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 67

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 67

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On his maternal side our subject is a great- great-grandson of John Kneeland, of Boston, sup- posed to be of Scottish origin, and who was a man of wealth and mark. Beginning as a stonemason, he built the old "Hancock House" and the old South church, of which society he was one of the original members. He acquired much real estate. Kneeland street, Boston, was named in his honor. Samuel Kneeland, son of John, printed the first Bible in Boston, in 1749. William, another son of John Kneeland, was a physician of note, and at one time president of the Massachusetts State Medical So- ciety. William Kneeland's daughter, Mehitabel, was married to Deacon John Simpkins, of old North Church, Boston, and the grandfather of Dr. John Simpkins Butler.

Dr. John Simpkins Butler, our subject, was born Oct. 12, 1803, in Northampton, Mass. He was graduated from Yale College in 1825, and immedi- ately commenced the study of medicine with a phy- sician in his native place. He attended one course of lectures at the Harvard Medical School, Cam- bridge, Mass. His second course was taken at Jef- ferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which institution he received his medical degree in 1828. the father and uncle of Gen. George B. McClellan being among his professors. In 1829 he opened

BURTON A. B

HART

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an office in Worcester, Mass., for the practice of general medicine. He remained there ten years, when, on the opening of the Boston Hospital for the Insane, he was elected its superintendent. After three years' service in that institution he gave up liis position on account of political interference, and resumed the general practice of medicine in the city of Boston; and within a few months of this change he was elected superintendent of the Con- necticut Retreat for the Insane, at Hartford, and in 1843 took up his residence in that city. For nearly thirty years he was the superintendent of the In- sane Retreat, managing its affairs with skill, and watching over its interests with ceaseless vigilance. Having brought the Retreat to a commanding po- sition, as respects its surroundings, architectural ap- pearance and internal arrangements, and its finan- cial and professional standing, he resigned his office, Oct. 19, 1872. His biographer says: "For thirty years of continuous service he kept the institution in the front rank of contemporary progress." From that time on until his death, he continued to reside in Hartford, leading anything but an idle life. He had acted as expert and consulting physician in dis- eases of the brain and nervous system. He took an active interest and a large part in establishing the Connecticut State Board of Health, which has ren- dered most efficient public service. For the first ten years he was its president. He wrote the first annual address of the board-a valuable paper on "State Protective Medicine." He also wrote a num- ber of articles for medical journals, and in 1886 published a small work on "The Curability of In- sanity." and "The Individualized Treatment of the Insane."

Dr. Butler kept up his reading and retained an active interest in all questions concerning public welfare, noting with delight every indication of progress in the treatment of insanity. Ilis special interest in insanity commenced in 1833, while he was in Worcester. He became so deeply interested in a poor crazy Welshman, under treatment at the Worcester Insane Hospital, that his subsequent pro- fessional life was comparatively changed by this circumstance. He was urged to take up the specialty -insanity-as a life work by the noted Dr. Samuel Woodward, the superintendent, who discovered in Dr. Butler those rare qualities of mind and heart which so eminently fitted him for the peculiar duties of such a practice. Dr. Butler was fortunate in having as friends and patrons Dr. Woodward, of the Worcester Hospital, and Dr. Ives, the first su- perintendent of the Hartford Retreat, two noted examples of the ideal superintendent ; yet in treating the patients Dr. Butler's application of principles was decidedly original. His power sprang from a rare combination of personal endowments and qualities. He was a man of sound judgment, and of the broad- est sympathy. He had a retentive memory and a fer- tile imagination. was industrious, persistent, en- thusiastic, and a shrewd interpreter of human na-

ture. He exhibited unusual tact, and possessed that fortunate personality called magnetism. In treat- ing insanity, his chosen field of labor, which he de- lighted to cultivate, he achieved marked distinction. He took a high social and professional position in the community in which he lived. His honors were not few. He was one of the thirteen who or- ganized the Association of Medical Superintend- ents in 1844 ; was eight vears its vice-president, and president of the Association in the years 1870, 1871 and 1872. He was an honorary member of the Medico-Psychological Society of Great Britain, and was connected with many other organizations of similar nature. He was influential in establishing the Hospital for the Insane in Middletown. In the early years of the Hartford Medical Society he frequent- ly attended its meetings. He was so broad in his views, so free from prejudice, so considerate of others, so earnest in his search for truth, that what- ever he said commanded the utmost attention, and when the subjects of discussion were in his special realm his words were received as authority.

