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 97

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 97

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).

Capt. Smith is a member of Franklin Lodge, No. 56, F. & A. M., and has been a Mason thirty- seven years; also of Stephen Terry Lodge, No. 59, I. O. O. F .; and of Gilbert W. Thompson Com- mandery ; lie and his wife are members of Bristol Grange, No. 116, and attend the Episcopal Church. In politics Capt. Smith is an ardent Republican, is very popular, and although never a seeker after office was elected burgess the second and third years after the borough of Bristol was erected.

LEVI BENNETT COCHRAN, M. D., physi- cian and surgeon of Hartford, was born Dec. 8, 1867, in Durhamville, Oneida Co., New York.

The family is of Scotch-Irish origin, and his

grandfather, Andrew Cochran, was a native of Bel- fast, Ireland. Rev. Andrew Cochran, his father, was a Presbyterian clergyman, and for thirty years was pastor of the church at Oneida Castle, N. Y. Just after his death, in 1887, a new church was completed, and named, in his memory, the Cochran Memorial Church. He married Catharine More, a native of Dutchess county, N. Y., and of their six children three are living, as follows: John M., a resident of Oneida, N. Y. : Levi B. ; and Cather- ine, teacher of Latin and Greek in the Teachers College of Columbia University.

Levi B. Cochran attended the public schools of Oneida, N. Y., and on graduating from the high school took a position in a drug store in Oneida. Later he completed the course in the College of Pharmacy at Philadelphia, and for a time was em- ployed in a drug store there. In 1890 he entered the Medical Department of the University of Penn- sylvania, graduating with the class of 1893, and for seven months he was resident physician of the Cooper Hospital, at Camden, N. J. The next two years he spent as assistant physician at the mines at Lattimer, Penn., and in 1896 he located at Hart- ford, Conn., engaging in general practice. He is a member of the City, County and State Medical So- cieties, surgeon of the Connecticut Naval Battalion, and visiting physician of the Hartford Orphan Asy- lum. He was formerly a member of the Stille Medical Society of the University of Pennsylvania. In 1898 the Doctor was married, at Lowville, Lewis Co., N. Y., to Mary Louise, daughter of Dr. Miles H. Bronson.

JOIIN GEMMILL has from carly manhood been actively identified with the business interests of Hartford, where his father before him made an honorable name, and he is well and favorably known in the city in various connections.

Mr. Gemmill is of Scottish lineage, his father, James Gemmill, having been a native of Kilmarnock, Scotland, where he was reared and educated, and learned the tailor's trade. He followed his trade in his native land until coming to America, in 1835, and locating in Hartford, Conn., whence he removed to Thompsonville and later to Suffield, this county, at the latter place, where he resided until the spring of 1861, conducting a store. The remainder of his life was passed in Hartford, where he located in business at No. 45 Asylum street, carrying a line of ready-made clothing and men's furnishing goods, and also conducting a custom tailoring business. In 1862 he removed to Foster's present location, and took his son-in-law, James Clarke, into partner- ship, the firm being Gemmill & Clarke until 1866, when our subject was received into the business, and it became Gemmill & Son. Two years later the elder Mr. Gemmill sold his interest to his son, and with E. F. Burnham and Mr. Clarke continued the business under the firm name of Gemmill,

424

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Clarke & Co. until 1871, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Clarke retaining the store just men- tioned, and Gemmill, Burnham & Co. returning to the old location, No. 45 Asylum street. After twelve years of successful business there they re- moved to the new building erected by them in 1882, and here they have remained to the present day, enjoying a constantly increasing and profitable patronage. Mr. Gemmill's reputation as a business man of honor and the strictest integrity, combined with his pleasing personal characteristics, has gained him a high place among his associates, whether in the business world or in private life, and he has proved a credit to his Scottish ancestry as a sturdy upholder of the right.

James Gemmill married Miss Maria Clutter- buck, a native of England, and to their union were born: Margaret, who died young; Mary, who mar- ried James Clarke, of Bloomfield, this county ; Jolin, whose name introduces this sketch; James, who died young ; and Robert, of New York City. The father passed away in Hartford May 3, 1871, at the age of sixty-five years, the mother surviving until Nov. 21, 1883, when she passed away at the age of seventy-one years; both were laid to rest in the cemetery at Suffield.

