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 98

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 98

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FREDERICK A. WEST, who has been promi- nently identified with the manufacturing interests of Hartford for a number of years, was born in that city Sept. 11, 1856, and belongs to an old and hon- ored pioneer family.

Mr. West's ancestors settled at an early date at Stafford Springs, Conn., and Alva West, his great- grandfather, who was born in Stafford, Conn., about 1760, served in the Continental army from May 9, 1775, to Dec. 18, of that year, as a member of the 3rd Connecticut or 2nd Continental regiment. On June 20, 1777, he re-enlisted, in Samuel Webb's regiment, in which he was made a corporal in July, 1777, and served until discharged, on June 20, 1780. His death occurred at his home in Stafford, when he was ninety-one years of age.

Horatio West, our subject's grandfather, was born in Stafford Springs March 4, 1785, and passed his life there. He owned and operated a large farm, but personally maintained a life of ease and even luxury for that day, his fondness for fine horses having been especially noticeable. His wealth and leisure were not selfishly used. how- ever, as he took an active part in town affairs, sery- ing on the school committee and in other offices. On Aug. 13, 1811, he was married by Rev. Samuel Bloss to Miss Phoebe Cushman, and they had a large family of children, the names and dates of

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

birth being as follows: Fidelia, Nov. 11, 1812; Ninetta, May 17, 1813; Henryetta, March 22, 1815; Horatio Gates, July 6, 1817; Phœbe, Oct. 1, 1818; Alonzo, Oct. 9, 1820; Philo, Jan. 1, 1822; Susan, July 28, 1825 ; Mahlon R., Aug. 27, 1826; Gidding H., Aug. 28, 1829. Mahlon R. was a lawyer in Stafford and later in Hartford, where he took first rank in the profession. He served as a representa- tive in the State Legislature, and on the board of aldermen in Hartford.

Philo West, the father of our subject, was born and reared at Stafford Springs, and in 1842, at the age of nineteen, he went to Hartford to en- gage in the trucking business. Later he became a partner in the firm of Main & West, who were for many years the leading truckmen of the city, keep- ing about thirty-five teams employed. After the death of his partner, Elijah J. Main, he continued the business alone until his death, which occurred Aug. 8, 1861. His influence was recognized in local affairs as well as in business circles, and politically he affiliated with the Democratic party. He was a leading member of the First Baptist Church of Hartford, contributing liberally of his time and means to its work. His wife, Abbie A. Main, was a daughter of Bradley Main, of Willington, Conn., and later of South Windsor, where he owned a large farm. Her mother, whose maiden name was Betsey Talmadge, was a daughter of Joseph Talmadge, a lieutenant in the Revolutionary army from New York State. Philo West and his wife had four children: (1) Addie E. married John D. French. and died in 1878, leaving two sons, J. Arthur and Howard W. (2) Estella L. married Benjamin S. Woodward, president of the Woodward & Rogers Co., of Hartford. (3) Frederick A. is mentioned more fully below. (4) Rev. William Ward West, a minister in charge of a Baptist Church in Pitts- burg, Penn., is a graduate of Rochester University, at Rochester, N. Y., and a bright and able man. He is president of the Baptist Young Peoples Union, of the State of Pennsylvania.

Our subject's early education was secured in the second North school and the Brown school of Hart- ford, and in Hannum's Business College, in the same city, while his habit of reading has kept him well abreast of the times. On leaving school, at the age of about twenty, he began to learn the ma- chinist's trade in the National Screw Co.'s factory, of which his uncle, Elijah S. Pierce, was superin- tendent and general manager. He remained there four years, and in 1878 entered the employ of the Pratt & Whitney Co., in the lathe department of the machine shop. After four years he took the con- tract for that department, of which he had charge until his resignation, about forty-five men being under his direction. After twenty-two years of service with the Pratt & Whitney Co., Mr. West re- signed his position as foreman of the lathe de- partment, and accepted a position as special agent of the American Real Estate Co., of New York,

with office in the Sage & Allen building, Hartford. Mr. West is not only successful in his chosen line of work, but he takes keen interest in public affairs He served two years as councilman from the Fourth: ward, and in 1898 was elected alderman, the honor being conferred each time by acclamation and with- out opposition. At present he is chairman of the joint standing committee on Water Works. He is a member of Charter Oak Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O F., in which he is past grand ; and he is past office: in the Ancient Order of United Workmen; and past regent of the Royal Arcanum. He has also been interested in military affairs, and has served as a corporal in the Governor's Foot Guard, and a lieutenant in the Veteran Corps. Mr. West is act ive in religious work as a member of the First Bap tist Church, is one of the society's committeemer and for twenty-two years has served as librarian.

