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 58

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 58

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Noah Pomeroy, great-grandfather of our subject, was the twelfth child born to Joseph, had his first residence in Coventry, Conn., and moved to Somers in 1752, when he was fifty-two years old. He was a farmer, and owned much land in the eastern part of the town, most of which is still in the possession of the Pomeroy family. He married Elizabeth Sterling, of Lyme, Conn., and the remains of both lie interred in the old Center (or North) cemetery at Somers.

John Pomeroy, grandfather of our subject, was a farmer in Somers.

Hiram Pomeroy, father of our subject, was also a farmer of Somers, a distiller, and a manufacturer of barrels, and did a very large business, as is shown by his voluminous account books. He owned the first pleasure carriage in Somers, and was re- garded as a man of substance and of excellent judgment, but of few words.

Noah Pomeroy, the subject proper of this

Noch Pomeroy

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memoir, was the twelfth in a family of thirteen children-seven sons and six daughters-twelve of whom reached years of maturity. He located in Bristol, Conn., early in the 'forties, and for a while worked for his brother, Chauncey Pomeroy, in Forestville, and afterward in different shops in Bristol. In 1849 he purchased the Chauncey Ives property, in Bristol, commenced business for him- self, and continued therein until Nov. 20, 1878, when he sold out to H. C. Thompson, and in 1889 disposed of all his Bristol property to the same gentleman. He had already purchased a residence in the city of Hartford, in 1865, and made his home there that year. In 1844 he married Jane Parker, who survives him, and they had a happy married life of fifty-two years.

Levi Parker, Mrs. Pomeroy's father, was a na- tive of the town of Wolcott, New Haven county, and spent his entire life in that county and Hartford, being a merchant by occupation. He died about 1836, at the age of about forty years. Mr. Parker married Miss Polly Peck, a native of the town of Burlington, Hartford county, and she survived him many years, dying in 1894, at the home of her daughter, in Hartford, aged ninety years. They had but two children : Jane ( Mrs. Pomeroy), and George H. The father was a Freemason. George H. Parker became a manufacturer, and for a few years was a partner of Noah Pomeroy in the manu- facture of clocks in Bristol. But after a few years he retired, and later moved to California, where he died in 1894, a man of wealth. His death was the result of an injury.

Mr. Pomeroy's home was his refuge and his haven of rest. He did not care to leave it for public duties or for the applause of his fellow citi- zens, but was well informed on all public affairs, and performed the duties of citizenship with the conscientious feeling which pervaded all his actions. His name was a synonym of honesty, well known to all men with whom he had dealings. He regarded his word as sacred as his bond, and, with the same exaction that he demanded that which was his, he freely accorded what belonged to others. His kind- ness toward his employes was most marked, and the tributes of those who were associated with him as fellow laborers and employes through many years are freely given. He valued his good name and that of his wife, and, rather to defend this than to obtain financial results from a lawsuit into which he was cruelly drawn, he conscientiously crossed the continent to remove the wicked aspersions thrown against him.

Mr. Pomeroy was a generous giver, which fact was known only to those who were the recipients of his many favors, excepting through other sources than himself. His name never headed subscrip- tion lists, nor was it quoted among those who were public givers. In his giving it could be well said that "his right hand knew not what his left hand

did." No impecunious and worthy relative who needed his aid, or faithful employe, or meriting ser- vant, or deserving friend, or suffering unfortunate one, appealed to him in vain, and many were his benefactions to those of which the world at large knew not. His domestic life was the highest type of marital relation. After a half century of asso- ciation with his faithful wife his interest in her health and happiness was most manfest on every oc- casion, and the little courtesies of life, so frequently overlooked in the advanced years of manhood, were as ever present in him as in the lover. His love was fully reciprocated by his devoted helpmate, whose ministrations to his comfort knew no lagging. and her watchfulness of his health, enfeebled through many years, ceased only when human hands could do no more. He bore his ill health uncom- plainingly, and died as he lived, a quiet and peace- ful man, and his life drifted out as the candle sinks dimly and slowly in the socket.

A strange Providence took Mr. Pomeroy far from home, to die amid strangers, and even among them, during his brief sickness, his gentle and un- complaining ways attracted friends to him. His remains, borne back across the continent to the home of his boyhood, manhood and old age, were placed at rest in the beautiful city of the dead at Hartford, covered with flowers of affection, contributed by kind friends and neighbors and those who knew him best, and in a quiet and simple manner, con- genial to his tastes.

