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 83

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 83

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FRANK M. JOHNSON, artistic photographer, No. 1039 Main street, Hartford, and a highly es- teemed citizen, comes of an old and prominent Con- necticut family of English descent. He is a great- grandson of Isaac Johnson, who married Audrey Latham, whose descent was from the Hon. Lewis Latham ( falconer to his Majesty King Charles I), born 1555, and died 1655. The Earl of Latham was a descendant of the same ancestor, as was also Sir Thomas Latham, whose daughter and heiress mar- ried Sir John Stanley, from whom are descended the Stanleys, Earls of Derby. The late Judge Elisha Johnson, at one time practicing law in Hartford, was a great-uncle of the subject of this sketch.

Frank M. Johnson is a native of Connecticut, born Nov. 2, 1872, in New Haven, a son of Correll WV. and Eliza S. (Shepard) Johnson, the former a native of Winsted, Conn., and the latter a daughter of Noah Shepard, whose grandfather, John Shepard, came from England, and was in his day a promi- nent resident of Portland, Conn., where he died. To Mr. and Mrs. Correll W. Johnson were born six children, four of whom are vet living. When Frank M. was five years old the family removed to Hartford, and there, with the exception of a short sojourn near Boston, Mass., he has since made his home. His education was received at the Hart- ford public schools, supplemented by a course at Hannum & Steadman's (now Morse's) Business College, where he was graduated as a bookkeeper in 1890. When twelve years old he began work in the photograph gallery of Hart J. Rodgers, in Hart- ford, in order to learn the business, and continued there, in various capacities, some ten years. Hav- ing a natural taste for the photographic art, he de- voted himself earnestly to making himself proficient in all the details, and soon became master of the entire business. In 1895 he severed his connection with Mr. Rodgers, to accept the position of man- ager of a large art studio at Milford, (a suburb of Boston), Mass., and there he had entire control for some six months, at the end of which time, having received flattering offers from a couple of galleries in Hartford, he was induced to return to that city.

In 1895 Mr. Johnson formed a partnership with his old preceptor in the art, Mr. Rodgers, under the firm name of Rodgers & Jolinson, which con- tinued about eighteen months, when, in the spring of 1898, he bought out his partner's interests, taking entire charge of the business. It has since been known as the F. M. Johnson Studio, and all kinds of skillful and modern photographic work are done. Mr. Johnson keeps fully abreast of the times, and in

rank of Someone

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his show case may always be found specimens of artistic work excelled by no other gallery in the city.

Mr. Johnson is a member of the New England Photographers Association. He is prominently identified with the Fourth Congregational Church, and for the past six years has been a teacher in the Sunday-school at Warburton Chapel, on Temple street, while for seven or eight years he has been a member and active in the Young Men's Christian Association. Being a single man, his home on Pliny street, which he purchased in March, 1900, is cared for by his mother.

WILLAM PORTER. The Porter family is of English origin, and has a coat of arms, which is thus described : Sable, three church bells, argent ; canton, ermine. Motto, Vigilantia et Virtus.

The line of descent is traced from William de la Port, a Roman knight who went to England with William the Conqueror, and is as follows: (II) Ralph de la Port. (III) Robert de la Port. (IV) Hugh de la Port married a daughter of William Russell. (V) John Porter, of Markham, England, married a daughter if Mr. Gardiner, of Bishops Norton, Lincolnshire, England. (VI) John Porter. (VII) Augustine Porter, of Belton. (VIII) John Porter. (1X) William Porter, of Wryhall. (X) John Porter, the founder of the family in this coun- try, was born in 1590, and came to New England in 1633 with his wife Rose, and about 1635 settled at Windsor, Conn., becoming one of the founders of the place. (XI) Samuel Porter, born in Eng-