On account of his extensive experience Dr. But- ler was often called in council and as an expert in court. Ilis fine presence, his knowledge of the sub- ject, and clear statement in court, commanded the attention of both judge and jury, and, what was more to the point, he could match the case in hand by similar ones, and his own experience was author- ity for his testimony ; and well it might be, for thou- sands of cases had been under his care. One writer, in referring to his connection with the Retreat for the Insane, said :

"Dr. Butler's large sympathies, insight into hu- man nature and rare tact with his patients led them to consider him as their personal friend ; he thus gained their confidence and brought sunshine into their hearts. His charming personality, courtesy and enthusiasm for his work so impressed the friends of his patients that they were anxious to leave them under his charge. It is stated in our rec- ords that he was well adapted for his specialty from his natural powers of kindness, good nature and self-command; he was so judicious that he could give a fitting answer to a complaining patient : hc . was so considerate that he was anxious to serve others rather than himself."

Dr. Butler was nearly six feet in height, with light complexion, pleasant bluish-gray eyes, and a benevolent face. He possessed native refinement, winning manners, frankness and a gentlemanly bearing. He was generally beloved for his many amiable qualities ; he was fond of society, with a mind well stored with interesting and instructive information. One of his pupils said of him: "His interests were always enthusiasms." He was genial and courteous, carnest and sincere. He had a pleas- ant humor, and was always ready with a merry conceit, a quaint saying, or an apt anecdote. He was in his happiest mood when surrounded by his family and his intimate friends, and the last years

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of his life were brightened and cheered by his grand- children, and his correspondence with those who were residing for a time in London was most enter- taining and instructive.

On Oct. 4, 1832, Dr. Butler was married to Miss Cordelia Williams, daughter of Eliphalet G. Will- iams, of Boston, Mass., who was cashier of the City Bank of Boston and was the last selectman of that city. To Dr. and Mrs. Butler were born five children : Charles P., who died in 1887, and is sur- vived by a son, Dr. John S. Butler, of New York City ; Annie W., now Mrs. Samuel G. Goodrich, of Hartford; Flora, who died in infancy; Major J. H. Butler, of Hartford ; and Frank W., of Ridge- field, Connecticut.

MAJOR J. H. BUTLER, son of Dr. John S. Butler, was born at Worcester Oct. 15, 1838. His educa- tion was obtained in Hartford. On May 22, 1861, he was appointed, in the regular United States army service, second-lieutenant of the 2d United States Artillery. He was wounded in the cavalry skirmish near Culpeper, Va., Nov. 8, 1863, his battery at that time being with Merritt's Reserve Brigade. In con- sequence of wounds Major Butler suffered amputa- tion of the left foot and ankle, and was off duty a year. He was then placed on mustering and disburs- ing duty, and was placed on the retired list in Feb- ruary, 1865. On Jan. 22, 1867, he was appointed captain of the 42d Infantry, and in May, 1870, re- tired as captain of Light Artillery. He was brevet- ted captain and major during the war. Returning to Hartford, he was for ten years connected with the Hartford, Providence & Fishkill railroad, subsequently with the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad, in the New York City office, for a year and a half. He was interested in manufactur- ing pursuits in Hartford for several years. Socially Major Butler is a member of the Society of the Army of the Potomac.

On May 30, 1867, the Major was married to Ida de Mariategue Fatio, daughter of Capt. Louis Fatio, midshipman in the British navy, subsequently captain in the United States navy, and later captain in the revenue service. She died Nov. 30, 1873, and on Dec. 7. 1898, Major Butler married for his second wife Miss Mabelle Sturges, of Chicago. His chil- dren (all born to the first marriage) are: Ida, born March 18, 1868, of Hartford; John, born Jan. 21, 1870, of Indianapolis, Ind. ; Louis F., born July 23, 1871, of Hartford ; and Miriam, born Feb. 14, 1873, wife of Dr. Courtland J. Allen, of Providence, Rhode Island.

PICKETT. The family of this name, from which descended Hon. James Andrew Pickett, late a prominent citizen and manufacturer of New Brit- ain, was early at Danbury, Conn. From "Orcott's History of Stratford and Bridgeport" it is learned that James Pickett, son of John Pickett and Mar- garet, his wife, was residing in Danbury in 1690, and from him probably descended those of the

name at that place and New Milford and Sherman, Conn. . John Pickett, referred to, was in Salem, Mass., in 1648, and in Stratford in 1650. Dr. Thomas Pickett from Danbury settled in New Milford, Conn., and married Miss Miriam Mallery in 1716. He died in 1774, his widow in 1776.

