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 75

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 75

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has given deep thought to the problems connected with the work of fighting the fire fiend. In 1896 he represented the Hartford fire department at the International Tournament in London, England, and visited may cities on the continent, studying the practical workings of various systems. In politics Mr. Eaton is a Democrat, but votes for the best men in local elections. Socially he and his family are much esteemed, and he belongs to St. John's Lodge No. 4, F. & A. M., and was in 1854 a mem- ber of Hyperion Lodge, I. O. O. F., which was disbanded in 1855.

On April 14, 1856, Mr. Eaton married Miss Lurana Haynes, who died aged forty-eight years, and in 1884 he formed a second union, with Mrs. Caroline ( Aldridge) Ramsden, a native of Oxford, England. By his first marriage he had thirteen chil- dren, only one of whom survives, Nellie H., who married the late Thomas R. Laughton, and has three children. By the second marriage he has one daugh- ter, Alice, now attending school in Hartford.

LEMUEL T. FRISBIE, who was for many years a prominent business man of Hartford, was born Feb. 7, 1824, in Bloomfield, Conn., of an ex- cellent family long identified with agricultural pur- suits. His father, Enoch Frisbie, followed farming in Bloomfield and Berlin, and later removed to Springfield, Mass., where he died at the age of sixty-six years. The mother, whose maiden name was Eliza Taylor, was born in England. This wor- thy couple had seven children, of whom two are living : Thomas ; and Sarah, who married Franklin F. Smith, of West Springfield, Massachusetts.

Lemuel T. Frisbie was reared among the whole- some influences of farm life, and his education was obtained chiefly in the common schools of Bloom- field, and at the Connecticut Literary Institute, Suf- field. He was engaged in the meat business in Windsor for some time, and in 1865 removed to Hartford, where he purchased the business of Mr. Cowles, a dealer in hides and tallow and manu- facturer of tallow candles. For a number of years he had a partner, Eber Gridley, but on his death Mr. Frisbie continued the business alone. In 1881 his son, Charles G., became a partner. under the firm name of L. T. Frisbie & Son. The son died Nov. 21, 1893, and the father passed away Dec. 3. of that year, their death being deeply mourned among a wide circle of acquaintances. At the time of his death Mr. Frisbie was among the oklest busi- ness men in the city, and in the course of his long career he had become interested in various enter- prises, notably the Board of Trade. He built a number of houses in Windsor, where he resided for a time after his marriage, but in 1874 the family re- moved to Hartford, and his widow now occupies their pleasant residence at No. 800 Asylum avenue. Mr. Frisbie was a Republican in politics, and served at one time on the common council of Hartford. He was identified with the Y. M. C. A., and with the

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Asylum Hill Church, in which he held various important offices, including that of chairman of the society's committee.

On April 6, 1848, Mr. Frisbie married Miss Caroline E. Gillette, a native of Windsor, and a descendant of Cornelius Gillette, who came from England in 1635, and settled in Dorchester, Mass. Her grandfather, Daniel Gillette, a Revolutionary soldier, and a deacon in the Congregational Church, followed farming in Windsor, where he died in 1824. By his first wife he had four children, and by his second wife he had three. Oliver S. Gillette, father of Mrs. Frisbie, was born and reared in Windsor, and was engaged throughout his active career in operating a sawmill and gristmill, in connection with farming. He died aged forty-five years, in the midst of a promising career. His first wife, Eliza Pickett, a native of Suffield, died July 18, 1829, aged thirty-two years, and of their three daughters Mrs. Frisbie is now the only survivor. By his sec- ond wife, Sarah Belden, he had two children, both now deceased.

Mrs. Frisbie and her family hold an enviable position in social life, and they have been among the most active supporters of the Asylum Avenue Church. She was reared in the Congregational faith, her parents having been members of the church, and her sympathy and aid are freely given to any worthy cause. Of her four children only one is living. Ella Taylor, who was married, Oct. 14. 1874, to George H. Woolley, junior member of the firm of George W. Woolley & Son, the well- known casket manufacturers of Hartford. Mr. Woolley was born and reared in that city, and for some time was connected with the banking inter- ests there and in the West before engaging in busi- ness with his father. Mr. and Mrs. Woolley reside with Mrs. Frisbie, and their four children. Arthur Gillette, G. Clarence, Fred F. and Carolyn M .. make the old home bright.

