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 86

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 86

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In 1867 Mr. Jewell was married to Miss Julia W. Brown, daughter of Roswell Brown, of Hart- ford.

JUDGE ALBERT CARROLL BILL, Judge of the Police Court of Hartford, and member of the firm of Bill & Tuttle, whose elegant offices are located in the First National Bank building, State street, opposite the post office, was born in Hartford Sept. 29, 1863. His father, Charles C. Bill, was born in Chaplin, Windham Co., Conn., July 9, 1829. His grandfather, Roswell Bill, was also born in Chaplin, Conn. His great-grandfather, Capt. Ros- well Bill, served as a captain in the Revolutionary army. He was born in Groton, and spent his early life as a farmer in Chaplin, where he died Oct. 30, 1830, aged seventy-seven years. He married Re- becca Burgess, cousin of Gen. Putnam.

Roswell Bill, grandfather of our subject, was a school teacher in Chaplin and surrounding towns, was a man of prominence, holding the office of jus- tice of the peace, and taught school for thirty-two winters in succession. He died in Chaplin Oct. 17, 1866, at the age of sixty-seven years. He married Olive Ross, born in 1800, died June 13, 1870, and they had seven sons and two daughters, all but one of whom grew up and came to Hartford, where they became well known and prominent people. The mother of these was a member of the Congre- gational Church.

Charles C. Bill, father of Judge Albert C., after receiving a common-school education, came to Hart- ford in 1847, and entered the employ of Roswell Blodgett. At twenty-one years of age he was taken into partnership, but after a few years he sold out his interest and, together with his two brothers, Francis P. and Edwin S., formed the present firm of Bill Brothers, in which he remained until 1860, when he established and conducted an omnibus route from South Green to the North cemetery. This he carried on for a few years, until his health became impaired, when he sold out and purchased a farm at Blue Hills, Hartford, which he con- ducted four years ; then going to New Britain, re- inained there six years, after which he removed to Enfield, Conn., where he remained until 1881. He then returned to Hartford, and again took an in- 'terest with his brothers in the trucking business, and here he continued until his deatlı, April 16, 1889. Although taking an active interest in the affairs of his day, he refused various political offices, though for a time he served as assessor for the town of Enfield. He married Julia A. Emerson, born in Enfield in 1835, a daughter of Simeon Emerson, who was born in Thompson, Conn., and was a farmer there, later removing to Enfield, where he married a daughter of Capt. Burbank. Mr. Emer-

376

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

son died at the age of seventy-seven, his wife in 1860. Mrs. Bill was one of nine children, four of whom are yet living: Mrs. David Robinson, of Windsor (a widow) : James H., in Enfield; and Harriet E., wife of Ethan Sykes. Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Bill had two children : Albert C. and Jen- nie L. The parents were attendants of the Pearl Street Church.

Judge Albert C. Bill was educated in the En- field and Hartford high schools, and studied law at Hartford with Hon. Charles H. Briscoe. He was admitted to the Bar at Hartford May 21, 1885; was clerk of the Probate Court from 1887 to 1889: clerk of the City Police Court of Hartford from 1889 to 1893; associate judge of the City Police Court from April, 1893, to April, 1895, and judge of the Police Court since April, 1895. From 1890 10 1892 he was councilman from the old Fourth ward of the same city. [The preceding is taken from the Civil and Judicial History of Connecti- cut.] The Judge has been connected with the Po- lice Court, as judge, associate judge, and clerk. longer than any of his predecessors, and since he first came on the Bench the number of cases has increased over five hundred per year. In the year 1899 he tried two thousand cases. The firm of Bill & Tuttle was organized in 1893 for the transaction of general law business. Their office is located in one of the finest blocks in the city, and they occupy six rooms.

Judge Bill is a Republican in politics. He was a member of the Republican town committee in 1892-93. also chairman of the Republican commit- tee of the old Fourth ward, and for several years took an active part in politics, but since going on the Bench, in 1893, he has kept entirely out of poli- tics. He has received three appointments to the Bench, and his present term expires in 1901.

