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 93

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 93

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her sons was wealthy, leaving when he died 100,000 guilders to his wife, and, at her death, to an orphan asylum. Joseph L. learned the trade of tailor, and so apt was he that when only thirteen years of age he could make a suit of clothes. In 1850 he came to America, settling in Hartford, where he fol- lowed his trade, being employed by Mr. Goodhart, then doing business in Morgan street. Having saved his wages, he commenced a new line of busi- ness, that of peddler, dealing in chinaware and bric- a-brac chiefly. From the profits of this business he started a small clothing store, and later established a loan business, also investing in real estate. Being a shrewd buyer, his investments proved highly valu- able, and by dint of tact and perseverance he ac- cumulated a large property. He was in business forty-three years, and at the time of his death was among the oldest merchants of Hartford. By his wife, Hanna (Blodes), who was born in Germany, near Lissa, he had seven children, five of whom grew to maturity, and four are living, viz. : Hulda married Mark Sherrick, who is in the fur business in New York; Celia married H. P. Levy, a jeweler in Hartford; Leviat S., our subject, comes next ; Adeline being the youngest. The father died May 1, 1893, aged sixty-six years, the mother on March 23, 1895. They were members of the Reformed Jewish Church. Gilbert D., another son, was for thirteen years head cashier for A. Hollander, cloth- ier, Hartford, and later was in business with our subject. He was a man of prominence, serving in the city council, and taking an active part in the affairs of the place. Socially he was a member of the I. O. O. F., of the I. O. B. B., and of the Hubbard Escort.

Leviat S. Knoek, whose name introduces this sketch, received his education in the common and high schools, graduating in the class of '82. He commenced his life work as clerk for his father, finally becoming manager, and, later, on the death of his father, succeeding to the business. In the meantime, from 1880 to 1883 he represented "on the road" a New York house, in the fur business, traveling all over the United States, and visiting every city from Maine to California. Upon taking charge of the business of his father as manager, lie introduced into it many new methods, and in addition to clothing, he added a large stock of dia- monds, jewelry, hardware, bicycles, bicycle supplies, and sporting goods, musical instruments, electric supplies, etc. Upon the death of his mother, he was appointed administrator of the estate which amounted to some $60,000. In the spring of 1900 he remodeled the entire store, taking out a partition, and now has a place of business sixty-seven feet deep and twenty-two feet wide, stocked with goods, and where he employs six clerks.

Mr. Knoek is a Democrat in politics ; served three terms on the council, being re-elected twice in suc- cession. He drafted the present Pawnbroker Laws for the buying and selling of all kinds of jewelry,

bicycles, junk, iron, and everything of this descrip- tion, which laws were passed by the Legislature in 1894, and adopted at that time. He is a man of a rare degree of intelligence. Socially he is a member of St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M. ; of the B. P. O. E. and K, of P., and has held a number of offices in these. At the time of the trip of the B. P. O. E. lodge to St. Louis, to the National Convention June 17, 1889, he was chairman of the Ways and Means committee. During the summer of 1900 he visitec. the Paris Exposition, and incidentally the follow- ing countries : England, Holland, Belgium, Ger- many, France, Scotland and Ireland.

HENRY CLAY BURGESS, a wholesale anc retail coal dealer in Hartford, with yards at Tunne No. 15, Albany avenue, was born Oct. 25, 1831, il Richfield, New York.

Mr. Burgess' ancestors were early settlers a Plainfield, Conn., and his grandfather, Capt. Nathai Burgess, who was born in that town, passed hi active years there, engaged in farming, his deatl occurring at the age of forty-six. Henry Burgess our subject's father, was born and reared in Plain field, and removed to West Winfield, N. Y., in 1821 and to Hartford in January, 1833. He engaged in the lumber business there, and followed same ove' a quarter of a century, continuing until his deatl in 1859, at the age of fifty-eight years. He was Whig in politics, and served in the common counci In religious faith he was a Baptist, and his uprigl character won for him a large circle of friends i Hartford and vicinity. He married Nancy Gof a native of Rehoboth, Mass., who removed to Plair field in her girlhood, later to West Winfield, N. Y and died in Hartford, aged sixty-three. Her uncl Nathan Goff, was a Revolutionary soldier. M.

and Mrs. Burgess had five children, three of whoi are living: Cornelia E., Anna M., and Henry Clay