Charles G. Frisbie (mentioned above). who died aged forty years, was a successful business man, taking the leading part in the work of the firm in later years, and for some years he was a member of the Board of Trade. He married Miss Isabelle Wells, and they had three sons, Leonard W .. Charles and Robert.

SANFORD F. BRONSON. Among the best known successful business men, connected with in- surance circles in the New England States, may be mentioned the subject of this sketch, general agent in the State of Connecticut for the Hartford Life Insurance Co., with office in the Home Co.'s build- ing, corner of Ann and Asylum streets. Hartford. He was born in St. Albans, Vt., Sept. 29, 1839, a son of William H. Bronson, who was born in North Hero, Vt., and a grandson of Lyman Bron- son, a native of Litchfield, Connecticut.

The ancestor of this family was one of three brothers who came from Scotland to this country,

locating in Connecticut. The great-grandfather of our subject removed to Vermont, where his son Lyman (grandfather of Sanford F.) spent his life in agricultural pursuits, dying at the advanced age of eighty-six years. He was a man of ability and in- telligence, and occupied a place of prominence in the town where he resided, being a justice of the peace, also holding other offices of trust, and transacting a large amount of business for the people of the town, where he was most highly respected. He married Jeannette Strong, who was born on North Island, Vt., and represented an early family of that State. Seven children were born to this union, all of whom lived to advanced ages: David, Uriah, Esther, Carlisle, Polly, Hannah, and William H., who is the only survivor. Of this family, two daugh- ters, Esther and Carlisle, died in the same week, Esther at the age of ninety-eight, and Carlisle when ninety-six. The mother of these died at the age of ninety-two. She was a member of the M. E. Church. as was also her husband. He was a member of a militia company that fought at the battle of Plattsburg.

William H. Bronson was reared on the old farm, and educated in the common schools. Later learn- ing the trade of tanner and currier, he worked at same for some years as a journeyman at St. Al- bans, after which he purchased a farm which he carried on for a number of years, and where he now lives retired. He is a man of prominence in the town, and at one time was a captain in the local militia. He is a Republican, and, while holding no office, has always taken an active interest in political matters, and is a man well informed upon all issues of the day. Although over ninety years of age he- enjoys good health, and spends his summers with his son Sanford F., at his beautiful cottage at Nian- tic, Connecticut.

Throughout the section in which he lives the name of "Capt." Bronson is a household word, and he enjoys the highest respect and esteem of the entire community.

William H. Bronson married Harriet Smith, who was born in St. Albans, Vt., a daughter of Josiah Smith, a farmer, and a model man of that section, where he was a pioneer and one of the most successful agriculturists. He died there at the age of sixty-eight. His wife, Sarah ( Whitte- more), also represented a very early family. Mr. and Mrs. Smith reared a family of six children, two of whom, Jackson and Lucius, are still living at St. Albans, Vt. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Bronson had' six children, five of whom grew up, and three are still living : Sanford F. : Sarah J. (Mrs. Brigham), who resides near her father ; and Edwin, residing with his father on the homestead. George, the eld- est of the famly, was a magnetic healer, and per- formed some wonderful cures, among them being that of a case of paralysis of the arm and hand of our subject's wife, which he restored to its original' functions. Indeed he was celebrated throughout

S. A. Bronson

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all that region on account of his marvelous success. He died at the age of fifty-eight. W. Elbert, the younger brother, who always lived on the farm, died at the age of twenty-one. The mother passed away aged seventy-seven; she was a member of the M. E. Church, as is her husband.

Sanford F. Bronson, the subject of this sketch, spent his early years in Vermont, was educated in the common and high schools, entered upon a mer- cantile career, and later became a salesman upon the road, for a Boston firm. in 1879 Mr. Bronson came to Hartford, where he took an office in the Hartford Life Insurance Co.'s building, and for the next three years, through energetic work, laid the foun- dation for his present extensive business. During this time he averaged $1,000 per day, writing SI,000,000 worth of business in three years, a record that has never been reached by any agent, and as a reward for his success he was made general agent for the company and given the State of Connecticut as a field, with full power to employ such agents as he might see fit, and handle the territory according to his own ideas. He asked no salary from the company, having faith in his own ability to the ex- tent that he believed ne could, upon a reasonable commission, make a success for both himself and the company. This point he has demonstrated beyond all question of doubt, and during the twenty years now closing (1900) he has written, together with the assistance of an able corps of agents, $20.000,- 000 of business, or an average of $1,000,000 for each year, and has in force to-day over $14,000,000. For many years he did the largest amount of busi- ness of any general agent connected with this com- pany. He has under him a force of over fifty men, many of whom have been trained by himself per- sonally, which is the secret of their success. Of the officers of this company he is the oldest, and he has seen five presidents at the head of that insti- tution, including the present one.