In politics Noah Pomeroy was a strong Repub- lican, and much interested in the success of his party. Educational matters absorbed much of his atten- tion, particularly the educating of the colored people of the South. He was an unusually thoughtful man, and, like his father, a "man of excellent judg- ment and few words." It was a favorite saying with him that one would never be sorry "for what he had not said," and he measured the full force and effect of his every utterance. He was a great lover of books, especially biographical and histor- ical works, and an admirer of the artistic, which he was capable of appreciating in all things. Thus lived and died a devoted husband and exemplary citizen, and a man who made the world better for having lived in it.

Since her husband's death Mrs. Pomeroy has continued to make her home in Hartford. She is a woman remarkably well preserved, both mentally and physically, and manages all her own business affairs with a skill and shrewdness not excelled by a man. She is generous, hospitable and sociable. and enjoys the highest esteem of her many friends.

HON. LEWIS G. ENO, Representative from the Simsbury District in the Connecticut General Assembly of 1899, is a member of one of the most prominent families of the town, was born March 23, 1851, and is a son of Chancey E. and Harriet

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(Goodwin) Eno, of whom a biography is given else- where. Maternally he traces his descent direct from Ozias Goodwin, one of the first settlers of Hartford, Conn., the line being as follows :

Ozias Goodwin was born in England in 1596, and married Mary Woodward. William, son of Ozias, was also born in England, the date being 1629. Nathaniel, son of William, came to America with his parents in the ship "Susanna ;" he marred Mehitable Porter Stephen, son of Na- thaniel, was born in 1701, and married June 27, 1727, Sarah Gillett. Joseph, son of Ste- phen, was born Dec. 28, 1736, and married Rosanna Gillett. James, son of Joseph, was born Jan. 25, 1777. and married Candace Bird, who was born in Simsbury, Conn, June 26, 1783, and was a daugh- ter of Dr. Jonathan and Amy ( Humphrey) Bird, the former of whom was a surgeon in the Revolu- tionary army; James Goodwin was a farmer in the town of Simsbury, and in 1819 served in the State Legislature; he died Oct. 17, 1828, his widow on May 16, 1864. The children of James and Candace Goodwin were as follows: Candace Fanny, born Feb. 22, 1803, died March 1, 1804; Fanny Rosanna, born June 25, 1804, married a Mr. Kingsbury, a I'resbyterian minister, who was stationed at Dan- ville, Ill., for a number of years ; Edward Bird, born Oct. 2. 1811, married Flora Case ; Helen May, born july 6, 1815, died unmarried Aug. 13, 1842; Har- riet, our subject's mother, was born Feb. 19, 1821 ; and Sarah C., born Feb. 14, 1824, married Oct. 29, 1845, Salmon Chester Eno.

Lewis G. Eno was educated in the district schools of his native town and of Winchester, also at Wil- braham Academy and at the Connecticut Literary Institute, at Suffield. He was reared to manhood on his father's farm, attending school in the winter seasons, and working hard in the summer time. He has resided in Simsbury all his life. His mar- riage took place in June, 1879, to Miss Anna Brad- ley, a daughter of Justin and Caroline (Humphrey) Bradley, and three children have been born to them, the eldest of whom, Annette, died when five years old, and Caroline and Harriet are still under the parental roof. His wife and daughters are mem- bers of the Congregational Church, Mrs. Eno be- longing to the Home and Foreign Missionary So- cieties.

For a number of years prior to 1898 Mr. Eno had charge of the estate and country home of the late millionaire, Amos R. Eno, at Simsbury, and since that date has been superintendent of the farm- ing interests attached to the estate of that gentleman, proving a painstaking and competent steward.

In politics Mr. Eno has ever been a stanch Re- publican, and he has worked hard for the triumph of his party at the polls. The esteem in which he is held was made manifest in the remarkable vote by which he was elected, without solicitation on his part, to the State Legislature, in which body he is

a member of the committee on Roads, Rivers and Bridges. He is unostentatious, but an agreeable companion, and has hosts of friends all over the county.

JAMES CORBIN JACKSON, M. D., whose death ocurred in 1882, had been for many years a conspicuous character in the profession at Hartford. He for a longer period, and, perhaps, with greater zeal, had devoted himself to the renovation of the State Medical Society than any of his contempora- ries.