Our subject was educated in the common school of Hartford, and at an early age began to gain practical knowledge of his father's business, t which he was admitted as a partner and finally suc ceeded at his father's death. After carrying it o alone for some years he took charge of William $ White's lumber yard, continuing same eightee years. He has since been in business for himsel a period of about twelve years, and under his ab management his trade has constantly increase( being now one of the largest in the city. In 186 he married Julia E. Williams, of Manchester, whos father, Dr. Williams, was a prominent physicia there for many years. She was one of four chi dren, two of whom are still living, A. W. C. Wil iams, of Hartford, Conn., and Clarence William of Cheshire. Mrs. Burgess died in 1889, age fifty-three years. She was for many years a men' ber of the Congregational Church. Our subject . a Republican in politics, and a member of Hartfor Lodge, No. 88, F. & A. M., the Knights of Pythia. the American Mechanics, and a number of insurand

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organizations. He has held all the offices in the K. of P., and is treasurer at the present time. In religious connection he belongs to the Baptist Church, and has taken considerable interest in the church and Sunday-school, holding offices in both.

WILLIAM HENRY NOTT, a retired con- tractor and builder residing in Bristol and an ex- hero of the Civil war, was born in Rocky Hill, Conn., Feb. 12, 1844, and is a son of John and Elizabeth ( Blinn) Nott, deceased.

John Nott, a native of Wethersfield, was a son of William Nott, who commanded the sloop "Guil- ford" in the Revolutionary war, resided in Wethers- field, and was the father of three children: John (a shoemaker by trade, who worked principally in Rocky Hill and East Berlin), Oliver, and William Henry Nott. John, father of our subject. served in the war of 1812, and died in Rocky Ilill about 1857, having lost his wife about the year 1847. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics was a Republican, but was never an office- holder. To his marriage with Elizabeth Blinn, of Rocky Hill, were born seven children : Julius, born June 11, 1819; Edward, of Bristol; Maria, married to Gurdon Goodrich, of Rocky Hill, died in Miles City, Mont. ; Marshall, married to Mary Ann Whit- man, is a farmer living in Griswoldville, Conn .; Selah W., who first married Mellie Hayes and later wedded Mary Hastings, is employed by Pratt & Whitney (lives at No. 18 Grand street, Hartford) ; Emeline is married to William Whitman, of West Hartford; and William H. is the subject of this sketch.

William H. Nott attended the common schools of Rocky Hill until he was eleven years old, then went to Wethersfield, lived in the family of Levi Churchill, had the privilege of attending school in the winter season until 1857, and then came to Bristol to learn the carpenter's trade under his brother Edward, with whom he remained until he responded to the call to arms in defense of the in- tegrity of the Union. At Hartford, Aug. 24, 1862, he was enrolled a member of Company K, Sixteenth C. V. I., and was immediately sent to the front. He took part in the actions at Antietam, Fredericks- burg, Suffolk, Providence Church Road, Edenton Road, Va., and at Plymouth, N. C., where he was captured by the enemy and confined in the loath- some pen at Andersonville from April 20, 1864, un- til September. Thence he was transferred to Charleston, S. C., with the first squad was placed in the exposed hospital of that beleaguered city, was confined one month, and was thence transferred to Florence, S. C., where he was exchanged Dec. II, 1864, and sent to Annapolis, Md. He was there granted a furlough of thirty days to come home to vote, and on rejoining his regiment happened to be on board the gunboat "Massachusetts" when it collided with and sank the "Black Diamond" in the Potomac river. At the conclusion of hos-

tilities, the 131 survivors of the "Fighting Six- teenth" C. V. I. were honorably mustered out at Hartford June 24, 1865, Mr. Nott with the rank of first sergeant, and was one of the four that was discharged as a regiment left of his company.

Mr. Nott now resumed work at his trade with his brother Edward in Bristol, and remained with him until 1868, when lie went to Hartford, worked for West & Lapaugh and for Charles Loomis for four years ; then went to Middletown and did busi- ness as a contractor and builder two years ; returned to Bristol and again worked with his brother tivo years, and then embarked in contracting and build- ing on his own account. In this he met with abund- ant success, filling contracts for the building of the Baptist church, the Gridley hotel, the elegant dwell- ing of George W. Mitchell on Bellevue avenue, and many other fine dwellings. In 1883 he relinquished building, having secured a contract for the sawing and planing for the E. Ingraham Co., which he held until 1887, when he secured a similar contract with E. N. Welch & Co., which he faithfully carried out until failing health caused him to withdraw in 1892, since which date he has not been actively engaged in any business.