land in 1626. (XII) Samuel Porter, born in 1660. (XIII) Eleazer Porter. (XIV) Eleazer Porter, born in 1728. (XV) William Porter, born in 1763, a merchant, farmer and physician, died in Hadley, Mass., about 1848. Ile married (first) Lois East- man and (second) Charlotte Williams, and by his first marriage had two sons, John and William. (XVI) William Porter was born in Hadley, Mass., Nov. 14, 1792, and was graduated from Williams College in 1813. He became a leading attorney of Lee, Mass., and was prominent in public life, serv- ing in both Houses of the State Legislature. He died in Lee Feb. 1I, 1853, and his wife, Mary Ann Quincy, died Dec. 2, 1835. They had four chil- dren : William, who has been a professor in Beloit College, Beloit, Wis., for nearly fifty years; Sam- uel Quincy, a resident of Unionville, Conn .; Char- lotte, who died aged thirteen years; and Mary Weld, widow of Franklin Chamberlain, sketch of whom follows.

William Porter was born in Lee, Mass., Jan. IO, 1820, and prepared for college in his native town. In 1839, at the age of nineteen, he graduated from Williams College, and being in delicate health was sent on a sailing-vessel to Florida, where he remained seven years. He studied theology at the Union Theological Seminary, in New York, and in 1854 went West to take the position of professor of

Latin in Beloit College, Beloit, Wis., which he has. since held. On July 13, 1854, he married Ellen Gertrude, youngest daughter of Laertes Chapin, of Hartford, Conn., a sister of President Aaron L. Chapin, of Beloit College. They have children as follows: (1) William, Jr., is mentioned below. (2) Frank Chamberlin, a professor in Yale University, married Delia Lyman, and has two sons, Lyman and William Quincy. (3) James died in .infancy. (4) Mary Quincy resides in Beloit, Wis- consin.

WILLIAM PORTER, JR., M. D., spent his early school days at Beloit, Wis., and for three years was connected with the paper-mill business at Dalton, Mass. On graduating from the Chicago Medical College, in 1882, he spent two years in study in Paris and Vienna. In 1884 he began practice in Hartford, Conn. He is a member of the State. County and City Medical Societies, and visiting physician at the Hartford Hospital. Dr. Porter married Mrs. Fannie Pease Hall, and they have one daughter, Margaret Chapin Porter.

CHAPIN. Ellen Gertrude Chapin, wife of Will- iam l'orter, Sr., and mother of Dr. William Porter, Jr., of Hartford, and Prof. Frank C. Porter, of Yale University, New Haven, was born March 15, 1831, in Hartford, Conn., the youngest of ten children. She was a descendant in the seventh generation of Deacon Samuel Chapin, who settled at Springfield, Mass., with his family in 1642, and on Oct. 10, 1652, was appointed one of the magistrates of that town. He was a useful and highly esteemed citi- zen. He died Nov. 11, 1675, and his wife, Cecily, passed away Feb. 8, 1683.

(11) Jepheth Chapin, born in 1642, was at the great fight at Turner's Falls May 18, 1676. On July 22, 1664, he married Abilenah Cooley, who died Nov. 17, 1710, and on May 31, 17II, he wedded Dorothy Root, of Enfield, Conn. He died Feb. 30, 1712.

. (III) Deacon David Chapin was born Nov. 16, 1682, and died July 8, 1772. On Nov. 12, 1705, he married Sarah Stebbins, daughter of Joseph Steb- bins. She died Feb. 6, 1726. His second wife, Mindwell Holton, died Oct. 21, 1758. He was first clerk of Chicopee parish, and one of the first deacons in that parish.

(IV) Deacon Edward Chapin, born Feb. 16. 1724, married July 6, 1752, Eunice, daughter of William and Mary Colton, of Longmeadow. He died Jan. 6, 1800.

(V) Aaron Chapin was born April 20, 1753, and died Dec. 25, 1838. On Sept. II, 1777, he mar- ried Mary, daughter of Zebulon King, of East Wind- sor, Conn., and his death occurred Feb. 21, 1829. He was a deacon of the First Congregational Church in Hartford, Conn. In early life he followed the occupation of a cabinet maker, but in later years was a watch repairer and cleaner.