On Oct. 29, 1889, Judge Albert C. Bill married Bessie M. Collins, who was born in South Windsor, Conn., a daughter of William A. and Nellie ( Phil- lips) Collins, the former of whom was a farmer of prominence. They had three children, two of whom are living: Mrs. Bill and Helena M. To Judge Bill and his wife have been born four chil- dren: Charles Carroll, Gladys Collins, Albert Sey- mour and Julia Emerson. The family attend the South Congregational Church.

Judge Bill is a member of LaFayette Lodge. F. & A. M .; Pythagoras Chapter, R. A. M. ; Wol- cott Council, R. & S. M .; and Washington Com- mandery, Knights Templar: also of Charter Oak Lodge. I. O. O. F. (trustee of this lodge at one time) ; Hartford Lodge. B. P. O. E. : Wadsworth Lodge, A. O. U. W .; and of the Hartford County Bar Association. The Judge has also a grand mili- itary record. On Dec. 1, 1884, he enlisted in the Ist Company, Governor's Foot Guard, was shortly afterward appointed corporal. from which he was appointed fourth sergeant, and then in 1891 elected to ensign in the company. On July 31, 1891, he

was appointed adjutant upon the staff of Major E. H. Hyde; elected from the rank of ensign to that of third lieutenant of the company, Nov. 27, 1891, also holding the position of adjutant. On May 18, 1893, he was promoted from third lieutenant to second lieutenant ; on Nov. 23, 1896, he resigned this position, and Aug. 13, 1897, he was, by request, placed upon the retired list, where he still remains as a retired officer. He was awarded the "Eleven Year Service Medal," and also the prize drill bar of this organization. On Oct. 25, 1897, he enlisted in Company F, Ist Regiment, Connecticut National Guard, known as the "Hartford City Guard," and on April 16, 1898, he was appointed commissary sergeant on the non-commissioned staff of Col. Bur- dette. On May 4, 1898, he was, by his own request, transferred back to the city guard, and on May 15. 1899, was appointed quartermaster-sergeant by Col. Burdette, on the non-commissioned staff. Here he remained until June 23, 1899, when he was ap- pointed paymaster, with the rank of first lieutenant, on the staff of Col. Edward Schulze (Col. Burdette having resigned), commanding Ist Regiment, Con- necticut National Guard. On July 22, 1899, he was promoted from paymaster to quartermaster, on the staff of Col. Schulze, with the same rank, which position he still holds.

HON. ELISHA MORTON GRANGER, the present representative from the town of East Wind- sor in the State Legislature, is a man whose career shows unusual ability and sagacity, not only in busi- ness lines but in public affairs, and in addition to being a successful agriculturist and one of the largest cattle dealers in the State he is a recognized leader in the Republican organization in his locality.

Mr. Granger was born April 9. 1856, in the vil- lage of East Windsor, where his family have been prominent for many years. Francis H. Granger, his father, was a native of East Windsor, and made his home there, his death occurring in 1868. He married Miss Elizabeth E. Morton, and they had nine children, of whom two died in infancy. Of the others, Frank E. died in 1874: Elisha M., our sub- ject, was second in the order of birth : H. D. resides in East Hartford ; George G. died in 1893: William E. conducts a meat market in Broad Brook: Mary E. married Francis Pierce, of South Windsor : and Miss Mabel E. resides at Wapping. Connecticut.

