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 92

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 92

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On Sept. 28, 1864, Mr. Kent married Miss Stella A. Lincoln, of Washington, D. C., daughter of Con- gressman W. S. Lincoln, of Newark Valley, N. Y., and two children were born to them : Helen Lincoln, Jan. 30, 1867, now the wife of Dr. A. F. Morris, of New York; and Stella Alberta, Oct. 8, 1869, now the wife of Hugh S. LeGare, of Washington, D. C.

It was as a keen and far-sighted business man that Mr. Kent was best known to the world. His gentleness and kindness, the sympathy that he al- ways had for the unfortunate, are known only to the circle of his friends, for, with all the force of his mind and will, there never was a less ostentatious or more modest personality. Such is a brief sketch of one of the strong men of our country. No bare historical outline can present the qualities that en- deared this rare gentleman to those who knew him well.

ALFRED C. J. WILLIAMS. In the fur trade of New England there are few if any names better known than that of Williams. For a quarter of a century it has been a prominent factor in the trade of Connecticut, and as now represented by the sub- ject of this sketch maintains past prestige and is widening the scope of its influence. The particular trade to which reference is here made was founded by Alfred Williams, the father of our subject. He was a skilled furrier and a successful business man.

George H. Williams, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a lifelong resident of London, England. He married Ann Cottrel, a native of London, and to them were born six children, all of whom are now deceased. The grandfather was a collector for

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Sir Henry Meux's brewery. Himself and wife were members of the Episcopal Church, and both lived to a good old age.

Alfred Williams, the father of our subject, spent his early years in London, his native city, and there learned the furrier's trade. He became an expert workman, and was for many years connected with the house of G. Smith & Son, one of the most prominent in the city of London and still engaged in business there. In 1857 he migrated to New York, where he secured a position with John Ruszits, a prominent furrier of that city. He re- mained with him until 1859, when he came to Hart- ford, accepting a position with Strong & Woodruff, the largest concern in the city. He was foreman of their fur department for sixteen years, with the exception of three years, when he was manager of the manufacturing department of Kingsbury, Ab- bott, Gay & Co., of New York. In 1875 he re- turned to Hartford and began business for himself at No. 345 Main street, where he established a manufactory, and for some years did the work of Elsworth Strong, C. R. Dix, R. G. Watrous, James Daniels, and Priest & Daniels. This work he con- tinued for a number of years, during which time he laid the foundation for a retail trade, and in 1890 he gave up the wholesale trade, devoting his entire attention to the retail business. In 1880 he moved to the present location, Nos. 99 to 101 Pratt street, a large three-story building, on the first floor of which are his large show rooms, where are kept the finest grades of goods. The storage department is on the second floor, the manufactory occupying the upper floor. The thorough manner in which Alfred Williams learned his trade, and his later experience with the large concerns, for whom he did enormous quantities of work, placed him in the first ranks of the men in his trade, and widened his repu- tation as an expert in fur trade. Probably no man in America was a better judge of skins, and of the proper methods of their treatment to bring them to the highest state of perfection. His knowledge in this respect was sought far and wide. His spe- cialty was in the manufacture of seal-skin garments, which were unsurpassed in quality. He was recog- nized among the leading business men of Hartford, where his active life was mainly spent, and where he died in 1891, at sixty-two years of age.

At the time of his death Mr. Williams was warden of Grace Episcopal Church, in Windsor, of which he had been a member for many years. during nearly all of which time he had held som official position. He was a member of St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 4; and of Magnolia Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Brooklyn, N. Y. He was also a men- ber of the Governor's Foot Guard for many years, and in all of these organizations he took an active interest. He was a Republican in politics, but in- variably declined office.

Alfred Williams married Martha A. Farley, who was born in London, the daughter of Joseph Far-

ley, a steel-plate polisher by trade, who also held the very responsible position of chief bell ringer of London, in which capacity he was famous. He died at the age of sixty years. To Alfred and Mar- tha A. Williams were born seven children, five of whom are living: Mrs. George H. Williams, of Windsor; Alfred C. J., our subject; Emily, who married Charles A. Gray; Annie, who married Frank W. Barber in Windsor; and Frances, who married Fred B. Bower, of Manchester, N. H. The mother died in Hartford at the age of thirty-six years. She was a member of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church. The father for his second wife married Emeline A. Tompkins, who was born in Litchfield, Conn. By this marriage there was one son, Harry B., who is now engaged in the insurance business in Hartford. The widow survives and retains an interest in the business founded by her husband.