(VI) Laertes Chapin, father of Mrs. William Porter, Sr., was born Aug. 21, 1778, in Hartford,

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Conn., and died Oct. 30. 1847. On Nov. 12, 1809, he was married to Susanna Merrick, daughter of Gad Merrick, of Franklin, N. Y. She died Sept. 9, 1811, and he then married, on - -, 18 -- , Laura Colton, of Hartford, Conn. She died Sept. 18, 1854. He followed the occupation of cabinet mak- ing, and resided in Hartford until within two years of his death, when he removed to East Hartford, Conn. He was an honest, industrious man, and a faithful, consistent Christian.

FRANKLIN CHAMBERLIN ( deceased ) was one of the most prominent lawyers of Hartford, where he died Sept. 10, 1896, at the age of seventy-five years. He was born April 14, 1821, in Dalton, Berkshire Co., Mass., son of Joseph and Catherine ( Holden) Chamberlin. In the county of his nativity he had the advantages of the best schools of that day, and was ready to enter college as a Sophomore when he was sixteen years old, but owing to the moderate circumstances of his parents he abandoned the hope of a college course, and was for some years engaged in business and teaching. His mind and tastes were strongly inclined to law, and in 1842 he entered the office of the late William Porter, of Lee, Mass., as a student. In 1844 he was graduated from the Harvard Law School, was admitted to the Bar in Massachusetts in 1845, and was at once invited to a partnership with Mr. Porter, at Lee. From 1854 to 1860 he was in practice at Springfield, Mass. About 1860 he removed to Hartford, where he soon established himself in practice with Hon. Ezra Hall, the partnership continuing until the death of the former partner. In 1874 the firm was enlarged by the addition of Edward S. White, and later be- came Chamberlin, White & Mills. Hiram R. Mills is the successor of the firm. In 1865 Mr. Cham- berlin was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives.

On Sept. 3, 1845, Mr. Chamberlin was married to Mary Weld Porter, daughter of William and Mary Ann ( Quincy ) Porter.

FREDERICK BULKELEY EDWARDS, a well-known and popular druggist of Hartford, is a native of Connecticut, born Oct. 14, 1850, in Wethersfield, Hartford county.

Abel Edwards, his grandfather, was born in Middletown, Conn .. and became a cooper by trade. He inherited a large fortune from his father, Churchill Edwards, who was a resident of Middle- town, Conn .. and whose genealogy appears else- where. Abel Edwards married Betsey Marsh, daughter of Capt. John Marsh, of Rocky Hill, Hartford county.

Walter Edwards, father of Frederick B., was born in the town of Cromwell. Middlesex Co., Conn., whence at the age of fourteen years he removed to New Britain, and there served an ap- prenticeship at the joiner's trade. For twelve years he traveled throughout the Southern States, but the greater part of his business life was passed in

Hartford. After retiring from active life he spent the remainder of his days in the town of Wethers- field, dying there May 30, 1874, and his remains were interred in Cedar Hill cemetery.

In 1843 Walter Edwards was married, in We'h- ersfield, to Jane Bulkeley, daughter of Fredel and Nancy ( Riley) Bulkeley, the latter of whomll was a daughter of Capt. John Riley, who' com- manded a company during the Revolutionary war. To this union were born children as follows: Fan- nie, born in Springfield, Mass., died at the age of three years; Elizabeth, born in Hartford, married Edward M. Francis, and had two children, Evert M. and Bernice; Frederick Bulkeley, our subject, comes next ; and Frank, a farmer, died in the town of Cromwell, Middlesex county. The mother of this family died in Cromwell in 1891.