As our subject was only twelve years old when his father died he began to realize the responsibili- ties of life earlier than most boys. He remained with his widowed mother at the old Morton home- stead until he reached the age of twenty-one, when he went to Junction City, Kans .. and engaged in business as a cattle dealer, making purchases in dif- ferent parts of Texas, Colorado and Kansas, and shipping herds to the Eastern markets. After seven years he returned home, and became interested in the meat business at Broad Brook in partnership with his brother, William E., the firm dealing also

377

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in cattle to some extent. In 1894 he sold his inter- est to his brother, and devoted his attention to deal- ing in horses and cattle, which he still continues. In 1896 he bought the Jabez Allen farm, of 100 acres, located on Melrose street, two miles north of Broad Brook; soon afterward he added the Luman Allen farm, of 160 acres, where he has since resided, and later the Seth Allen place, containing 125 acres. These tracts adjoin his homestead, and he now has one of the largest and most valuable estates in the town. His farm is the headquarters for his cattle business, from 150 to 200 head leing kept there all the time, and he is also engaged in general farming and tobacco growing. As an ardent Republican he is active in local politics, and in 1892 he was elected first selectman of East Windsor, his colleagues being Henry W. Allen and George A. Ellis ; he has since served a second term with Frank Thompson and George A. Ellis, and a third term with Mr. Ellis and Henry W. Allen. His able services con- firmed the confidence of his fellow citizens in his fidelity to the public welfare, and in 1898 he was chosen to the Legislature.

On Nov. 5, 1890, Mr. Granger married Miss Susan Vining, daughter of Mortimer J. Vining, a well-known citizen of East Windsor, and they have two children, Dorothy and Elisha M., Jr.

ROSWELL BLODGETT, of Hartford, is de- scended from (I) Thomas Blodgett, of Cambridge, England, who came from London in the good ship "Increase," in 1635, with his wife Susanna, aged thirty-seven, and their two children: Daniel, aged four, and Samuel, aged one and one-half years. Thomas was made a freeman March 3, 1636, in or near Boston.

(II) Samuel Blodgett was in Woburn in 1664. (III) Thomas Blodgett, of Woburn, was a son of Samuel.

(IV) Benoni Blodgett, son of Thomas, came to Windsor from Woburn. He was born in 1694, and .died Feb. 4, 1773. He married Abigail Booth.

(V) Josiah Blodgett, son of Benoni, was born in 1724, and died April 25, 1768. On Jan. 15, 1746, he married Abigail Rood, who was born in 1720, and died June 16, 1776.

(VI) Roswell Blodgett, son of the above, was born in Windsor Oct. 8, 1749, and died May 28, 1781. He married April 25, 1770, Hannah Bart- lett, who was born Nov. 18, 1746, and died Jau. 19, 1813.

(VII) Joseph B. Blodgett, son of Roswell, was born in Windsor Dec. 3, 1780, and died Dec. 27, 1827. He married Dec. 31, 1801, Rhoda Loomis, who was born in Windsor Dec. 16, 1769, and died Oct. 29, 1844. Joseph B. Blodgett was a farmer in Tolland county, and also kept a hotel.

(III) Roswell Blodgett, subject of this biog- raphy, son of Joseph B., was born in East Windsor March 29, 1807, one of a family of six children, all now deceased. He was reared on a farm in Windsor,

and worked for a time at stone cutting in Bolton, after which he learned the brick making trade at Glastonbury. From there, at the age of twenty-two years, he removed to Hartford, where he embarked in the trucking business, for several years, being at the head of the transportation line between Hartford and New Haven, the business of which at that time was all done by teams. In this he continued until his retirement from active life. He was financially in- interested in the iron business of Blodgett & Clapp, besides in other enterprises ; was a director of the American National Bank, of the Charter Oak Life Insurance Co., and of the Pratt & Whitney Co. In politics he was a Republican, and he served in various local offices of honor and trust, such as assessor of taxes, in the common council, on the central school committee, and as a member of No. 5 Engine Company. In religious faith he was a Universalist.

On Nov. 26, 1835, Roswell Blodgett married Frances Church, who was born in Hartford, a daughter of James Church, a rope maker, who was a son of Caleb, and a descendant of Richard Church, one of the first settlers of Hartford; they were farmers, owning land in or near the old Pavilion grounds. Mr. and Mrs. Blodgett had seven chil- dren, only three of whom are living: Mrs. Francis ; Jane Frances, wife of Milton Santee, of Los An- geles, Cal. ; and Roswell F., who is secretary of the Pratt & Whitney Co. Mrs. Frances (Church) Blodgett was tenth in the order of birth in a family of fourteen children, of whom are still livng Abner (at the home of a daughter) and Mrs. Stillman Niles, both of Hartford.