On Sept. 18. 1864, Mr. Bronson married Jane Wilbur, who was born in Lawrenceville, St. Law- rence Co., N. Y., a daughter of Erastus Wilbur, a prominent farmer of that town, who died at the age of over eighty years. His wife died young, Mrs. Bronson being left an orphan when two years old, and she then made her home with T. P. Phelps up to the time of his death. He owned a farm of 800 acres, near where she was born, and after his death our subject purchased it. and it is now one of the finest farms in the State of Vermont ; upon it are kept some sixty head of cattle and a number of horses. Mrs. Bronson personally superintends this farm, doing most of the buying and selling, and, together with her son, giving the general directions in regard to its cultivation.

To Mr. and Mrs. Bronson have been born three children : (1) Hattie A. married Harry A. Thomp- son, and by him had three children, William E. and Sanford, now being educated in the Cheshire Mili- tary School, and Sadie. After Mr. Thompson's

death, which occurred in 1889, Mrs. Thompson mar- ried Frank M. Fuller, who is employed in Mr. Bron- son's office. (2) Sadie died at the age of nineteen. (3) Henry S., who was educated in the common and high schools, married Anna F. Haynes, of Niantic, and they are now with Mrs. Bronson on the farm.

In politics Mr. Bronson is a Republican, but has declined all offices. He takes a great interest in the U'nitarian Church, is one of the trustees of the church fund, and was one of the agitators of the movements which resulted in this society erecting the present magnificent block on Pratt street, Hartford, known as the Unity block. He is a member of the F. & A. M. An extensive reader, he is thoroughly posted on all the topics of the day ; of affable manner, and genial nature. he has won for himself a host of friends ; and by close application to business, believ- ing firmly in the principles of life insurance, he has succeeded to a degree far in advance of most men. Beginning as he did at the bottom of the ladder, his example is indeed one well worthy of emulation.

JAMES F. HOLDEN. the courteous and popu- lar postmaster at Forestville, Hartford county, is a native of Connecticut, having been born Feb. 21, 1857, in Terryville, in Litchfield county.

Felix Holden, the father of our subject, was born in County Cavan, Ireland, August 12, 1832, a son of Owen and Catherine ( Riley) Holden, both also natives of Ireland, the former of whom died there, the latter coming to America and passing the rest of her days in Bristol. Their son Felix, when a young man, came to America, settling in Connecti- cut, and for over fifty years he has been an honored resident of Bristol. For twenty years he was em- ployed by the Bristol Brass & Clock Co., as en- gineer and watchman, and he is now engaged in farming. Mr. Holden married Jane Farley, born Oct. 12, 1837, daughter of Philip Farley, who emi- grated to America from Ireland, and spent the rest of his life in Bristol, Conn., where for many years he was employed in the copper mines. To Felix and Jane (Farley) Holden came children as follows : Catherine Marie, born July 21, 1855, is the wife of P. T. Martin. of Bristol : James Francis is our sub- ject ; Felix Joseph, born Nov. IT, 1859, is a cigar- maker by trade, and resides at home: Mary Eliza- beth, born Jan. 30, 1861, was married, Oct. 15, 1885, to Arthur T. Roach, of Bristol, who is em- ployed by the Bristol Brass & Clock Co. ; Jennette C'ecelia. born Dec. 20, 1863, is assistant in the post office at Forestville: Margaret Teresa, born April IO, 1865, is a saleswoman in Fox's store, in Hart- ford: Annie Emma was born Feb. 28, 1867: John William, born Aug. 15, 1869. is an electroplater with the E. Ingraham Co. ; Benedict Michael was born Feb. 17, 1872 (he demonstrated his patriot- ism by his services in the late war with Spain, at the close of the Spanish war again enlisted, in Company G, 27th U. S. Vols., going to the Philip- pines ; he was promoted to sergeant-major ).