John Gemmill was born Jan. 5, 1840, in Suffield. where he grew to manhood, attending the common schools and the Connecticut Literary Institute. In 1860 he went to New York City, where he was in the employ of Lord & Taylor until April, 1861, when he came to Hartford, clerking for his father until his enlistment, July 15, 1862, in Company A, 16th Conn. V. I. He was promoted to corporal and sergeant, and served honorably to the close of the struggle, receiving his discharge June 20, 1865. at Newbern, N. C. Soon after his return to Hart- ford he engaged in business with his father, and the history of his commercial career is the history of the business, as given above. In 1866 he wedded Miss Lettie Morris, of Rutland, Vt., who died in 1893. They had three children : Hattie and Robert, who died young ; and Marguerite Morris, now the wife of Ralph K. Swett, of Hartford, who travels for the Pope Manufacturing Company.

Mr. Gemmill has been identified with various social and religious interests of his city, being a thirty-second degree Mason (member of Sphinx Temple, Mystic Shrine), a member of the Army and Navy Club, and a member of Robert O. Tyler Post, G. A. R. For one year he was major of the Hartford Veteran City Guard. In church connec- tion lie is a Baptist, was for twenty-five years united with the South Church, and has served as deacon in the South and Washington Avenue Baptist Churches ; he is now a member and deacon of the Asylum Avenue Baptist Church, in which he is serv- ing as chairman of the society committee. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Y. M. C. A., discharging all the duties of these trusts with characteristic faithfulness and a zeal which

could leave no room for doubt as to his genuine in- terest in the welfare of the organizations concerned.

HON. RICHARD H. CONDON, now first se- lectman of the town of Farmington, is a true type of American progress and enterprise. His intellec- tual energy, prudent business methods and reliable sagacity have all combined to make him one of the ablest business men of the community.

Mr. Condon was born in County Limerick, Ire- land, June 28, 1860, son of John Condon, a large farmer of that county, where he died in 1872. After settling up the estate the mother came with her six children to America, and our subject made his home with his sister, Mrs. Bridgman, in Unionville, Hart- ford Co., Conn. At the present time he has one brother, John H. Condon, and two sisters, Mrs. Rourke and Mrs. Hanrahan, residing at the town of Farmington.

In the National schools of his native land Mr. Condon began his education, and after coming to this country pursued his studies for a time in the village schools of Unionville. While still in school he began running errands for George Richards, who then, as now, was engaged in the feed and grain business in Unionville, and in 1883 he became a member of the firm, which now carries on business under the firm name of George Richards & Co. They own and operate a large gristmill at Union- ville, and have built up an excellent trade as dealers in flour, feed and grain.

In Collinsville, Conn., Mr. Condon was united in marriage with Miss Susan Burnett, a daughter of George Burnett, and to them has been born one son, Frank Burnett Condon. Fraternally Mr. Condon is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Independ- ent Order of Foresters, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Politically he has been a stanch Democrat since casting his first vote in Farmington. The first office to which he was elect- ed by his townsmen was that of tax collector; in 1889 he represented the town in the State Legisla- ture, and for the past four years he has been first selectman. His official duties have always been most capably and satisfactorily discharged, and he has become a prominent figure in business, political and social circles.

EDWARD J. MULCAHY, dealer in clothing, hats and furnishing goods, at Nos. 33 to 41 Asylum street, Hartford, is one of the city's successful mer- chants, and is a native and a continuous resident of the city.

Mr. Mulcahy has one of the largest stores in his line in the city. His business house is in a conspicuous location on one of the leading business streets in Hartford ; it has a frontage of 50 feet and a depth of 150 feet, and the interior is well ar- ranged and business-like. Mr. Mulcahy is one of the best-known merchants in the city. Throughi

N. H bouton

425

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

his ability, strict adherence to business principles, good management, and honorable and fair dealing, he has been successful. For many years he has been one of the committee of the Hartford Public High School, and he is a member of the board of street commissioners. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, and treasurer of Charter Oak Council.

THOMAS BUNNELL, employed by the New Departure Bell Co., Bristol, was born May 27, 1839, in Bristol, Conn., at No. 160 Divinity street.

Hezekiah Bunnell, great-great-grandfather of our subject, was born in 1702, in Cheshire, Conn., whence he moved to Burlington, Hartford county. He married Esther Plumb, and they had seven sons. Hezekiah took up an extensive tract of land in Burlington, and when he died, May 25, 1764, he willed to each of his sons a large farm. The mother passed from earth Dec. 20, 1768.

Nathaniel Bunnell, great-grandfather of our subject, was born in 1733, and was frozen to death December 15, 1759, a severe snowstorm overtaking him while he was out deer hunting. In 1756 he married Thankful Spencer, who was born in 1735, and died Jan. 25, 1817. They had three children.