JAMES ULYSSES TAINTOR, formerly sec- retary of the Orient Insurance Co. of Hartford, is in the eighth generation from Capt. Charles Taintor. the founder of the family in this country, the line of his descent being through Micael, Micaiell, Micael, Capt. Charles, Capt. Newhall and Ralph S. Taintor. The Taintor family is of Welsh origin. and the Lord family, with which Mr. Taintor is connected maternally, is of Scottish extraction. Both families are of Pilgrim, rather than Puritan, tendencies.

(I) Charles Taintor was in Fairfield, Conn., in 1643; also son Micael, and daughter. His wife's name is unknown.

(II) Micael Taintor, an carly settler of Bran- ford, Conn., was made a freeman in 1668; he was a leader in his community, and was frequently chosen to positions of honor and trust. His wife's name was Elizabeth, but her family name is un- known.

(III) Micaiell Taintor, son of Micael, born in October, 1652, in Branford, married (first) April 3, 1679, Mary, daughter of Thomas and Hannah Loomis, of Windsor, Conn. On Aug. 26, 1697, he married (second) Mabel Olmstead, widow of Daniel Butler. Mr. Taintor was a member of the

378

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

General Assembly from Colchester twenty-six ses- sions, and town clerk from its settlement until his death, in 1730. He was formerly of Branford, then of Windsor, and became one of the first settlers of Colchester.

(IV) Micael Taintor, born Sept. 6, 1680, at Windsor, married in December, 1712, Eunice Foote, of Wethersfield. He died in 1771.

(V) Capt. Charles Taintor, son of Micael, born in February, 1722-23, married in August, 1766, Mary Skinner, daughter of Rev. Thomas Skinner, of Westchester. He died in 1807 and she in 1822. He and his son, Capt. Newhall, were strong, in- fluential and honored citizens in the communities in which they lived, were leaders in public life, and frequently chosen to positions of honor, influence and trust.

(VI) Capt. Newhall Taintor, son of Capt. Charles, born in July, 1782, at Colchester, Conn., married in January, 1809, Ruth Smith, of Middle Haddam, Conn. She was a descendant of Rev. Ralph Smith, who in Colonial history is mentioned as having preached before Gov. Winthrop and Gov. Bradford on the occasion of an important confer- ence between notable representatives of the Massa- chusetts and Plymouth Colonies.

(VII) Ralph Smith Taintor was born Nov. 16, ISII, in Colchester, Conn. In June, 1834. he was married to Phobe Higgins Lord, of Lyme, Conn., a descendant of Thomas Lord, who was one of the original proprietors of Hartford, and from whose family the section of the city familiarly known as "Lord's Hill" received its name. To this marriage were born children as follows: Joseph Lord, born Sept. 21, 1835, was graduated from Yale in 1860; he married in 1862 Isabella Comstock, of Avon, N. Y. Ralph Smith, born Sept. 25, 1837, married Sept. 3, 1862, Isabella Bryan, of Avon. N. Y. Phobe Lord, born in June, 1839. married March 5, 1862, Edward L. Gates, of Colchester, Conn. Charles Newhall, born Nov. 28, 1840, was graduated from Yale in 1865; he married April 23, 1872, Georgiana S. Holden, of New York City. James U. is the subject of this sketch. Edward Michael, born Aug. 17, 1846, married Aug. 26, 1868, Anna Belle Mckinstry, of New London, Conn. Judah Lord was born May 30, 1848. Ruth Smith, born May 8, 1850, married Nov. 16, 1872, E. Wolcott Welles, of Wethersfield, Conn. Mr. Taintor was a member of the State Senate in 1857. He died Oct. 22, 1892.