Alfred C. J. Williams, our subject, was born in London, England, Dec. 9, 1855, and when an in- fant was brought by his parents to America. He spent his early years with his father, was educated in the common and grammar schools of New York and Hartford, learned the furrier's trade under the direction of his father, and although he had sev- eral flattering offers from other large houses, he preferred to remain with his father. In 1889 he entered the store as salesman, and shortly after was made a partner, the firm name changing to Alfred Williams & Son, under which it is still known. This partnership continued up to the time of the father's death, since which time our subject has managed the business alone. Alfred Williams & Son were the only exclusive furriers in Connecticut until re- cently. They employ the most competent workmen in the manufacturing of their goods. They carry a full line of fur goods, and their trade is not confined to Hartford, but reaches out to all adjoining cities and towns, in which they are well and favorably known. The firm is recognized as one that can be depended upon, so that any article purchased will be found as represented. The judgment of Mr. Will- iams, like that of his father, is the very best, and no customer regrets following it in the matter of quality of goods selected. The seal-skin trade established by Alfred Williams, has been continued by our subject, and the store is headquarters for that line of merchandise in all this part of Connecticut. He has ably sustained the enviable reputation estab- lished by his father. During the past quarter of a century they have exhibited their goods at vari- ous State fairs, and upon each and every occasion have taken the first prizes or medals offered for the best quality of goods in their line.

Mr. Williams married, in 1882, Millie K. Bond, a native of Hartford, the only child of Lafayette K. Bond, a cabinet maker in Hartford for many years. To our subject and wife has been born one son, Raymond S. Mr. Williams is a Republican in politics, but, like his father, declines all offices. He is a member of St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M., and

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has held all the offices. He is past master, and upon the expiration of his term of office, in 1889, he re- ceived a magnificent past master's jewel, as a mark of the respect and esteem in which he was held by his fellow officers and members of the lodge, and for the thoroughly competent manner in which he had discharged the duties of the office. He is also a member of Pythagoras Chapter, and of Wol- cott Council, No. I, of which he is at present thrice illustrious master, having filled also a number of other chairs. He is a member of Washington Com- mandery, No. I, and of the Scottish Rite bodies up to and including the thirty-second degree. He is a member of Connecticut Lodge, I. O. O. F., and of the Encampment, in both of which he has taken an active interest, and held a number of offices. Ile is also a member of the Royal Arcanum, the An- cient Order of United Workmen, and the Order of Heptasophs. For twenty-four years he was a mem- ber of the Governor's Foot Guard, and was fourth sergeant under Maj. Kinney, under whom he ob- tained his discharge in 1800. After leaving the Foot Guard he joined the veteran corps, and was elected captain, serving two years; he was then elected major, and served four years. During this time he was instrumental in having the corps adopt the present uniform, one of the handsomest of any veteran organization in the State. For six years he also served as treasurer.

Mr. Williams is a vocalist, and for nearly twenty years has been connected with the musical interests of Hartford. For seventeen years of this time he has sung in the Christ Church choir. He has also sung in a number of concerts, and has organized various quartets, which have appeared before the public on many occasions. He has also assisted musically in the various lodges with which he is connected. He plays a brass instrument in the Sphinx Temple Band, of which order he is a char- ter member. He is a member of the board of trus- tees of Connecticut Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is also a trustee of Wolcott Council. Himself and wife are members of Christ Episcopal Church.

THEODORE SHUBERT. an ex-soldier of the Civil war, and a greatly respected resident of Bris- tol, was born in Germany May 21, 1836, and is now a trusted employe of the E. Ingraham Clock Com- panv.

George Leonard Shubert, father of Theodore, was born Sept. 4. 1803. in Mainbernheim, and was a public-school teacher or over fifty years. On Aug. 21, 1830, he married Magdeline Eigelman, who was born Aug. 18. 1811, and died in Germany, in 1884, the mother of the following named chil- dren : Amelia F .. born July 31, 1831. is married to Andrew Winter, and is living in Waterbury. Conn. : Lizzie, born Jan. 8. 1833. is the wife of Michael Myers, of Wisconsin : Augusta, born in August, 1834, died in October, 1842; Theodore, our subject, 's next in the order of birth : Carl F. W., born Sept.