William H. Nott was united in marriage Feb. 14, 1866, with Miss Mary Bulkeley Smith, daugh- ter of Benjamin Smith, of Rocky Hill. This union has been blessed with two children: Mary Day, born Dec. 9, 1866, was married Oct. 20, 1886, to Harry C. Wright, of Bristol, who is employed in the movement department of the E. Ingraham Co., and to this union was born Aug. 7, 1887, one child, Guy Maynard, now attending public school ; Eliza- betli Bulkeley Nott, born Aug. 29, 1869 ,in Hart- ford, was married July 2, 1889, to Charles E. Dun- bar, whose life record appears elsewhere, and to them also was born June 26, 1891, one child, Win- throp William Nott Dunbar.

Mr. Nott was formerly a member of G. W. Thompson Post, No. 13, G. A. R., and was its junior vice-commander and also its chaplain ; he is a member of Ethan Lodge, No. 9, K. of P., in which he has passed all the chairs and has filled the office of past chancellor commander ; he was likewise a member of Hull Battalion, No. 5, Uniform Rank, K. of P., but resigned on account of ill health. In politics he is a stanch Republican, but would never accept a nomination for office. He and family are faithful members of the Congregational Church; socially they stand as high and are as well respected as any in Bristol.

JOSEPH HENRY WARD, at present in the real-estate business in Bristol, is a native of that borough, born there Oct. 20, 1849, a son of Will- iam and Mary Ward.

William Ward was born in England, was a miner by vocation, and came to America in August, 1846. Ile settled in Bristol, and at once engaged in mining copper near by, the mines at that time

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being very prolific in that metal, but in 1849 went to California, and he has been employed in many mines in all parts of the country where mines were to be developed, and was mining in North Carolina when the Civil war broke out ; but he always recognized Bristol, Conn., as his home. His vast experience as a miner usually secured for him dominant posi- tions, and at one time he was superintendent of the nickel mines in Torrington, Conn. He was a man of diligence, and cared much more for his vocation and travel than he did for society.

Joseph H. Ward, one of the eight children born to William Ward, received his elementary education in the common schools of Bristol, and later attended Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Hartford, from which he graduated in 1869. Shortly after- ward he bought the livery establishment of George C. Gridley, opposite the railroad depot ; twenty-three years later he sold this stand to S. D. Bull & Co., and it is now conducted by C. S. Barnes & Co. Mr. Ward next went to Durango, Colo., where he was appointed general manager for the San Juan Coal Mining Co., held the position four years, then re- signed and returned to Bristol, where he is now engaged in real-estate business and in caring for extensive interests in various business concerns, being one of the original stockholders and directors in the Electric Light Co., and interested in several other of the larger stock companies of the town.

On June 25. 1877, Mr. Ward married Miss Clara May Burwell, daughter of John and Clara Burwell, of New Hartford, and this marriage has been graced with four children: George Burwell, now a student of Yale College, class of 1902 (he was a member of the base-ball team of 1899, and this year ( 1900) is a member of the Varsity foot- ball squad) ; Alice May, attending the Miss Burn- ham preparatory school in Northampton: Bertha S., attending the Bristol schools ; and Flavia Allen. In politics Mr. Ward is a Democrat, and while in Colorado he was a Bryan delegate to the State con- vention. Socially he is a member of the Royal Arcanum. Besides his fine home in Bristol he owns a cottage at Sachem's Head, where he spends the summers with his family.

HON. ALMON BLAKE PHELPS, who is now representing the town of East Granby, in the State Legislature, is one of the leading and influential cit- izens of that locality, and a recognized leader in the ranks of the Republican party there.

Mr. Phelps was born in Sarahsville, Noble Co., Ohio, Nov. 26, 1866, but is a representative of one of the oldest and most honored families of Hartford county, Conn. His great-grandfather, Job Phelps, was born April 20, 1750, in the town of Suffield, this county, and there spent his entire life as a farmer. He was a land owner and a very highly re- spected citizen of his community. In his native town he was married, July 3, 1777, to Miss Charity Moore, who was born Aug. 29, 1748, and died Feb.

22, 1827, while his death occurred Oct. 2, 1820, and the remains of both were interred in Suffield. Their children were as follows: Job, born Oct. 7, 1779, was drowned Sept. 15, 1792 ; Jabez Moore, our sub- ject's grandfather, was next in order of birth; Drayton, born Sept. 20, 1784, died May 27, 1854; Jason, born March 31, 1787, died March 6, 1858; and Charity, born Jan. 14, 1791, married (first) Chandler Owen, and (second) Ransom Hayden.