James Ulysses Taintor, son of Ralph Smith Taintor, was born Oct. 23, 1844, in the town of Pomfret, Conn. In his fourth year his father's family moved to Colchester, Conn., where his boy- hood was passed. He attended the neighborhood district school, and later was prepared for college at Bacon Academy, Colchester. Entering Yale College in the fall of 1862, he was graduated in the class of '66. In the summer of 1865, the year prior to his graduation, he had the unique honor for a school

boy of having been elected and serving as assistant clerk of the Connecticut House of Representatives. Young Taintor was clerk of the House the follow- ing year, and in 1868 he served as clerk of the Senate. For a period in 1869 he was interested in a. fire insurance agency in Meriden, Conn., and in July of the same year he became adjuster of losses for the Phoenix Insurance Co. of Hartford, con- tinuing in that position until the autumn of 1881, at which time he was called to the home office of that company, in the service of which he remained until June, 1888. At that date he was made sec- retary of the Orient Insurance Co., and continued to sustain such relations with the company until its ownership changed, July 1, 1900.

Mr. Taintor is an earnest Republican in his political affiliations, and at times he has taken an ac- tive part in the affairs of the party. He was a member of the City Street Commission from 1888 to 1894.

On Sept. 16, 1868, Mr. Taintor was married to Catherine A., daughter of Rev. John V. and _Au- gusta MI. Ballard, of Colchester, Conn. She di d Sept. 5, 1875. On Oct. 23, 1878, he married Isa- belle Spencer, of Hartford, Conn. His two children are: James Spencer and Nelson Case. Mr. Taintor has been a member of the Masonic Fraternity since 1866. He is also a member of the Sons of Amer- ican Revolution, and of the Hartford and Republi- can Clubs. Since 1869 he has resided at Hartford.

HORACE SPENCER (deceased), was one of the most respected citizens of West Suffield, and by his upright, honorable life maintained well the rep- utation of a family which has long been held in high esteem in this section.

MIr. Spencer's ancestors settled in New England at an early day, and Thomas Spencer, our subject's grandfather, was a lifelong resident of Haddam, Conn. Lancen Spencer, our subject's father, was a native of Haddam, Conn., but came to this country in carly manhood, locating in the town of Suffield, near Risings Corners, where he acquired a large tract of land. By occupation he was a farmer, and he also followed the wheelwright's trade for many years. His honesty and good judgment made hin respected in the community, and he was chosen to represent his town in the State Legislature. In pol- itics he was a stanch Democrat. His wife, Cynthia Rising, was a native of West Suffic.u, and a daughter of Joel and Ruth Rising, well-known residents of that locality. Three children brightened his home: Gelson ; Horace; and Caroline M., who married Thomas Warner.

Our subject was mainly self-educated, having attended district school only in his youth, and his intelligence was seen in his excellent understanding of the general current events of the day. He was reared to farm work, and after his mother's death he and his brother Gelson operated the homestead in partnership for a number of years. Gelson died

HORACE SPENCER

379

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

unmarried, and our subject continued the manage- ment of the estate alone, following general farming, and giving especial attention to dairying and tobacco culture. From time to time he made substantial improvements, so that it is now a valuable and at- tractive farm, and at his death in 1898, he left it to his sister, Mrs. Warner. In religious views he was liberal. and his temperate habits and strictly hon- orable business methods made him a model citizen. He was married in Southwick, Mass., to Miss Jane Granger, a native of that town, and a woman of de- vout Christian faith and life. She died some years before him, and their remains now rest in a ceme- tery in West Suffield.