Nathaniel Bunnell, grandfather of our subject, was born May 20, 1758, and died Aug. 22, 1828. He was a farmer by occupation, and in connection was also a basket maker, which was a profitable in- dustry in those days. He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Twice married, his second wife was Rhoda (Bates), born Oct. 5, 1761, and died July 29, 1852. Their children: (I) Dinah, born Dec. 12, 1795, died April 23, 1875, married Royal Grover. (2) Laura, born March 24, 1798, died Aug. 27, 1828. (3) Phileta, born Feb. 10, 1800, died Nov. 15, 1815. (4) Allen, born Feb. 7, 1802,

died May 20, 1873. (5) Susannah, born Oct. 27, 1804, died in 1834. (6) Thomas, born Nov. 9, 1806, died Feb. 11, 1895. Of these,

Allen Bunnell, father of our subject, was born in Burlington, Conn., received his education there in the Center district school, and learned the trade of carriage maker of a man by the name of Hale; the factory was a little over a mile north of the Center. He served seven years at this, beginning at the age of fourteen years. When a young man he removed to Bristol, and carried on a carriage shop in Divinity street. He died May 20, 1873, in what is known as Edgewood, Bristol. On Feb. 8, 1826, he married Rhoda Atwater, who was born Nov. 16, 1800, in Bristol, a daughter of Lucius and Rhoda (Churchill) Atwater, the last named being a lineal descendant of Gov. William Lyon, of Colonial days. She died July 20, 1879, in Edge- wood, Bristol. Their children: (1) Caroline, born Jan. 13, 1827, married Franklin Steele, of Bristol, and died Dec. 9, 1898. (2) Emily, born Jan. 30, 1828, married John H. Sessions, of Bristol. (3) Charles R., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere. (4) Susannah, born Sept. 16, 1832, married Ed-

ward Porter, of Bristol. (5) Rhoda, born June 23, 1835, died May 3, 1836. (6) Thomas, our sub- ject. (7) Sterling, a sketch of whom appears else- where. The father of this family was one of the first Abolitionists, and was one of the seven men of Bristol who at one time held the controlling power in the town. He was a very strong Union man, and equally aggressive on the temperance subject. He was converted when about twenty-one years of age. while attending the services of the Congregational Church of his town. When he came to consider the question of Baptism, he asked to be immersed ; the pastor was loath to administer as requested, so this cause led him to the Baptist Society in Bristol, where he joined. There he formed the acquaint- ance of her who was to be his loved and loving companion in all his after life. She had become a member there at the age of eleven years. In 1842 the preaching of William Miller, that the end of the earth's probation was near at hand, found a response in them, and they became what is known as Second Adventists. They were exemplary Chris- tians at home or wherever they went, both dying in the triumphs of Christian faith. They were buried in West cemetery, Bristol.

Thomas Bunnell, whose name opens this sketch, was six years old when his parents removed to Whigville, in Burlington, the school of which place he attended until he was fifteen years of age. At that time he removed to Illinois, and along with his brother Charles R. operated a farm on shares, for two years. He then came to Whigville, and thence proceeding to Unionville, worked at wood-turning for Allen & Bunnell about one and one-half years. Then returning to Whigville ( Burlington), he was in the employ of E. K. Jones at wood-turning some twelve months, or until the financial panic of 1857, which blasted his plans to attend school at Wilbra- ham Academy. We next find him in New Britain, in the employ of the Stanley Rule & Level Co., wood-turning, and here he remained until the break- ing out of the Civil war.

In the early part of April, 1861, Mr. Bunnell enlisted in Harris' Light Battery, for three months, and was quartered at Hartford; but as notice had been received that no more three-months men would be accepted, they were paid off and disbanded, and he then enlisted in Company G, 4th Conn. V. I., and was mustered in May 22, 1861. His regi- ment served in the summer and fall of 1861 on the upper Potomac, guarding wagon trains and doing provost duty about and in the towns of Hagerstown, Williamsport, Darnestown, and Harper's Ferry. On Oct. 9, the regiment marched over Long Bridge to Arlington Heights, and garrisoned Fort Richard- son. Later the different companies were stationed at Forts Scott, Ward, Barnard, Ellsworth, Worth and Berry, of the defences of Washington. The regiment was changed to the Ist Conn. Heavy Ar- tillery Jan. 7, 1862, and the following spring went with the siege train with McClellan, besieging York-