Dr. Jackson was born Aug. 22, 1818, at Cornish, N. H., son of Elizuer and Lois (Corbin) Jackson. An acquaintance in "Men and Events" thus referred to his life :

"He was a most enjoyable man, always in good spirits, with an undercurrent of humor, quaintness and brusqueness of speech which at once attracted the attention of his listeners. Whoever came in contact with him was put at ease by his cordial man- ner and his readiness to engage in conversation upon any subject, either of special or general interest. Apparently he was never in a hurry, always ready to stop on the street to talk with a friend, often at the expense of punctuality, the risk of a late dinner, and work to be continued well into the night. Dr. Jackson came to this city soon after the formation of our society, and after the fees had been raised from seventy-five cents to a dollar a visit. This act, although just on account of the increased ex- pense of living, was unpopular, and many endeav- ored to prevent newcomers from joining the soci- ety and adopting its fees. But he, in accordance with his usual good sense and judgment, cast his lot with his fellows, who were endeavoring to ele- vate the standard of the profession. We always expected to see him at our society gatherings, and he often took part in its literary exercises, and was among the foremost in promoting its social side. As a speaker, he was deliberate, his methods were logical, and his conclusions forcible. In him we had a good representative to the State Society. He was treasurer from 1863 to 1876, having taken the position when the accounts were in a most disorderly state and the publications were of very little value. The desirability of the continuance of the society was by some a question. Dr. Jackson recognized the condition of affairs, and entered upon the task of improving this state of things with all the earn- estness he possessed. He insisted upon the collec- tion of taxes ; labored to obtain more papers to be read at the annual meetings ; he inspired new in- terest among its members, and by his efforts brought a balance to the treasury, and helped to make the publications worthy of the society. The most im- portant paper which he published had for its sub- ject, 'Logic Applied to Medical Science.' It was prepared with great care, was full of thought and suggestions. He urged that the reasoning faculties

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should be used in all the departments of medicine, and that sufficient data should be obtained before the drawing of conclusions.

"Dr. Jackson had a very large practice, and at one time did more obstetrical work than any other physician in the city. It has been said that his active interest in politics during the war caused dis- satisfaction among some of his patients, which led them to leave him. However that may be, he al- way retained a good practice. Pleasant in his manners and intelligent in his work, he received the patronage of the public which lie merited. His medical associates always found him ready to lend a hand, and give good advice after a deliberate con- sideration of the facts. He was one of the early and earnest workers in the Hartford Hospital. He was shrewd in detecting those who entered its walls at public expense without sufficient reason, as many did after the war for the sake of obtaining a home. It is related of him that while making the rounds of the wards one day he found a man who often came in for the simplest ailment, and would stay as long as possible. This time his trouble was a cold in the head. The Doctor thought he had little reason for being there, and said to the interne, 'I would put an all consummate big blister on his stomach.' Upon making his visits upon a subsequent day he noticed the man, and asked him how he was getting along. 'All right,' said the man, 'but this is the first time that I ever heard of blistering the belly for a cold in the head.'

"Dr. Jackson was a public-spirited man, and many important trusts were confided to him, in which he served with fidelity and to the great satis- faction of all interested. He was not a mere office holder, but gave his time and best efforts to every position which he accepted. He was useful all his life, steadily and constantly occupied, trusted, re- spected and honored by his fellow citizens."

On Dec. 18, 1878, Dr. Jackson wedded Helen Lyman, daughter of Sylvester S. and Lucinda ( Gay- lord) Lyman, of Hartford. He died Feb. 7, 1882.

EDWARD O. ELMER, M. D., a successful physician of Hartford, was born July 2, 1867, in West Hartford, and is a member of an old and highly esteemed family of that locality.

Oliver S. Elmer, the grandfather of our subject, was born in 1800, in West Hartford, and followed farming for many years, his death occurring there in 1883. He married Mary Ann Welles, of West Hartford, Connecticut.

Hiram Welles Elmer, father of our subject, was born in West Hartford in 1835, and after receiving a common-school education engaged in farming, which he has continued in connection with other nterests. For twenty-six years he was employed n the freight department of the New York & New England railroad ; for five years by the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad: and at present is with the Hartford Rubber Works Co. His patriot-

ism was shown by three years of service in the Civil war, and he is a leading member of Robert O. Tyler Post, No. 6, G. A. R., of Hartford. In April, 1858, he was married in West Hartford to Miss Cynthia Elizabeth Tuttle, daughter of Elam Tuttle, and their home is at No. 61 Francis avenue, Hart- ford. They have had ten children: Herbert Tut- tle, now employed in the New York & New Haven freight office; George H., who died at the age of fourteen years; Edward Oliver and Ella Mary, twins, the latter of whom married Charles W. Elli- son, of Bridgeport, Conn .; Joseph O., a contractor with Landers, Frary & Clark, of New Britain ; Will- iam Henry, who died at the age of seven years ; Alfred G., now employed by the Hartford Rubber Works Co .; Jennie G., a kindergarten teacher in Hartford; Emma B., at present studying music in New York City; and Walter F., with the Lion Fire Insurance Co.