19, 1838, was a member of the "fighting" 16th Conn. V. I., and died in the Andersonville prison pen Sept. 29, 1864 ; Maria H., born Jan. 1, 1840, is the widow of Michael Kunzenmun, and is a resident of New York City: Ernestine, born April 8, 1841, is the widow of Frank Parhisius, and lives in Winona, Minn. : Eugenia, born in October, 1842, is married to Francis Kerber, and lives in Germany; Ernest L., born Oct. 31, 1843, married Babetta Ridder, and still remains in Germany; Emma, born in 1848, also lives in Germany; Daniel F., born Feb. 28, 1849, died March 31, 1850; and Rosalie, born April 10, 1852, is living in Lacrosse, Wis. The father of this family died May 22, 1869.

Lawrence Shubert, grandfather of Theodore, was born in 1740, and died in 1817. He was the leader of an orchastra of twelve or fifteen musicians, taught music in all its branches, and frequently played be- fore the King and at court balls. He was twice married, first to a Miss Tittle ; his second wife, who was our subject's grandmother, died in 1850, at the age of eighty-three years and eight months. Her children were George Leonard, mentioned above ; and Amelia, who was born in 1811, and died in 1889.

Theodore Shubert, our subject, was educated in Germany, studying the last three years in the Insti- tute of Technology, from which he graduated at the age of fourteen years, and then served an apprentice- ship of three years with a confectioner. Sailing from Hamburg on the ship "Diamond" he landed in New York June 23, 1853, and thence came immediately to Bristol. For three months he worked on the farm of Orrin Ives, then returned to New York and worked at his trade until March 1, 1854, when he came back to Bristol and worked in the press room of Noah Pomeroy's clock factory until his enlistment, Aug. 24, 1861. in Company A. 7th Conn. V. I., being the first man to enlist in that company at Hartford; at New Haven he was made a corporal. At the battle of James Island, June 16, 1862, Mr. Shubert lost his right eye, which was struck by a fragment of an exploding shell. He was mustered out in Decem- ber, 1862, and Jan. 24. 1864, enlisted as bugler in Company A, Ist Connecticut Cavalry. Near Eame's Station, Va .. July 29. 1854, a rifle ball passed through his right foot. . Among the battles in which he took a part were Hilton Head, Fort Pulaski, James Island, the Wilderness, Fredericksburg. Yel- low Tavern, Petersburg, Cold ITarbor and Stony Creek, but these are not recorded here in chronolog- ical order. He was mustered out May 27, 1865. at the general hospital in New Haven, where he had been taken for treatment of the wound in his foot.

After his honorable discharge and muster out from the service Mr. Shubert returned to Bristol, November 1, 1865. He was employed in the press room of the E. Ingraham clock factory for a few months, and then took a contract in the same depart- ment, which he still holds, employing seven men. The marriage of Mr. Shubert to Mary Ann Nich- las took place Oct. 30, 1858. She was born in Ger-

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many March 31. 1837, and died in Bristol Feb. 22, 1900, her remains being interred in the West ceme- tery. To their marriage were born nine children in the following order : George Leonard, born Aug. 28, 1859. died Dec. 13, 1877. Theodore, Jr., born July 21, 1861, married Ella Cleveland, of Harwinton, Dec. 25. 1885, and to this union was born one child, Elsie. Daniel F., born July 8, 1863, was married in October, 1886, to Emma Pohlman, of Burlington, who has borne him one daughter, Ethel. born Aug. I, 1890: Daniel F. is working with his father at the Ingraham clock factory. Amelia F., born Nov. 25. 1867, was married, May 20, 1891, to Peter Reiser, of New Haven, who is employed by R. J. Duffy, draper and tailor of Hartford ; no children have been born to this union. Irving E., born Feb. 10, 1870, is em- ployed with his father in the Ingraham factory ; he was married Jan. 1. 1895. to Lena Snyder, of Ter- ryville : to this marriage one child, Irving T., was born Sept. 2, 1896. Edward, born June 22, 1872, died Jan. 7. 1873. Hattie B., born Sept. 9. 1873. was married July 25. 1896, to Charles R. Good- enough, of Bristol, and is the mother of one child. Olive Pearl, born July 24, 1897. Ernest L., born Sept. 14, 1875. is bookkeeper for Charles P. Good- enough. George E., born Feb. 4, 1883, is employed with his father.

Mr. Shubert is a member of the Prospect M. E. Church, of which his wife was also a faithful mem- ber, and in the faith of which she passed away. He is also a member of the New England Order of Pro- tection No. 12, of Bristol, and of G. W. Thompson Post No. 13, G. A. R. In politics he is a very earnest Republican but has never sought office, al- though he is an unusually popular citizen.