Hon. James Andrew Pickett, of New Britain, was in the sixth generation from Dr. Thomas Pickett, the line of his descent being through Daniel, Daniel (2), Daniel A. and Albert.

(II) Daniel Pickett, son of Dr. Thomas Pick- ett, born Aug. 23, 1719, married, Sept. 16, 1741, Margaret Beardsley.

(III) Daniel Pickett (2), son of Daniel Pickett, born Aug. 27, 1742, married, Nov. 5, 1767, Sarah Comstock.

(IV) Daniel A. Pickett, son of Daniel Pickett (2), born Jan. 22, 1769, was twice married, first to Anna Wanzer. For his second wife he married Betsey Seelve, of Sherman, Conn. His children were : Oliver W., Albert and Asa, all by his first wife.

(V) Albert Pickett, son of Daniel A. and Anna (Wanzer) Pickett, born April 9, 1801, married, Jan. 6, 1825, Mary Rebecca Roberts, and their chil- dren were: James Andrew, who is referred to farther on; and Jane Anna, born Nov. 17, 1832, who married, Nov. 18, 1868, John Noble Tread- well, and to the union was born one daughter, Mary Roberts.

JAMES ANDREW PICKETT, son of Albert Pick- ett, was born March 9, 1829, in New Milford, Litchfield Co., Conn., and his education was ob- tained in the public schools of his native place and in private schools in Bridgeport, Conn. When a young man he located, in 1851, in New Britain, to fill the position of bookkeeper for the A. North & Son Saddlery Hardware Manufacturing Co. Several years later (1855), in company with L. F. Judd, he purchased a half-interest in the estab- lishment now known as the North & Judd Manu- facturing Co., of which he served as treasurer for twenty years. From that period Mr. Pickett was closely and prominently identified with the growth and development of his adopted city and vicinity, and was variously connected with the city's largest and most successful corporations-financial and otherwise. In 1876 he was elected president of the Landers, Frary & Clark Manufacturing Co., and was repeatedly re-elected to the same office until his resignation, in 1889, and during all that period his wise conduct of the affairs of that large cor- poration was most economical, successful and satis- factory. A man of excellent business ability and judgment, with that energy and close application to business that are characteristic of the man, he made the concerns with which he was identified move. From 1878 to 1891 Mr. Pickett was presi- dent of the Union Manufacturing Co., of New Britain. He was also for many years vice-presi- dent and a director of the Shelby Iron Works, in

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Alabama, and for many years was a director and vice-president of the New Britain National Bank ; also served as a director of the Mechanics National Bank, the Russell & Erwin Manufacturing Co., the American Hosiery Co., the Stanley Rule & Level Co., the Union Manufacturing Co., and the New Britain Savings Bank. So well and success- fully did Mr. Pickett manage his own affairs and those of the many corporations with which he was connected that his fellow citizens frequently called him to fill public positions of trust, honor and re- sponsibility. For a number of years he was elected town assessor, and city auditor in 1871 and 1872. On the adoption of the system of sewerage by the city he was appointed one of the sewer commis- sioners, and held the office from 1874 to 1882, in- clusive. In 1883. 1884 and 1885 he was elected and served as mayor of New Britain, giving the city an excellent administration. In 1884 he rep- resented the town in the General Assembly, and in that body served as chairman on the part of the House of Representatives of the committee on In- surance. In his religious views he was a Congre- gationalist, identified with the First Church in New Britain, to which and to its charities he was a liberal contributor. As has been intimated in the foregoing. Mr. Pickett was one of the leading busi- ness men and citizens of New Britain, whose citi- zens justly appreciated his worth. Through his knowledge of business, and insight into the needs of the city and town, he in all the various posi- tions contributed much to the welfare and pros- perity of the place. Mr. Pickett passed away Nov. 27, 1900, at his home on Summer street, after an illness of several weeks, deeply mourned in the community where he had his home for nearly half a century.

On Sept. 9, 1857, Mr. Pickett was married to Caroline E. Stanley, of New Britain. She died at Bermuda April 11, 1877. He married ( second ) Nov. 13, 1878, Miss Emma C. Lawrence. The first union was blessed with one daughter, Anna M., who married S. Willis Rockwell, of Enfield, Conn. There were no children by the second mar- riage.

DEACON ASAHEL BROCKETT, late of Bristol, was born in Wolcott, Conn., Aug. 8, 1820, and died in Bristol Sept. 26, 1882. After a suc- cinct account has been given of the parents of the subject and their families, attention will be turned to his genealogy, after which his personal history will be given in detail.