Dr. Edward O. Elmer received a common-school education in Hartford, and is a graduate of the old South school. When fifteen years old he was em- ployed by Mr. Stoughton, a druggist of Parksville. with whom he remained nine years, and during that time he began the study of medicine. In 1894 he was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in Baltimore, Md., and for four months he was in practice in Bridgeport, with an office on East Main street, but he now resides in Hartford, at No. 805 Park street, and has a large general practice in Parkville and Elmwood. He is a member of the City, County and State Medical Societies, and of the American Medical Association, and is also identified with the N. E. O. P. and the Pilgrim Fathers. Dr. Elmer was married in Hartford to Miss Carrie Louise Rowley, daughter of William Rowley, a well-known resident of that city.

JOHN F. DOWLING, M. D. This well-known physician and surgeon of Hartford was born July 8, 1857, in Meriden, New Haven Co., Conn., son of Peter Dowling.

The family is of Irish origin, and Dennis Dow- ling, our subject's grandfather, was a native of Maryborough, Queens County, Ireland, but spent the last twenty years of his life in America. By occupation he was a farmer, and he passed away in Middletown, Conn., at the advanced age of eighty- seven years.

Peter Dowling, father of Dr. Dowling, was also born in Queens County, Ireland, in 1830. He came to America, in 1847, and located at Meriden, Conn., being one of the first Irish residents of that place. Hle has been engaged in farming all his life, and is much respected among the people of the town. He is one of the oldest members of St. Rose's Church, at Meriden. He was married, at Walling- ford, Conn., to Miss Elizabeth Moran, a native of Westmeath, Ireland, who died March 17, 1886. They had two children: John Francis and Eliza- beth M.

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Dr. John F. Dowling spent his early boyhood days on the home farm in Meriden, Conn., while attending the public schools and Meriden Academy. He learned the silversmith's trade, and was em- ployed by the Wilcox Silver Plate Co. several years, but in 1884 went to Chicago, Ill., where he studied Latin and chemistry. In 1886 he went to Ilart- ford and began the study of medicine with Dr. J. J. Morrissey, at No. 3612 Church street, and a year later he entered the University of the City of New York. He graduated from Long Island Col- lege Hospital on March 13, 1890, and in April, 1890, he began practice in Thompsonville, Conn., meeting with success from the start. He was the first health officer of the town of Enfield, under the law requiring that such officers be physicians, and his interest in local progress was shown by serv- ice as a member of the school board of that town. On Dec. 1, 1895, he sold his practice to Dr. Rear- don and removed to Hartford, buying the house of Dr. Morrissey. Dr. Dowling is a member of the City, County and State Medical Societies, and one of the staff of St. Francis' Hospital, and fraternally is connected with the Foresters, Knights of Co- lumbus, and Ancient Order of Hibernians.

On April 14, 1896, the Doctor was married, at Hazardville, Conn., to Miss Margaret J. Leary, a graduate of the Normal School at New Britain, and formerly principal of the grammar school in Thomp- sonville. They have one son, Leo Jerome, born Feb. 18, 1898.

JOHN BERNARD BOUCHER, M. D., one of Hartford's successful physicians, was born July 18, 1864, in East Windsor, Conn., son of John M. Boucher.

The family is of French origin, but John M. Boucher was born in County Cork, Ireland. He came to America at the age of eighteen years, and has since been engaged in farming and tobacco- growing in East Windsor. In 1857 he was married in Windsor Locks to Miss Mary Halloran, a native of County Cork, Ireland, who died in 1889. Of their eight children, (1) Ellen married the late John Smyth, of Enfield, Conn., and had seven children, six now living, Thomas, Henry, George, Francis, Charles, Richard, and Raymond (deceased). (2) Miss Joanna L. resides in East Windsor. (3) Thomas Francis, who was formerly employed in the State Arsenal at Hartford, died in April, 1897. (4) John Bernard is mentioned more fully below. (5) Richard P., who graduated from the Baltimore Medical College in 1896, is now practicing in Providence, R. I. (6) William Edward received the degree of D. D. S. from the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, and is practicing in Hartford. (7) James Joseph is studying medicine in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore. (8) Fran- cis is the station agent at Melrose, Connecticut.

