the civic load, however burdensome the task might be. But to his personal acquaintances his death was much more than the passing away of a public-spirited member of the community. It was the loss of a singularly unselfish and loyal friend and helper, of a warm-hearted neighbor, of a companion of high pur- pose and stainless life, of a Christian whose place must be with the good here or hereafter.

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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 55

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