Ransel Brockett, father of Asahel, was born in Wolcott, Conn .. June 14, 1793. He was reared a farmer, was very active in the politics of his day, but more particularly was he active in church cir- cles, being likewise a deacon. He married, Nov. 25, 1818, Miss Mabel Truesdell, who was born Jan. 7. 1798, a daughter of Joel and Mehitabel (Bradley ) Truesdell. She died March 8, 1844, the

mother of two sons: Asahel, the subject of this sketch ; and Calvin, born April 14, 1822. The latter married Jane Plumb, and died in McHenry, ill., Jan. 30, 1848. The son of Calvin, named Calvin B. Brockett, is now a resident of Bristol, Con- necticut.

Sir John Brockett, of Brockett Hall, Hertford- shire, England, the owner of a large estate and an adherent of Charles 1, was the progenitor of the Brockett family of New England, and was the seventh antecedent of the subject.

John Brockett, son of Sir John, was born in England, in 1600, where he married, where his first born child was christened, and whence he came soon afterward to America, where his death took place in 1689. His children numbered eight, and were born in the following order: John, who was christened in England (as alluded to above) Jan. 21, 1643, and died in New England in November, 1720. Be Fruitful and Benjamin, born Feb. 23, 1645; Mary, Sept. 25, 1646 ; Silence, Jan. 4, 1648; Abigail, March 10, 1650; Samuel, Jan. 14, 1651, and Jabez, Oct. 24, 1654.

Samuel Brockett, of the above named children, was married May 23, 1682, to Sarah Bradley, and their six children were as follows: Samuel, born Feb. 15, 1683: Daniel, born Sept. 30, 1684; John, born Nov. 8, 1685, married Huldah Ells March I. 1711; Joseph, born Oct. 8, 1688: Josiah, July 25, 1691 : Alice, April 23, 1693. The dates of death of the parents are unknown.

Samuel Brockett, the eldest of the family of chil- dren mentioned last above was married in 1699. to Rachel Brown, and became the father of five chil- dren : Titus, born June 28. 1700, died July 29, 1773 ; Sarah, born Aug. 26, 1702: Isaac, Sept. 3. 1705 : Rachel, March 22, 1708, and Samuel, born June 21, 1714, died Aug. 27, 1796.

Samuel Brockett, the youngest of the above named family, was born in Wallingford, Conn., whence he removed to Wolcott. Hle married Ruth Bradley, who was born in 1718, and who bore him eight children: Samuel: Eunice, who was born in 1745, and died Dec. 22, 1820; Zuar; Zenas, born July 23, 1752, and died Oct. 30, 1828; Joel ; Rachel, born Jan. 23, 1755, died in October, 1776; Amos, born April 10, 1757, died July 10, 1826; and Benja- min, born Nov. 22, died in March, 1842. The mother of this family passed away April 12, 1780, and the father died in Wolcott Aug. 27, 1796.

Zuar Brockett, son of Samuel, and grandfather of Asahel Brockett, the subject of this biography, was born April 4, 1747. He was a farmer, a promi- nent deacon in the Baptist Church, and came from Wolcott to Bristol for the reason that there was no congregation of Baptists in the former place. He married, Nov. 6, 1744, Miss Abigail Smith, who was born Oct. 18, 1757, and of this union were born eight children: Mindwell, born Sept. 5. 1775. died Sept. 22, 1838; Rachel, born Dec. 21, 1777. (lied May 20, 1844; Titus, born Nov. 25, 1779, mar-

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ried Sarah Peck, and died March 21, 1857; Ziba ; Abigail, born March 3, 1784, married Marcus Mer- riman, and died Jan. 20, 1839; Asahel, born June 26, 1786, died June 2, 1814; Lucy, born May 27, 1789: Ransel, father of our subject, died Jan. 25, 1843. Zuar, the father of the family, died Sept. 17, 1834. Of Ransel Brockett, son of Zuar and father of Asahel, mention is made in full at the opening of this article.

Asahel Brockett, at the age of ten years, removed with his parents to Bristol. Here the remainder of his life was spent, with the exception of two years' residence in Illinois and one in Newark, N. J. An attack of chills and fever compelled him to leave Illinois, but the malarial poison was in his system, and, combined with typhoid fever. caused his death Sept. 26, 1882.