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James F. Holden, the subject proper of this sketch, received his education in the public schools of Bristol, whither his parents had removed when he was but three years of age. After leaving school he worked in the trimming department of the E. N. Welch Manufacturing Co., for four and one- half years. He then went to work for the Bristol Brass & Clock Co., on press work and blanking-out work, continuing thus for about two years, when he was made foreman of the finishing department. That position he held ten years, having under him usually about forty hands. In 1885 he resigned and took the appointment of postmaster at Forestville, and at the same time embarked in the grocery and provision business, conducting same until 1889.when he resigned and sold out his business to Samuel H. Wink. Returning to his former position of fore- man of the burner shop of the Bristol Brass & Clock Co., he held the same until 1893, when he was again appointed postmaster, and bought his business back. He has since filled that position with his characteristic ability, care and urbanity. When first appointed he was the youngest postmaster in the State. In political faith he is a Democrat, but he does not take a very active part in political af- fairs, and never sought office of any kind. Mr. Holden is a charter member of Palos Council, No. 35, Knights of Columbus, of Bristol, of which he has been trustee since its organization ; and he is a charter member of Court Forest, No. 40, Foresters of America, of Bristol, of which he is past chief ranger, and was financial secretary for four years. In religious connection he and his wife are members of St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church, of For- estville, of which he is sexton.

On May 15, 1883, Mr. Holden was married, in Bristol, Conn., to Margaret Gillen, born May 2, ; column to pass over, and to advance with the charge. 1857, daughter of James and Ann Gillen, and they have one son, William Cyril, born Feb. 9, 1884.

HON. WILLIAM HENRY WATROUS, pres- ident and treasurer of the William Rogers Manu- facturing Co., of Hartford, and several other con- cerns, is a native of that city, born July 18, 1841. Mr. Watrous is a son of Rufus and Julia A. (Rog- ers) Watrous, and had almost attained his majority when he responded to his country's call and vol- unteered his services to aid in crushing out the Rebellion, but of this episode in his life further mention will be made later on.

In youth William H. Watrous had but limited opportunities for an education, but for a short time he managed to attend the Arsenal school, then taught by Mrs. M. M. Perry, and for one year at- tended the Hartford Public High School. In 1855. at the early age of fourteen years, he began learn- ing electro-plating in the factory of his uncles, Asa H., Simeon S. and William Rogers : they were the originators of this industry in America, and, under the firin name of Rogers Brothers, in 1846, had started in a small way in Hartford, at the foot of

Trumbull street, on the site now occupied by the Jewell Belting Co. In 1859 he was in the employ of Rogers, Smith & Co., on Mechanic street, and while with that firm came the echo of the shot at Fort Sumter which boomed around the world. On the call for men by President Lincoln, for the de- fense of the Union, young Watrous was among the first to respond among the youth of Hartford, and April 18, 1861, he enlisted in rifle Company A, then under the command of the present United States Senator Joseph R. Hawley, and filled out his term of enlistment.

On Sept. 2, 1862, Mr. Watrous again entered the volunteer service, and was mustered in as first sergeant of Company B. 24th Conn. V. I. After seeing some minor service, the 24th joined Gen. Banks' expedition, and on April 14. 1863, took part in the engagement at Irish Bend, La .; on May 24 the regiment was in advance as skirmishers to the rear of Port Hudson, drove the enemy from his rifle-pits, held its position all night within 400 vards of the Rebel earthworks, and lost but one man killed and three wounded. On May 25 five companies from the 24th engaged in skirmishing, and lost two men. On May 27 the sharpshooters were called in, and the regiment moved, with its division, to the support of Gen. Weitzel's storming column. On May 31 the 24th was detailed to sup- port batteries on the right. On June I the 24th was before Port Hudson, with the reserve of the right wing, until the morning of the 14th, the day of the second assault, in which the regiment played a conspicuous part. The duty assigned it was for the men to sling their rifles, and each man to carry two thirty-pound gunny-bags of cotton, with which to fill the ditch, making a bridge for the charging