Mr. West married Nellie M. Roberts, daughte of Albert W. Roberts, a well-known citizen of Hart ford, and four children have brightened their home Mabel Roberts, Clarence Burton, Robert Ward, an Helen Abbie (deceased).

WILLARD S. HENRY has in his successft career afforded a striking illustration of how life battle may be won by pluck, perseverance and prot ity. Though born a poor boy, and early obliged t meet the world's buffetings alone, he has conquere adversity through the innate force of an unconquer able will and an uncompromising resolve.

Mr. Henry was born at Cohoes, N. Y., No 20, 1853, son of John L. and Rebecca (Fonda Henry, who had a family of three sons and nir daughters. They were in straitened circumstance and when Willard was but ten years old his fathe enlisted in the 189th N. Y. V. I. Then the lad wer to work in the Condy Knitting Mills, Oswego, } Y., where he was employed most of the time fo about a year. During the next two years circun stances so favored him as to permit him to atter school, but at the end of that time he went back the cotton mill, to begin once more the same o daily grind.

In 1867 the Condy mill was burned, and tl proprietors rebuilt at Fulton, N. Y., and there Wi lard S. Henry faithfully toiled until 1873. In th year S. H. Condy, son of one of the owners, lease the Manchester Knitting Mills for a year, and M Henry accompanied him from Fulton. At the e piration of Condy's lease the plant passed into tl control of A. L. Clark, with whom our subject b gan as a knitter, and worked on in that capaci until 1881. His skill and experience as a workma joined to his industry and faithfulness, then earn for him promotion to the position of superintender and this position he has ever since filled wi- marked ability. From fifty to sixty employes (bo sexes) are under his immediate control, and t output-knitted underwear-is of a high grade excellence.

Willard S. Lury

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

On July 4, 1876, Mr. Henry was married to Iiss Emma L. Thompson, of Manchester, and of his union were born four children: Elizabeth, Ha- el R., George T., and John. The mother died July 0, 1893, and on Oct. 16, 1896, Mr. Henry wedded Iiss Gertrude Taylor. Mr. Henry is a Republi- an in politics, and socially belongs to Manchester odge, No. 73, FF. & A. M. He is a member of no hurch.

MANLIUS HINMAN NORTON, superin- endent of the H. J. Mills paper-box factory at Bristol, was born in that city, Aug. 12, 1866, a son f Leonard Andrew Norton, and a brother of Milo Leonard Norton, in whose biography elsewhere will e found the ancestral history of the Norton family s far back as the time of Henry VIII of England. The record here will be confined to that of the life f Leonard A. Norton and that of Manlius H., his on.

Leonard Andrew Norton was born in Bristol Aug. 9, 1813, and was reared a farmer. He mar- ied Aug. 22, 1847, Miss Martha Dewey, a native f New Haven, born May 5, 1823, a daughter of Christopher Dewey, and a descendant from the ame family from which the naval hero, Admiral Dewey, descends. She is the mother of two chil- ren: Milo Leonard, with whom she makes her ome in Bristol, and Manlius H., the subject of this ketch; one child, Emma Martha, was born April 3, 1853, and died Aug. 5, 1854. Leonard Andrew Norton, the father, was an early Abolitionist in his olitics, but changed as parties changed, later be- oming a Republican, and, still later, a Prohibition- st. In religion he was first an orthodox Baptist, ut perhaps thirty years prior to his dissolution he ecame a Seventh Day Baptist, and passed away in hat faith July 16, 1895.