EDWARD W. KELLOGG, M. D. The Kel- logg family has long been prominent in this State, and the subject of this biography, a leading phy- sician of Hartford, is a descendant in the seventh generation from Lieut. Joseph Kellogg, who served in King Philip's war, and was in command as lieutenant at the "Falls Fight." South Hadley Falls. Mass. His name first appears at Farmington in 1651, and in 1659 he removed to Boston, purchas- ing a home on Roxbury road, now Washington street. Later he removed to Hadley, Mass., and for some time was selectman of that town. He died about 1707, and his home in Hadley is now in a good state of preservation. On May 9, 1657, he married Abigail, daughter of Stephen Terry, of Windsor, Conn., and by her had twenty children, of whom Nathaniel was the twelfth.

(II) Nathaniel Kellogg, born Oct. 8, 1669, at Hadley. Mass., removed to Amherst in 1739. He died Oct. 30. 1750, aged eighty-one years. On June 28, 1602, he married Sarah, daughter of Sam- uel Boltwood, and they had nine children, of whom Ephraim was the eighth.

(III) Ephraim Kellogg, born Aug. 2, 1709. died March 16. 1777. In 1741 he was married to Dor-

othy, daughter of Samuel Hawley, of Amherst, and had six children, of whom Martin was the second.

(IV) Martin Kellogg, born in 1744, died in 1827. He married Hannah, daughter of Zacheus Crocker, of Shutesbury, Mass .. and they had ten children, of whom Bela was the sixth.

(\') Bela Kellogg, born Aug. 24, 1780, gradu- ated from Williams College in 1800, and studied theology with Rev. Nathaniel Emmons, of Frank- lin. He was ordained at Brookfield, Conn., in 1813 dismissed in 1817, and in 1819 became first pastor of the church at Avon. He was obliged to give up work on account of ill health, and died April 30; 1831. On June 6, 1805, he married Lydia Candee who was born in West Haven Nov. 1, 1778, and died in Avon Dec. 3, 1843.

(VI) Bela Crocker Kellogg. born at West Haven, Conn., April 27. 1811, died Sept. 30, 1892 at Avon. His early boyhood was spent in Avon and he learned the harness trade in Hartford ir company with the late Henry Keney and Charles B. Smith, all being apprentices of Thomas Smith- & Co. He then engaged in mercantile business at Avon, and for some years was a leading citizen of that place, and an active worker in the Congrega- tional Church. He served twenty-hve years as postmaster, and was also justice of the peace and town clerk. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican. On Oct. 15, 1839, he married Mary, daughter of Rev. John Bartlett, pastor of the Congregational Church at Bloomfield. and West Avon, Conn. She is descended from twelve of the. "Mayflower" Pilgrims, including John and Pris- cilla Alden, Elder William and Mary Brewster and John and Elizabeth Howland. Seven childrer were born to them : Edward W. : Charles A., a resi- dent of Carthage, Mo .: Wallace B .. deceased William H. and Jane B., residents of Hartford Mary B .. deceased, who married Yung Wing: and Francis B., M. D., who resides in Los Angeles California.

(VII) Edward Wilberforce Kellogg. M. D., was born in Avon Nov. 29, 1840, son of Bela C. and Mary ( Bartlett) Kellogg. His education was ob- tained in the public schools of Philadelphia, and it the high school at Collinsville, Conn. He studied medicine for two years with the late Dr. Isaac G. Porter, of New London, and then took courses of lectures at Bellevue Hospital Medical College and at the New York Homeopathic Medical College, re- ceiving his degree from the latter institution ir 1867. He settled in Danbury the year of his gradu- ation, but removed in the same year to Southington where he remained until May. 1871, and has since been in practice in Hartford. He served for three years during the Civil war as hospital steward in the medical department of the regular army, ofter performing the duties of assistant surgeon, and his commission, bearing the signature of Gen. U. S Grant, is a highly valued souvenir of that experi-

ENKellogg.

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ence. He has also served respectively as treasurer, vice-president and president of the Connecticut Homeopathic Medical Society, and is now president of the Alumni Association of the New York Homeo- pathic Medical College and Hospital. He is a member of the society of Sons of the Revolution, the Army and Navy Club, and the Connecticut His- torical Society. In politics he is a Republican.