426

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

town. After that they were engaged in the opera- tions about Richmond, and were at the battle of Hanover Court House, where Mr. Bunnell unaided captured a captain of the 28th North Carolina regi- ment ; the captain was well armed, having, besides his regulation sword and navy revolver in his belt, a revolver in his pocket. The last Mr. Bunnell has in his possession now. Soon after this the seven days' battle that ended at Malvern Hill took place, in which Mr. Bunnell took an active part. Later the regiment was at Harrison's Landing, Va., from thence returning, in August, 1862, to the defenses of Washington. In September following Mr. Bun- nell, with eleven others from the regiment, was de- tailed on recruiting service, and was thus engaged in Connecticut until January, when the party re- turned to Virginia, he to Company G, at Fort Barnard. From this time until the spring of 1864 he was in the operations confined to the defences of Washington, south of the Potomac. On May II, 1864, the regiment embarked at Alexandria, Va., and May 13, landed at Bermuda Hundred, joining Gen. Butler's command. From this on un- til Lee surrendered Mr. Bunnell was almost con- stantly engaged in some of the many batteries ly- ing between the James river on the right and Petersburg on the left, excepting the time taken by his going with Gen. Terry to the capture of Fort Fisher, N. C. The regiment spent about three months collecting Rebel ordnance in their aban- doned works on the James, below Richmond, then returned to Fort Ellsworth, Va., where they were mustered out of the United States service, at once returning to Hartford, were paid and given their discharge. Mr. Bunnell re-enlisted Dec. 17, 1863, and was mustered out Sept. 25, 1865, having served continuously four years, four months and three days. He was never wounded. From private he was promoted to corporal, and as such acted as ordnance sergeant about Petersburg and the James river, then to sergeant, and later to regimental color bearer, bringing the colors home to Connecticut.

Returning to the paths of peace, Mr. Bunnell and his brother Charles R. formed a partnership in the wood-turning business in Whigville, in the factory now occupied by D. E. Mills, but at the end of a year our subject sold out his interest in the concern to his brother; then for some three years worked for Warner & Sessions in Edgewood (Bristol) ; thence went to Quincy, Ill., and there, along with a Mr. Jennings, carried on a commission stable business for about two years, at the end of that time selling out and returning to Connecticut. In Hartford for some eighteen months he followed his old trade of wood-turning, then worked in same line for J. H. Sessions & Sons, resigning in 1885 to take up a completely new business, that of en- larging pictures, in which line he traveled through- out the State of Connecticut thirteen years, and then accepted his present position with the New Departure Bell Co.

On June 5, 1861, Thomas Bunnell was united in marriage with Sarah Amelia Blow, who died May 30, 1866, without issue. On July 6, 1867, he mar- ried (second) Elecia Leonora Maguire, who was born Jan. 20, 1842, at Enniskillen, Ireland, a daugh- ter of Hugh and Annie (Gordon) Maguire, who emigrated with their family to this country in May, 1842. They were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he was licensed as a local preacher at the age of sixteen years, and con- tinued as such through life, being widely known in the towns surrounding Hartford, where he lived about thirty years. By trade he was a carpenter. He died in Hartford in 1880, his wife dying in 1890, in Bristol, at the home of her daughter, with whom she lived after the death of her husband. They are buried in Spring Grove cemetery, Hart- ford. Children as follows have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bunnell : (1) Schuyler Ulysses, born Sept. 14, 1868, in Bristol, Conn , married Cora Whittlesey, of Bridgeport, Conn .; he is a photographer, and lives in Norfolk, Va. (2) Allen Afton, born Feb. 2, 1874, is in the employ of the Liberty Bell Co., Bristol. (3) Sarah Elecia, born Sept. 2, 1876, graduated from Brown University, Providence, R. I., in the class of 1899, and is now a school teacher in New Canaan, Connecticut.

In religious faith Mr. Bunnell is a member of the Advent Christian Church, in which he has served as a deacon since Nov. 25, 1878. Mrs. Bunnell is a member of the Prospect M. E. Church, and of the Ladies Aid and Missionary Societies. In politics our subject is a stanch Republican. He is an in- dustrious, energetic man, and is numbered among the leading citizens of the community in which he lives.

GEORGE N. THOMPSON, of the town of Canton, an enterprising and successful business man of his locality, was born Feb. 17, 1847, in West Hartland, this county, and comes of a good Rhode Island family.

Joseph Thompson, our subject's grandfather, was born and reared in Rhode Island, and was mar- ried there. After a time he removed with his family to Connecticut, and for some years he fol- lowed the shoemaker's trade at Colebrook, Litchi- field county, in connection with farming, but late in life he returned to his birthplace to spend his re- maining days.