Frederick B. Edwards, the subject proper of these lines, received his earlier education at the schools in Wethersfield, later attending the Hart- ford Public High School, from which institution he graduated in 1867. At the age of seventeen years he began clerking for S. G. Moses & Co., later Stephen Goodrich & Co., druggists (1867-71), and for two years ( 1872-73) he was with Williams & House. On Nov. 1, 1873, he began business as druggist on Farmington avenue, Hartford, buying out the store of Williams & House, and has since continued an ever-increasing and prosperous busi- ness.

Mr. Edwards has been twice married, first time in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1882, to Nellie L. Dunbar Granger, a native of Suffield, Conn., who died three years after marriage. For his second wife he wedded. in Hartford, Conn., in 1886, Agnes Van Ness Mandeville, who descended from Holland- Dutch ancestry, of New Jersey. One child, Fred- erick B., Jr., was born to this union Sept. 30. 1887.

Mr. Edwards in social relationship is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution; of the F. & A. M., St. John's Lodge (since 1878) ; of the State Pharmaceutical Association and the American Pharmaceutical Association ; and at one time he was identified with the old Governor's Foot Guard. He is popular and well liked, and enjoys the esteem of a large circle of friends.

ELI GOODRICH (deceased) was a son of Goushay Goodrich, who was born in Rocky Hill July 21, 1775, and died Apil 11. 1839. The latter married Mary Bulkley, who was born Feb. 28, 1777, and died Jan. 23, 1859, and they became the parents of seven children : Walter B., born May 19, 1802, died Aug. 3, 1869: Olive was born Nov. 4, 1803; George N., born Feb. 2. 1806, died May 16. 1833: Martha E., born in October. 1808, died April 30, 1851 ; Eli was fifth in the family; Jerusha, born April 21, 1814, died Nov. 3, 1873: and Solomon. born June 16, 1818. died Dec. 1. 1834.

Eli Goodrich was born upon his father's farm in Rocky Hill Feb. 2, 1811, and passed his early boy-

ELI GOODRICH

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hood there. While yet a mere lad he was appren- ticed to the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked for many years. Returning to the farm upon which he had been born, he began the life of a farmer, at the same time conducting a shoemaker's shop in connection therewith, and continued thus until 1873, when he gave up active business and removed to the home which he occupied at the time of his death, May 24, 1882, and where his widow still lives. He was a Republican in politics, and in re- ligious faith a Congregationalist, both himself and his wife being members of the church of that de- nomination at Rocky Hill.

Mr. Goodrich's success in life may be said to have been due entirely to his own unaided efforts. Obliged to work while a mere boy of tender years, he exhibited a determination, courage and perse- verance which characterized him through life. He was self-educated and wholly self-made, yet such was the force of character which he possessed that he not only surmounted the obstacles in his path, but gained the hearty respect of his neighbors and fellow townsmen.

Mr. Goodrich was married Oct. 9, 1839, to Miss Emeline E. Butler, daughter of William Sage Butler, of Rocky Hill, and to this marriage were born two children, the elder of whom, Mary B., is now Mrs. Walter Goodrich, of Philadelphia, and has two children, Clarence and Grace M. Susan is the widow of Daniel B. Lord, a Congregational min- ister, of West Hartford, who left five children, May B., Bertha E., Arthur G., Grace and Ruth V.

William S. Butler was one of a family of four children, Horace, Merritt, Anna and William S. The parents dying when they were quite young, they were reared by their grandmother Butler. William S. became a sea-faring man, following that mode of life for many years, and finally losing his lite by the sinking of a sailing-vessel, while on his passage to the West Indies. He married Mary Ed- wards, a native of Rocky Hill town, who bore her husband two children, Mrs. Goodrich being the elder ; William S. died in 1879. Mrs. Butler died April 6, 1893, at the extraordinary age of ninety- four years. Mrs. Goodrich herself is an octogena- rian,, having been born March 14, 1819, in Rocky Hill. She bears her years, however, lightly, and seems to have inherited the longevity which was so marked in the case of her mother.