On March 24, 1844, Mr. Brockett was married to Mariett Bradley, who was born in Bristol Nov. 5, 1824, a daughter of Timothy and Hila (Alcott) Bradley ; Mrs. Mariett Brockett survived until Aug. 13. 1897. Of this marriage were born three daugh- ters : Ellen Frances, Mabel Truesdell and Calista Vinton ; of these, Ellen Frances, born July 17, 1849, was married April 15, 1873, to Emerson Francis Judson, by whom she became the mother of three children: Walter Brockett, born June 17, 1874; Wilmer Asahel, born Aug. 27, 1876, died March 28. 1880; and Freddie, born Nov. 13, 1878, died Aug. 16, 1879. Mabel Truesdell, born March I, 1861, resides in Bristol with her younger sister, Mrs. Holley. Calista Vinton, born July 20, 1865, was married June 10, 1896, to Julian R. Holley, secretary and treasurer of the Bristol Brass & Clock Co .. and of whom a full record is given else- where. Of this marriage two children have been born : Julian Laurence, Aug. 25, 1898; and Margaret Storrs. Oct. 31, 1899.

In 1842 Mr. Brockett became a member of the Baptist Church, and in 1853 was chosen one of its deacons. He was prominently identified with all its interests, covering a period of forty years. In politics-he was a Democrat, and by his party many times called to positions of responsibility and trust, ably serving his town as assessor, road commis- sioner, first selectman and judge of probate. He was one of the founders of both the Bristol Savings Bank and the Bristol National Bank, and a direc- tor. from the organization to the time of his death. He administered on many estates of deceased per- sons with comprehensive and just appreciation of all interests.

His universal courtesy, sound judgment. and rare executive ability won for him the affection, esteem and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. His life and character honor the name he bore.

PHILIP JOSEPH DOUGHERTY, a military veteran, who died at his residence in Hartford Dec. 29, 1899, was born in that city in August,

1847. His education was completed in the Hartford Public High School, and on July 29, 1863, he en- listed in Company K, Ist Connecticut Heavy Ar- tillery, with which he served until mustered out, Sept. 25, 1865, making a most honorable record. He was promoted to corporal for gallant service, and was clerk of Company K.

After the close of the war Mr. Dougherty was employed for a time as vard master for the Provi- dence, Hartford & Fishkill railroad, but later he became associated in the grocery business with his father, on Spruce street, Hartford, and at the death of the latter he inherited the bulk of the estate of half a million. He was prominent socially, his genial nature attracting a host of friends, and was identified with several organizations, including the Gentlemen's Driving Club and Robert O. Tyler Post, G. A. R. In religious faith he was a Catholic, and he gave liberally to the support of the church and various philanthropies, the poor obtaining ready aid from him. Politically he was a Democrat. On Oct. 24, 1876, Mr. Dougherty married Miss Bridget Allman, daughter of Timothy and Johannah ( Slat- tery) Allman, of Waterbury, Conn., and a native of Ireland. She survives him with one daughter, Miss Nellie C. Dougherty, who was educated in Mt. St. Joseph's Convent, Hartford, and at Woodside Seminary, graduating from the latter in 1897, in the classical course.

Philip Dougherty, father of our subject, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, and in 1836, at the age of twenty-eight years, came to Hartford with his wife. Hartford then had a population of only 7,000 people, and very few workmen had regular employment, the majority being obliged. to pick up odd jobs where they could. That prospect did not please Mr. Dougherty, and by his faithfulness in the discharge of his duties he finally secured a per- manent place with Humphrey & Seyms, who kept a grocery in the building just south of the Center church, and a soap house on the banks of the Park river. He did not remain with Humphrey & Seyms a great while, leaving them to enter R. Nevers & Co.'s copper-plate establishment, on Main street, and while there he bought a Western farm, paying for it by working overtime. He next bought a house and lot on Imlay street, where he lived until com- pelled to move on account of the laying out of Bush- nell Park. He sold his land to the city and bought a row of cottages on Spruce street, and in 1848 he started in the grocery business there for himself. Three large brick blocks now occupy the site of his original purchase, his successful management of these and other ventures winning him a reputation as one of the shrewdest real-estate buyers in Hart- ford. He was married in Ireland to Ellen Given, who died in 1865. and they had the following children : John, a builder in Hartford; Philip J., our subject ; Sarah, a resident of Montreal, Canada ; Robert, a business man in St. Louis, Mo. ; Charles, of Hartford ; and Hugh, who died in California.

Philip Daugherty

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CHARLES EDMUND STEELE, A. B. Though Mr. Steele at the outset of his ministry was obliged to give up a professional life on ac- count of his health. he has been actively engaged in religious affairs. In a business way he has been connected with his brothers in market gardening, fruit farming, and the development of their real estate. More than to these, his life has been de- voted to the upbuilding of society, to the cause of temperance, and to the various associated efforts for the moral improvement of mankind.

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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 67

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