Jabez Moore Phelps, our subject's grandfather, was born May 20, 1782, and received only a country-school education. He always made his home in the town of Suffield, and throughout life followed the occupation of farming, to which he had been reared. In his political affiliations he was a Whig, and in religious connection he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which his family were also identified. He died May 8, 1848, honored and respected by all who knew him, and was buried in the town of Suffield. On Jan. 1, 1805, he married Rebecca Hamilton, who was born in Tolland, Conn., Dec. 7, 1777, and died April 13, 1858. She, too, was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and was a most estimable lady. In their family were four children : Almon, born Sept. 19, 1805, died Oct. 15, 1885 ; Canfield, the father of our subject, was next in the order of birth ; Rebecca, born July 29, 1814, died unmarried Oct. 23, 1885 ; and Drayton, born Aug. 23 1816, was married Oct. 19, 1851, to Charlotte Dibble, of Southwick, Mass., who is still living (his death occurrred March 30, 1893. By occupation he was a farmer ).

Canfield Phelps was born July 7, 1811, in the town of Suffield, studied civil engineering and was a well-educated man. When a young man he traveled all through the South as a collector for a clock com- pany in Connecticut, and later went West, locating for a time in Sarahsville, Noble Co., Ohio, where he engaged in the real-estate and stock business, and also in civil engineering. Subsequently he was in- terested in the manufacture of lumber in Defiance county, that State, and was the first man in the county to erect and own a portable sawmill. For some time he was extensively engaged in the lumber business there, and after his removal to Ed- gerton, Williams Co., Ohio, continued in the same enterprise. He became one of the foremost citizens of Edgerton, held the offices of justice of the peace, tax collector and other local positions, and took a deep interest in the cause of education, doing much to advance the interests of the public schools, and died at that place, Nov. 5. 1871, being buried in the cemetery there. He was an upright and honorable man, very popular in business and social circles, and was a stanch supporter of the Republican party and its principles. He married (first) Nancy Gilkinson, and to them was born one son, Orsen, who died young. After the death of this wife he wedded Miss Mary Holley, by whom he had four children. the oldest of whom died in infancy, the others being : Almon B., our subject; Drayton, a resident of

Alman B. Phelps.

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Williams county, Ohio; and Lucy R., the wife of Edwin Store. For her second husband, the mother married John Battershell (now deceased), and she is still living in Williams county, Ohio.

Almon B. Phelps accompanied his parents on their removal to Defiance county, Ohio, and later to Edgerton, where he attended schools. In Williams county he remained until he was sixteen years of age, when he came east to the birthplace of his fa- ther, and lived with his uncle Drayton Phelps, at Copper Hill, town of East Granby, Hartford Co., Conn., for five years. Having saved a little money, he in 1889 purchased a tract of land near the Cop- per Hill Methodist Episcopal church, known as the Frederick Stevens farm. This comprises ninety acres, on which he has since successfully engaged in general farming, dairying and tobacco growing. He is a very enterprising, energetic man, noted for his industry and business like propensities, and is very popular among his associates and friends.

In 1889, in the town of Granby, Mr. Phelps was united in marriage with Miss Florence M. Viets, who was born there Feb. 18, 1868, a daughter of Julius G. and Mary P. (Gillett) Viets, of Granby, and a niece of Virgil E. Viets, of Newgate. To them were born two children: Nellie and Mary Viets. The mother, who was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died in August, 1897, and was laid to rest in the Copper Hill ceme- tery. She was an affectionate wife and mother. and her decease was a sad blow to the sorrowing husband.

Since attaining his majority, Mr. Phelps has taken an active part in political affairs, as a sup- porter of the Republican party, and has done all in his power to promote its interests. He has served as selectman of the town of East Granby, to the en- tire satisfaction of all concerned, and in the fall of 1898 was elected to the State Legislature. He is proving a most efficient man for the place, and in all the relations of life has proved an earnest, hon- est, upright man, and a citizen of whom any com- munity might be justly proud. He has held nearly all the local offices in his town, including those of school director and assessor, and has discharged his various duties with a promptness and fidelity wor- thy of all commendation.

HENRY FRANKLIN CORNING has become widely known in business circles as a dealer in all kinds of leather goods, at No. 83 Asylum street, Hartford. It is true that he became interested in business already established, but in controlling and enlarging such an enterprise many a man of even considerable resolute purpose, courage and industry would have failed; and he has demonstrated the ruth of the saying that success is not the result of genius, but the outcome of a clear judgment and xperience.