GEORGE NEVERS, the efficient and popular clerk of the board of street commissioners of Hart- ford, was born Jan. 4, 1839, in Buffalo, N. Y., and is descended from an excellent family of New Eng- land stock.

Roderick Nevers, our subject's father, was born April 30, 1808, in Springfield, Mass., and was reared at Long Meadow, Mass., at the home of a farmer named Colton. He became a plate printer by trade, and when a young man went to Buffalo, but in 1842 he returned to Springfield, and later

settled in Hartford, this county, engaging in busi- ness on his own account. He formed a partnership, the firm being known as Case & Nevers, and con- tinued in business until 1884, first on State street, then on Central Row, and afterward in the Case, Lockwood & Brainard Co. building. As a busi- ness man and citizen he was highly respected, while for many years before his death, which occurred Aug. 17, 1888, he was a member of the Center Congregational Church. His wife, Melissa Sykes, who died Sept. 23, 1897, aged eighty-five years, was born in Hartford April 7, 1812, daughter of John and Lovisa Liswell Sykes. They had six children : Edward; George; Anna Melissa, who married Joel R. Holcomb; Sarah Jane ( deceased ), who married Edgar G. Whittlesey, of Hartford ;. Roderick, Jr .; and Ella, who died at the age of four years.

Our subject was educated in the schools of the South district of Hartford, and in the high school, where he attended two years. When nearly fifteen years old he entered a freight office at New Haven, as clerk, and a year later he took a similar posi- tion in the general freight office of the Hartford & New Haven railroad at Hartford. In 1864 he be- came a bookkeeper in the office of the Charter Oak Insurance Co., and in 1868 its secretary, remaining until 1872, the year after the Chicago fire, the com- pany being then dissolved. After spending a short time as clerk in the Atlas Insurance Co.'s office he was employed as chief clerk in the agency office of the Scottish Union and Lion Fire Insurance Cos. for some years, but in 1886 he was elected to his pres- ent position, as clerk of the board of street com- missioners, succeeding George Ellis. The duties of the office have nearly doubled during his term, requiring much ability in the organization of de- tails, and he is regarded as a most valuable man for the place. Politically he is a Democrat, but he takes no active part in the work of the party. He attends the Center Congregational Church, and is a member of various fraternal societies, including the F. & A. M., Hartford Lodge, No. 88, at Hart- ford ; Pythagoras Chapter ; Wolcott Council ; Wash- ington Commandery; Connecticut Sovereign Con- sistory, S. P. R. S., 32d degree ; and is a charter member of the Sphinx Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Hartford. He is also a member of Hartford Lodge, No. 19, B. P. O. E.

In 1865 Mr. Nevers married Miss Julia S. Hos- mer, daughter of John B. Hosmer, a well-known resident of Willimantic. She died April 24, 1897, leaving two children: Jessie I., who married Hu- bert D. Tracy, of Hartford, a bookkeeper in the office of the Ætna Life Insurance Co.'s office ; and Hattie H., wife of Elisha Hart Pember, of the same city, now employed as a hardware salesman.

JOHN ALLEN, one of the progressive and public-spirited citizens of Hartford, was born Feb. 6, 1831, in New York City, son of Joshua and

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Nancy ( Knox) Allen. He comes of good Scottish ancestry, his family having been prominent in the neighborhood of Londonderry, County Donegal, Irc- land, for several generations. Robert Allen, our subject's grandfather, was a leading citizen there, and carried on farming on an extensive scale, being one of the principal landholders of the district. His wife, Margaret Russell, who lived to the age of ninety-two years, is said to have been connected with the family of Lord John Russell.