On March 7, 1867, the Doctor was married to Miss Hilah A. Dart, of New London, and they have had three children : Edward Russell Kellogg, M. D., a physician in Chicago, Ill., married Esther, daughter of Alexander H. Allyn, of Delavan, Wis., and granddaughter of the late ex-Mayor Timothy M. Allyn, of Hartford; they have one daughter, Ruth Hilah. Arthur Bartlett Kellogg, M. D., a graduate of the Medical Department of the Univer- sity of New York, and of the New York Homeo- pathic Medical College, served two years on the surgical staff of Bellevue Hospital, and has been in practice in Hartford since 1898; he married Cori- bel, daughter of ex-Lieut .- Gov. William H. Ven .. able, of Georgia. Robert Belden Kellogg, the youngest son, is a student at the Riverview Military Academy, Poughkeepsie, New York.

CHARLES H. SMITII, a well-known broker tt No. 49 Pearl street, Hartford, is the youngest of ive sons, and was born Oct. 27, 1828, at East Lyme, Conn. His parents, Elisha and Mary (Gorton) Smith, were natives of East Lyme, and were mar- 'ied Dec. 26, 1808. The genealogy of this branch of the Smith family is traced back two hundred and ifty years on the Western continent, from Boston nd Lancaster, Mass., and Saybrook, Conn., to Richard Smith, one of the original proprietors of yme, Conn., and from whom the subject of this ketch is descended. Facts that have been obtained y patient research show much to make all bearing he name feel justly proud of their Colonial an- estry.

On the maternal side the record is complete to ne famous Samuel Gorton, who arrived in this ountry in 1637. He was one of the "most striking nd picturesque" men that figure in early New ingland history. "Frozen out of Boston, banished om Plymouth, driven by contentions from Prov- lence and Pawtuxet," he acted an important part 1 the history of the Commonwealth of Rhode sland, and was one of the founders of the town of Varwick. Some of the family, about 1717, re- loved to New London county, Conn., from whom Iary Gorton traced her line of ancestry.

Charles H. Smith attended the district school f his native town until he was fourteen years old, which time he was sent to Westfield, Mass., to be der the supervision of his brother, the Rev. Will- m Angus Smith, who was twenty years his senior. cting upon his brother's advice he entered the festfield Academy, where for two years he was a ligent and successful student. Lack of means

compelling him to abandon his academic instruction, and to depend upon his own exertions for support, he at the age of sixteen came to Hartford, and be- came errand-boy in the employ of another brother, John Gorton Smith, and from him received his com- mercial training. John Gorton Smith commenced his business life in Hartford in 1838, when nineteen years old, and many of the well-known dry-goods merchants of a later date served their clerkship at the "Long Brick Store" under his tutelage. When he removed to New York City in 1851, the errand boy, who had advanced by steady gradations, was able to purchase the business, which was located on Main street, near Pearl street, and at present oc- cupied by the "Boston Branch Grocery." He re- tired from the dry-good trade in 1871, Brown, Thompson & Co. buying his stock of goods. After a rest of a few years, Mr. Smith engaged in general brokerage business, handling stocks, bonds and Western securities. In 1894 he retired from active business life.

In 1852, Charles H. Smith was united in mar- riage with Miss Harriet E. Hills, whose father, Howell R. Hills, was a wholesale dealer in boots and shoes for many years. Mrs. Harriet E. Smith died in 1855, and in 1861 Mr. Smith wedded Miss Jane T. Hills, daughter of Ellery Hills, a promi- nent merchant in Hartford for over fifty years. He has one grandchild, Robert Kemble Smith, the son of Charles Howell Smith, who died in 1894, aged forty-one years. Charles Howell Smith was secre- tary and treasurer of the Valley railroad, and later was engaged in the brokerage business with his father ; he married Miss Kate Kemble, of Paw Paw, Mich., and resided in Hartford.

Mr. Smith is a director in the Connecticut Trust Co. and the Phoenix Fire Insurance Co., vice-presi- dent of the Smyth Manufacturing Co., and has been connected with other enterprises in the past. Since 1844 he has been identified with the business inter- ests of Hartford, and as one of the oldest citizens he has watched its growth from 9,000 to 80,000 inhabitants. In politics he is a Republican ; in re- ligion a Congregationalist. His indomitable energy and perseverance and strict integrity in meeting his business engagements have won for him the respect of the business public, and all with whom he is as- sociated.

LEVIAT S. KNOEK, a prominent, wide-awake wholesale and retail merchant of Hartford, is a native of that city, born Aug. 7, 1863, a son of Joseph L. Knoek, who for several years was a well- known business man in Hartford.

Joseph L. Knock was born in Amsterdam, IIol- land, a son of a real-estate dealer in that city, who was a man of prominence, well and favorably known, and who died at the patriarchal age of ninety-two years. Our subject's grandmother died when his father was a child. She had six children, one of whom is yet living in Amsterdam, and one of

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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 92

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