A native of Hartford, Mr. Corning was born uly 28, 1849, and is a son of Henry Corning, who

was born in Hartford Aug. 12, 1818. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Henry and Eliza- beth ( Kappell) Corning. The father was reared and educated in Hartford, and for about fourteen years after reaching manhood he was engaged in the dry-goods business in New York City. He is now living retired, having in February, 1900, with- drawn from the firm of H. F. Corning & Co., of which our subject is senior member. He has been a lifelong Democrat, and for many years has been senior warden of St. John's Church and Trinity Church. As a business man and citizen he has made an enviable reputation, and is deserving of honor- able mention in a work of this character. At Christ Church, Hartford, on May 4, 1847, he was married to Miss Mary Jane, daughter of Ralph Goodwin, and to them were born four children : Henry Franklin, our subject; Mary Elizabeth Kappell ; Carrie, who died in Hartford, in 1892; and Jennie, who died in childhood.

Henry Franklin Corning was educated at board- ing schools in Windham and Cheshire, Conn., and on Feb. 22, 1865, entered the employ of Corning Broth- ers as clerk, since which time he has been connected with the business, of which he is now at the head. This business was established by his grandfather, Ralph Goodwin, in 1812, and carried on by him until 1858, when he was succeeded by Henry Corning and his brother Franklin, who conducted it under the firm style of Corning Brothers. In 1874 our subject was admitted to partnership, and the name changed to H. F. Corning & Co. At different times during its existence business has been conducted on Church street, Kingsley, Central Row, Main street and Asylum street. They at present occupy the building at No. 83 Asylum street, and carry a complete line of horse goods, trunks, bags, pocket books and leather findings. By fair and honorable dealing, and by keeping a first-class stock, they have built up an excellent trade.

Mr. Corning was married, Nov. 12, 1873, in Trinity Church, Hartford, to Miss Mary Ellen Keney, daughter of Aaron Keney.

ALLEN T. BUNNELL, a well-known farmer and respected citizen of Bristol, is a native of Ohio, born Oct. 19, 1836, in Geneva [For ancestral data, see sketch of Charles R. Bunnell elsewhere]. Na- thaniel Bunnell, grandfather of Allen T., was born May 20, 1758, and died Aug. 22, 1828. He was a farmer by occupation, also a basket maker. At the age of twenty years he went to New London, Conn., enlisted in the Continental army, and was present at the burning of the place by Arnold. He was twice married, and by his second wife, Rhoda Bates (born Oct. 5, 1761, died July 29, 1852), he had children as follows: Dinah, Laura, Phileta, Al- len, Susannah, and Thomas. Of these,

Thomas Bunnell, father of Allen T., was born in Burlington, Conn., Nov. 9, 1806, and died Feb. 11, 1895. In 1827, he came to Terryville, Conn.,

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and for a time taught in the old red school house, later taking up the business of teaming freight, the goods consigned to him coming through the old canal to Plainville, from there being distributed through the country. His teaming experience dates from the year 1843, when he drove to Hartford every other day for freight, on the intervening days making a trip to Plainville, and this he continued in until 1855 when the railroad made its appearance in that region. Mr. Bunnell then commenced teaming between Terryville and Thomaston, from 1855 to 1887 carrying loads of merchandise over the hills of Litchfield county. In addition to the regular freight business mentioned, he for many years, in company with his son Allen T., did all the teaming for the manufacturers of Terryville, in- cluding the Eagle Lock Co. (for nearly twenty years), also Andrew Terry & Co.'s foundry (for several years), whereby, as will readily be seen, his life became closely interwoven with the busi- ness history of the community, in which he was highly esteemed. In 1853 he returned to Geneva, Ohio, and for seven years followed farming, then again came to Bristol.

In 1830 Thomas Bunnell married Pamelia Bun- rell, of Plymouth, Conn., who died in July, 1864. the mother of children as follows: (1) Miss Olive, a resident of Terryville. (2) Sophronia, wife of James Andrews, of Terryville; she died in Bristol. (3) Allen T., our subject. (4) Angeline, wife of Amos Jacques, of Geneva ; she died in Geneva. (5) Romanta (not married) died in Terryville. (6) Albert, who has been twice married, has his home in Terryville. (7-8) Two children died in infancy.

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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 93

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