THOMAS WARNER (deceased) was for many years a leading citizen of Rocky Hill, and the following brief account of his life and family will be of general interest. His father, John Warner, was a prominent agriculturist of the town, and his family is one of the oldest in that vicinity. Born and reared on a farm, Thomas Warner devoted his attention to agricultural work, and his fine farm in Rocky Hill, near the Wethersfield line, was kept in an ex- cellent state of cultivation under his management. Politically he was a Democrat, but he did not seek office. His death occurred in 1880, and his remains were interred in Rocky Hill cemetery. In 1859 he married Miss Caroline M. Spencer, who survives him, and still resides at the homestead in Rocky Hill. She is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is much esteemed for her fine mental ability and womanly qualities of char- acter. Of their five children (I) Charles G., who operates the Spencer homestead in West Suffield, married a Miss Harman, of Warnertown, West Suf- field; (2) Jolin A., a resident of Feeding Hills, Mass., married a Miss Hedges; (3) Frank C. is a farmer in Rocky Hill; (4) William, who conducts the homestead in Rocky Hill, married Miss Julia Downs (their children are Albert Francis and Thomas) ; (5) George L., a resident of Southwick, Mass., married a Miss Dibble, of that town.

CHARLES A. RENNACKER, one of the en- terprising and successful merchants of Hartford, though yet a young man has taken high rank in the clothing and furnishing business of the city. In six years' time, by new and sound business prin- ciples, he has built up one of the most prosperous clothing concerns in the State, and his store, on the southwest corner of Asylum and Trumbull streets, is known as one of strictly honorable and reliable dealing.

Mr. Rennacker was born in Chicago, Ill., in 1864, and at the early age of twelve years was obliged to commence work, his education being mainly obtained in the hard school of business ex- perience. For a time he was an employe of Will- oughby, Hill & Co., the clothiers in Chicago who originated the "one-price square dealing" motto, by which their great business was built up, and here

Mr. Rennacker got an insight into business possi- bilities that proved an inspiration. Later he be- came a buyer for the Putnam clothing house, also of Chicago, making frequent trips to Boston, New York and other Eastern cities, and making many acquaintances there. Liking the East, and stop- ping at Hartford on one of his trips, he became in- terested in "The Hub Clothing Store," and made an offer for a part interest, which was accepted. This was the origin of the firm of Rennacker & Co., of whch Miner, Beal & Co., of Boston, were silent partners. Six years ago our subject removed from Chicago to Hartford, and has been a resident of that flourishing city ever since. In July, 1899, Mr. Rennacker purchased the interest of his partners, becoming sole proprietor, and he has succeeded in gaining and maintaining the good-will of the gen- cral public. In fact, he has been remarkably suc- cessful, and the future doubtless contains much greater successes for him-as square dealing brings its own reward.

Mr. Rennacker is a man of genial spirit and friendly ways, possessed of a generous heart and kind impulses; his clerks are his friends, and ex- cursions, holiday and athletic tourneys have been much encouraged by him. He organized and main- tained a base-ball nine, whose games will long be remembered, in which connection it must not be for- gotten that he was also one of the foremost in advo- cating the welcome summer half-holidays. In a word, Mr. Rennacker is ever ready to assist in any enter- prise that will benefit the people of his adopted city. The push of the Western business man's methods, seasoned with the sound conservatism of the East- together they form a combination against which no incorporation, however strong, can hope to win.

On August 1I, 1887, Mr. Rennacker was mar- ried to Minnie B., daughter of James H. and Fanny Joslyn, of Kenosha, Wis., and they have three chil- dren: Mabel J., born July 8, 1888; Clarence A., born Jan. 7, 1892; and H. Everett, born July 2, 1897.

Fraternally Mr. Rennacker is a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 4, A. F. & A. M. ; Pythagoras Chapter, No. 17, R. A. M .; Wolcott Council, No. I, R. & S. M .; Washington Commandery, No. I, Knights Templar; and Sphinx Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. ; he is also a charter member of Sum- mit Lodge, I. O. O. F .; member of B. H. Webb Council, No. 702, Royal Arcanum ; of the Knights of Pythias, having been a charter member of Cutler Lodge, K. P .; of Chicago Council, National Union ; and of the Hartford Yacht Club.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 86

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