Joshua Allen, father of our subject, was born in Ireland in 1787, and, as the eldest son, inherited the homestead under the law of primogeniture. After the death of his first wife, who left no chil- dren, he disposed of the estate, and in 1825 came to America, locating first in New York City, where he married Miss Nancy Knox. a descendant of John Knox, the reformer. Wishing to resume farming as an occupation, he came to Hartford in 1832 and rented a large farm on what is now known as Lord's Hill, and a year or two afterward bought a large farm in the southern part of the city, west of Washington street, a large part of which locality is now covered with residences. Mr. Allen gave close attention to business, and his mental and moral qualities commanded the respect of the com- munity. He held strong views on the subject of temperance, refusing to keep in his employ any one who used intoxicating liquors, and politically he was a stanch Republican. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian (Covenanter), and for many years a member of the Center Church of Hartford. He died in 1868, aged eighty-one years. His first wife, Margaret Scott, died a few months after their mar- riage. His second wife, Nancy Knox, died in 1868. They had five children: Samuel; John; Robert, who died when seven years of age: Mary, wife of John Hunter; and Nancy, who married in 1860 and died in 1895.

The Knox family is from Strabane, County Tyrone, Ireland, and of excellent stock. Samuel Knox, father of Mrs. Nancy (Knox) Allen, made his home with her, and lived to the advanced age of ninety-six years. He had two brothers who came to this country early in the century, and one settled in Tennessee, and it is believed founded the city of Knoxville. The other was named Will- iam. and it is probable that he was the Lieut. Will- iam Knox who is interred in the old cemetery in the rear of Center church.

During his boyhood our subject attended the common schools of Hartford, and at an early age he became associated with his father in business. As the city developed, and the farm became of value for building purposes, he opened up a num- ber of streets, and for some time his attention has been devoted to real estate. He was interested in having Trinity College removed from Bushnell Park, and gave $5,000 toward the building at the present location, near his home. His influence is a helpful factor in many enterprises. He has been

trustee of the Hartford Theological Seminary for over fifteen years; was chairman of the executive committee when the Case Memorial Library was built; and in 1896 was elected treasurer of the seminary. Politically he is a Republican, and he has served several years in the common council, also as police commissioner and water commis- sioner, and in other local offices. In religious con- nection he is a member of Center Church, and has held office as deacon and member of the society committee for some years.

In 1860 Mr. Allen married Miss Mary Bonner, daughter of Andrew Bonner, also of Scottish an- cestry, and they have had four children: Mary Bonner and Isabella Jane died in infancy. Joshua Wilson, born in 1864, was a graduate of Yale Col- lege, class of '88. In 1891 he married Lucy Mather Brace, daughter of Thomas K. Brace, of Hartford, and they had three children, Russell, Julia Brace and Franklin. He was elected trustee of the Hart- ford Theological Seminary in 1896, and was as- sistant treasurer of the institution at the time of his death, in 1897. Alice Margaret was married, in 1895, to I. K. Hamilton, Jr., a graduate of Trinity College, class of '94. formerly of Chicago, but now of Marinette, Wisconsin.

J. SCRUGHAM QUIN, familiarly known among his hosts of friends and acquaintances as "The Man with a Signature," and as "The Light- ning Ticket Seller." is one of the best known figures in Hartford, of which fair city he has been a resi- dent for upward of a third of a century, intimately associated with railway travel.

Mr. Quin is a native of New York City, born Oct. 24. 1838, a son of Dr. James M. Quin, a dis- tinguished physician, also of New York nativity, born in 1806, in a house on the corner of Barclay and Church streets. He was a student of Colum- bia College, from which he was graduated with all the honors, after a contest with some of the most brilliant minds of the day. He was afterward pro- fessor of Latin and Greek at the college, and was pronounced by the late Dr. Anthon as second only to himself in the knowledge of those languages. Subsequently he studied medicine with Dr. Hosack, but after practicing Allopathy for several years he became a convert to the doctrines of Hahnemann. The desire to thoroughly master the principles of Homeopathy led him to the study of German, and subsequently of the French language, in both of which he became singularly proficient. His career was closely associated with the development of one great science, Homeopathy, and of the kindred arts of music and painting.

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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 83

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