Joseph Thompson (2), our subject's father, was also a native of Rhode Island, but his boyhood was mainly spent in Tolland and West Hartland, where he received a district-school education. He was trained to farm work and chose agriculture as an occupation, locating first at Hartland, this county, and later at West Hartland, where he purchased a farm and made many improvements. He died May 5, 1872, and was buried in Hartland Hollow cemetery. Upright and honest in his dealings, he commanded the respect of his associates, and was frequently

Geo. M. Thompson

Celia & Thompson

427

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

hosen to local offices, including that of selectman. At one time he represented the town of Hartland 1 the State Legislature. Politically he was first Whig and then a Republican, and in religious aith he was a Congregationalist. His first wife, sarah A. ( Newton), was a native of Hartland, and heir marriage occurred there. She died leaving one on, our subject, and Mr: Thompson then married Celestia Shepard, daughter of Deacon Lyman shepard, of West Granville, Mass. By this mar- iage there were fourteen children: Charlotte, who ied in childhood; Sarah, who married Thcodore faves, of Granby ; Clara, who married Miles Godard, f Granby ; Mary, wife of Mortimer Vining ; Maria, who never married; Martha T., who died in in- ancy ; Charles, a resident of Granville Corners ; oseph, who resides in Suffield ; Flora, who married jeorge Adams, of Suffield; Edmund, a resident of Thompsonville; Jennie, widow of Walter Tanner; Vilbert, a resident of Riverton; Edna, wife of Prin Auger, of New Haven; and Miles, who died 1 infancy.

The Newton family, from which our subject is escended in the maternal line, is of pioneer stock, nd his great-grandfather, Abiathier Newton, was orn in Durham, Conn., in early manhood settling Hartland, where he owned and cultivated a large act of land. He was an excellent business man, nd in addition to general farming he devoted special ttention to the raising of cattle for market. In olitics he was an Old-line Whig, and he took an ctive part in religious affairs, having been one f the first deacons of the church in Hartland. Ie and his wife, Anna ( Cowels), of East Hartford, ied at their homestead many years ago and their emains now rest in the cemetery in West Hart- und. They had eight children :

Eunice, who married Joel Ensign; Anna, who never married ; ally ; Sarah, who remained single; Isaac; Johnson ; ester ; and Mary, who died in childhood.

Lester Newton, our subject's grandfather, was orn in 1796, in Hartland, and died in 1840. He esided upon the homestead throughout life, assist- ig his father until the death of the latter, and then aking charge of the place. Ile was a prominent member of the Congregational Church, and politi- ally was a Whig. His wife, Sarah Lawton, who ied in 1846, was born in Rhode Island, daughter f Joseph Lawton, also a native of that State. They ad five children : Flavel Cowels, who is still liv- ig in Hartland; Sarah A., our subject's mother ; heresa T., who married Samuel Gilman, of Win- ed, Conn. ; Clarinda Augusta, who married David ` Bosworth, of Hartland; and Joseph L., a resi- ent of South Windsor.

Our subject was educated in the district schools f Hartland and the academies at East Hartland, onn., and West Granville, Mass. On coming of ge he left home to make his own way in life, and fter spending one year in Hartland he engaged in le meat business in East Granville, Mass., where

he remained one year. He spent one year in Granville, and one year at Collinsville, locating afterward in Hartland, and continuing the busi- ness for some time. He then removed to Iowa and engaged in the stock business, but in 1897 he re- turned to this county and settled in Canton, purchas- ing the William Barber farm. The cultivation of the farm occupies much of his time, but he is also interested in butchering and dealing in cattle. Honest, upright and industrious, he well deserves his success, and his fellow citizens hold him in high esteem, as is shown by his election to various offices of trust. At times he has served as selectman, and represented Hartland in the State Legislature in 1875, 1886 and again in 1893. In his religious views he is liberal, and socially is connected with Amos Beecher Lodge, No. 121, F. & A. M., Ncw Hartford, and the chapter and council at Collins- ville.

On June 3, 1868, Mr. Thompson married Celia L. Roberts, a native of Hartland, where her family is highly respected. Her father, Eli Roberts, died July 26, 1865, and her mother, whose maiden name was Celia Lane, died Jan. 19, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have one daughter, Alma M., who was educated in the district and select schools of Hart- land, the high school at Bristol, and McLean's Sem- inary, at Simsbury. At the age of seventeen she began teaching school, and for some time she taught in Hartland, Windsor and Weatogue, but she is now the wife of Arthur F. Warner, a well-known citizen of West Suffield.

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 97

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