Manlius Hinman Norton, after attending the Bristol common schools until fourteen years of age, worked in the S. Emerson Root brass factory about hree years, and learned electro-plating. He then tudied medicine two years under Dr. H. I. Brad- ey, of New Haven, but relinquished the study and eturned to Bristol to enter the employ of Benajah Hitchcock, paper-box manufacturer. A year and half later H. J. Mills and David Mix purchased he plant, and with these gentleman Mr. Norton re- lained, Mr. Mills eventually purchasing the entire stablishment. In 1887 Mr. Norton was appointed eneral superintendent of the factory, which position e still fills in a most able and satisfactory manner, aving the management of about thirty hands and manufacturing paper boxes of every variety and for very conceivable use.

Manlius H. Norton has twice married, first Nov. 4, 1886, to Miss Minnie Idella Dayton, who was orn May II, 1866, a daughter of Warren Dayton, f Wallingford. To this union were born two chil- ren : Howard Manlius, Oct. 16, 1888, and Irving Dewey, June 26, 1891. Mrs. Minnie I. Norton was

called away July 25, 1896, and for his second help- meet Mr. Norton married June 30, 1897, Miss Nellie Eva Brightman, who was born Jan. 13, 1875, a daughter of Edwin R. Brightman, also of Bristol.

In politics, to which indeed he pays but little attention, Mr. Norton is of Democratic inclining, and in 1899 was elected a member of the Borough Board of Assessors for one year. Fraternally he is a member of Ethan Lodge, No. 9, Knights of Pythias, Bristol, has passed all the chairs, and has been keeper of the records. In 1890, at the twenty- second session, in February, he was admitted a member of the grand lodge at Torrington, and in 1899 was commissioned deputy grand chancellor of the grand lodge, having Bristol, New Britain and Plantsville under his charge. In 1891 he joined Hull Company, No. 5, Uniform rank, K. of P., of Bristol; was elected recorder, then appointed regi- mental sergeant-major of the Second regiment, then second lieutenant, then first lieutenant, then major of the Second battalion, and in 1896 was elected · colonel of the Second regiment for four years.

Mr. Norton is also a member of Pequabuck Lodge, No. 48, I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand ; also of Ruth Rebekah Lodge, No. 24, ladies auxiliary of the 1. O. O. F., and of this lodge, to which his wife likewise belongs, he has been drill master for the past five years. Mr. Norton is also a member of the Knights of Khorassan, is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, in which he is a past chief ranger, and was a member of the Pilgrim Fathers, but has withdrawn. Mr. Norton was formerly connected with the Methodist Church, but owing to his Universalist belief he withdrew and continues in the Universalist faith. Mrs. Nor- ton is a member of the Baptist Church.

THOMAS FRANCIS EGAN, one of the best- known citizens of Southington, who is now 'serving as deputy sheriff and court officer of the common pleas court of Hartford county, was born in that town Jan. 10, 1854, and is a son of William E. and Catherine (Gorry) Egan, both natives of King's County, Ireland.

The father came to America in 1849, and located in southeastern Southington, where he was at first employed as a farm hand. The following year his parents, Thomas F. and Catherine (Larkins) Egan. also crossed the broad Atlantic and took up their residence in Southington, Conn., the grandfather of our subject being engaged in farming in the southeastern part of the town. His children were Michael; Ann, wife of Thomas Mahon; William E .; Thomas; James; Patrick ; and John. The ma- ternal grandparents of our subject were Daniel and Mary (Kelly) Gorry, of King's County, Ireland. During the Civil war the father of our subject en- listed in Company G, 9th Conn. V. I., and was mustered into the United States service as a private in October, 1861. He died at New Orleans, La., in August, 1862, from disease contracted in the

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army. In his family were five children who reached maturity : Thomas F., Daniel D., Joseph A., James C., and William E.

The early life of our subject was passed in Southington, and he received a common-school ed- ucation. On attaining his majority he began an apprenticeship to the cutler's trade, serving three years, and later he worked as a journeyman at that trade for four years. In 1881 he entered the employ of the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co., in the box depart- ment of their works, and has continued his connec- tion with them up to the present time.