The murderous fire from the enemy's works caused a failure of the part assigned the advance regi- ments, which had been detailed as sharpshooters and bearers of hand grenades; but under a galling direct and cross fire "the 24th regiment thrust their cotton bags before them and rushed to the crest of a little hill within fifty yards of the enemy's works, piled up their cotton bags, forming a tem- porary breastwork, and held it; and of the regi- ments that advanced across the plateau in the morn- ing the 24th was the only one able to maintain its position." The construction of this light breast- work was the means of saving the lives of many of the retreating soldiers of the advance regiments, who found shelter behind its line. Seven men of the 24th were killed and several wounded. "Under the cover of darkness an earthwork was thrown up. So quietly was it done than Gen. Grover thought the Rebels had erected a new redoubt, and ordered a battery to shell it out, but fortunately the mis- take was discovered." This line, which was a val- uable strategic point for further operations, and from which a zig-zag approach was dug close up to the enemy's ditch, and a mine forty-two feet

yough yatrous

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long tunneled under the enemy's works, was held by the regiment until the surrender, July 8, a period of twenty-five days. This service was very severe upon the men, who lived in burrows and were ex- posed to the broiling heat of a Louisiana midsum- mer sun, and so few in numbers (less than 100 men, on account of casualties and sickness) that one-half of the regiment was on duty each twenty-four hours, and was constantly under fire. "After the sur- render the 24th was complimented by the Ist Mis- sissippi Confederate Regiment for its coolness and perseverance," also by Gen. Banks, who ordered Port Hudson inscribed upon its colors. The regi- ment was mustered out Oct. 2, 1863, young Watrous with the rank of lieutenant.

In 1865, while Lieut. Watrous was in the em- ploy of William Rogers, at Hartford, that gentle- man organized the William Rogers Manufacturing Co., at the corner of Front and Grove streets, and in 1868 the Lieutenant was transferred to Water- bury and placed in charge of Rogers Brothers' plat- ing department. In 1870 he returned to Hartford, and, in company with his uncle, Asa H. Rogers, founded the Rogers Cutlery Co., on Asylum street, commencing with two employes only. Soon after- ward Mr. Rogers withdrew, and the business was removed to the rear of the Fourth church, on North street. In 1879 Mr. Watrous purchased one-half the stock of the William Rogers Manufacturing Co., and moved the stock of the Rogers Cutlery Co. into their factory, at the corner of Front and Grove streets, and Mr. Watrous became president, treasurer and general manager of the two com- panies, which positions he still retains.

In 1887 Mr. Watrous purchased the Kohn silk mill property, on Market street, and transferred the Rogers companies to their present quarters. They now employ 150 hands, and sell goods valued at over $600,000 per annum. In 1889 Mr. Watrous made a contract with the proprietors of a factory in Taunton, Mass., to manufacture hollow-ware, and now over 100 hands are kept busy making blanks for the Rogers companies. In 1890 he bought the Wickersham property, in Norwich, Conn., and began the manufacture of solid steel-handle knives, carvers, fruit-knives, etc., and in this industry over 100 hands are employed, who turn out 2,000 dozen of the various articles cach week.

In 1896 the Eagle Sterling Co., of Glastonbury, Conn., was formed, for the making of pure silver ware, and Mr. Watrous was made its president. The same year the Watrous Manufacturing Co., of Wallingford, was organized, for the making of nickel-silver spoons and forks, and of this com- pany Mr. Watrous is also president. On Nov. 19, 1898, the various companies in which Mr. Watrous is interested entered into an agreement with and be- came part of the International Silver Co., which was incorporated at that time with a capital of $20,000,000. This company includes sixteen of the largest silver-plate concerns in the country. and its

output is valued far into the millions. Mr. Watrous was elected a director of this, and manager of its Hartford branch.

In the summer of 1899, one of the companies in which Mr. Watrous was interested having had some slight difficulty in obtaining the finest class of casting for its product, he, together with other representative business men of Hartford, including Mr. Carleton, who was for many years connected with the Pratt & Whitney Co., founded what is known as the Carleton Iron Foundry, and erected a new building for the finest grade of iron casting. This concern employs about 100 men, and is in a flourishing condition. He is also interested in the Des Jardins type justifying machine, and is a di- rector in the Connecticut River Banking Co.

The various extensive business concerns in which Mr. Watrous holds so controlling an interest, as will have readily been seen, employ several hun- dred hands or assistants, and their sales are in excess of a million dollars per annum. The secret of the unvarying success of these vast industries rests in the strict business integrity of Mr. Watrous, the unvarying quality of his products, his practical me- chanical knowledge, his daily personal supervision of every detail of manufacture, the placing on the market of a better quality of goods than those of his competitors for the same money, and the esteem he has won from his employes through the solicita- tion he has for their welfare, and who, many of them, have been constantly in his employ for years.

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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 75

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