John B. Boucher first attended school in East Windsor, and at the age of fourteen entered the

high school in Enfield, Conn., where he completed the course under Prof. Cooley. Having learned te- legraphy, he took a position as operator and station agent at East Windsor, remaining three years, and spent the next four years in similar work at Mel- rose, Conn. He then went to Plainville, Conn., and spent three months as ticket agent and operator, and six months as agent, after which he was em- ployed by the Consolidated railroad, as a clerk in the freight department of the terminal station in New York City. His abilities won him speedy promo- tion, and after seven months he became second clerk in the office. In September, 1890, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Balti- more, where he completed the full graded course in April, 1894, in a class of 106, receiving the second gold medal for highest standing in medical studies throughout the four years. During the last year he was assistant in the City Hospital, and after his graduation he served three months as resident phy- sician in the same hospital. On June 1, 1894, Dr. Boucher located in Hartford, where he has built up a large general practice, and his work as a surgeon has won him a high reputation. In the summer of 1899 he visited Europe, and did post-graduate work in Berlin, Vienna, and Berne, Switzerland. He is a surgeon on the staff of St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, and an active member of the City, County and State Medical Societies, and of the American Medical Association. In June, 1898, he attended the meeting of the latter society in Denver, as a delegate. Socially he is identified with Nutmeg Tent, No. 15, K. O. T. M. Dr. Boucher has re- cently purchased the residence of ex-Mayor Will- iam Waldo Hyde, on Charter Oak avenue, Hart- ford, which he has had remodeled into a beautiful home. It is adjacent to the Charter Oak Tree Monument.

On June 20, 1900, the Doctor married Miss Marie Louise Kennedy, of New Haven, Conn., daughter of the late John J. Kennedy, ex-president of the Branford Lock Works.

WATSON GIDDINGS, the well-known car- riage manufacturer of Bristol, was born on a farm. in East Hartland, Hartford county, Conn., April 4, 1830, of remote Scottish ancestry, and of New- England descent since 1635.

The name of Giddings, according to some au- thors, is derived from Gideon, the Hebrew for "brave soldier;" from Gideon, also, came Giddy. Giddies, Gibbon, and Geddes. There are several places in Scotland named after this family, as, for instance, Geddeston, Geddes Hill, Geddeswell, etc. The Geddes family, of Rachan, in Peebleshire, have possessed their estate for 1,300 years, and the manor of Geddings, which lies within the two parishes of Broxbourne and Great Amwell, doubtless de- rived its name from Edmund Geddings, who in 1334 was granted the right of Free Warren. There- are, in America, but few families of the name that

Matson Gadding

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do not trace their line to George and Jane Giddings, descendants of the Scotch family named above, and who came to this country in 1635. That George Giddings was a man of means and position is evi- denced by the fact that he brought servants with him. The record of the family in America will there- fore run as follows :

(1) George and Jane (Tuttle) Giddings, aged respectively twenty-five and twenty years, came from England in 1635, and settled in the town of Iyswich, about twenty-five miles from Boston. Mass., with their three servants. There came with them a companion, Sir Henry Vane, the fourth governor of Massachusetts, who in 1662 suffered martyrdom for his zeal in the cause of religion. George Giddings was born in 1608, and died June 1, 1676, the father of eight children : Thomas, born in 1638, first married Mary Goodhue; his second wife was named Elizabeth. John, born in 1639, is mentioned below. James, born in 1641, married Elizabeth Andrews. Samuel, born in 1645, first mar- ried Hannah Martin ; his second wife was named Elizabeth. Joseph Collins married Susannah Rindge. Sarah. Mary married Samuel Pearce. George.

(11) John Giddings, who was born in 1639, had a commonage granted him in 1667; was a commoner in 1678: a lieutenant of militia; and was also a deputy to the General Court in 1683. 1684 and 1685. On Feb. 20, 1690, his estate was inventoried at £269 15s. 10d. ; his death took place March 3, 1691, and the estate was partitioned March 29, 1692. After his death his widow, Sarah, mar- ried Henry Herrick, of Beverly, and she died in Gloucester. To the marriage of John and Sarah Giddings were born ten children: George, born in 1664, (first ) married Mary Skamp and ( second) Mrs. Elizabeth Perkins: Elizabeth was first mar- ried, Dec. 16, 1685. to Mark Haskell, and later to John Dennison, of Ipswich; Jane married Nov. 26, 1691, Joseph Haradine (she had no children ) ; Sarah, born in 1672, married John Haraden, who died Nov. 11, 1724, the father of several children ; John was born in 1665: Job, born in 1677, married Sarah Andrews, became the father of three chil- dren, and died Feb. 27. 1708: Solomon, born in 1679. married Margery Goodhue; Joshua, born in 1681, married Abigail, was the father of five chil- dren ( three of whom died young ), and was prob- ably lost at sea in 1716; Thomas, born in 1683, mar- ried Sarah Butler : Mary, born in 1686, was mar- ried to Benjamin York.

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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 58

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