On Feb. 18, 1878, Mr. Egan was united in mar- riage with Miss Ellen M. White, a daughter of John and Mary (Fox) White, of Ireland, and of the children born to them six are now living: Will- iam E., Catherine E., Anna T., Thomas F., Jr., John J. and Joseph. Mr. Egan and his family are com- municants of the Catholic Church, and he is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the An- cient Order of United Workmen. His political sup- port is given to the men and measures of the Re- publican party. In 1884 he was elected constable of Southington, which office he held continuously un- til June, 1895, when he was appointed deputy sheriff, which position he is now filling in a most creditable and acceptable manner. Since Jan. 1, 1899, he has also been court officer of the common pleas court at Hartford, and his official duties have always been most faithfully and conscientionsly discharged. He is a member of Samuel Woodruff Post, Sons of Veterans, and of the Southington Fire Department, Hook & Ladder Company, No. I, of which he was foreman from 1897 until October, 1899.

ANDREW SAMUEL DICKINSON, the owner of one of the best-kept farms in the town of East Windsor, Hartford county, descends from one of the oldest families in New England, but it will suffice the purpose of this sketch to state that his grandfather, John Dickinson, was born, lived and died in Haddam, Middlesex Co., Conn. He married Polly Archer, and to their union were born nine children : Amos, who was a sailor of Killingworth; William, who died at Deep River; Mary, Mrs. Ventress, who lived in Haddam; Hettie, Mrs. Will- jams, whose husband was lost at sea; Eli, who lived in Chester ; Nancy, who married Aaron Ayers ; Hannah, who with her husband died at Deep River ; Sophia, who became Mrs. Asahel Tyler; and Sam- uel, father of our subject.

Samuel Dickinson was educated in a public school, learned the trade of stone-cutting, and in his later years became a farmer, though he worked at butchering in the winter season. He married Miss Elizabeth Burr, who was born in May, 1825, and of whose family mention will be made farther on. To this union were born seven children, in the following order: Lydia, who was first married to George Burr, and after his decease to Joseph Spen- cer ; Andrew S., the subject of this biographical no-

tice; Eleanor, wife of Charles Johnson, of Dec River ; George, in Haddam; Mary, married to Me ritt Doan, of East Windsor ; Hattie, wife of Albe Brainard, of Haddam; and Ellsworth, of the san town. Samuel Dickinson, the father of this famil died in Haddam in 1864, from sickness contracte while serving in the Union army during the Civ war, and his widow is still a resident of that tow

Mrs. Elizabeth Dickinson is a daughter of Dav: and Polly ( Blatchley) Burr, and a granddaughte of David Burr, the former of whom served in th war of 1812, under Gen. Brainard, and was : Saybrook during the burning of the town of Esse by the British. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bui numbered seven, and were born in the followin order: Henry, who died in Haddam; Lavina, wij of Darius Skinner; Stephen, who married Fann Lane; Benjamin, in Haddam; Elizabeth, mother ( our subject; Lydia, of North Guilford; and L( ander, in Middletown.

Andrew S. Dickinson, the subject of this article was born in Haddam Nov. 26, 1848, and was edt cated in a public school. He lived with his pai ents until fourteen years of age, after which h worked three years for his uncle, Henry Burr, nex worked a while at Deep River, then went to sea and for five years sailed in the Atlantic coast trade contributing in the meantime to the support of hi mother, brothers and sisters. On returning hom from his seafaring life, he married, at East Windsor Conn., Oct. 9, 1873, Miss Ida Clark, who was bor March 2, 1854, a daughter of John and Elizabet' (Snow) Clark, natives of East Windsor. Mrs Elizabeth Clark passed away in April, 1887, and in June, 1889, Mr. Clark married Libbie Clark. T Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson have been born seven chil dren : Edna, born July 22, 1874, now the wife o Robert Wood, of East Windsor; Anna, born Oct 30, 1877, now living in Bridgeport; John S., bori Aug. 18, 1879; Mabel, July 2, 1881; Andrew C. Jan. 5, 1887 ; Harris C., March 20, 1891 ; and Imo gene, Aug. 14, 1895-all five under the parenta roof.

In 1876 Mr. Dickinson purchased his present farm of fifty-seven acres, known as the Capt. Oli- ver Clark farm, and on this he has made substantia improvements. He has the place under a high state of cultivation, keeps it neat and clean, and it is recognized as a truly up-to-date homestead. Mr Dickinson and his family worship at the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are regarded as among the most respected residents of the town. In politics Mr. Dickinson is a Democrat, and is very popular with his party, having been elected to the positions of constable and justice of the peace, but in each instance declining to serve. In 1872 he became a member of Central Lodge, No. 12, I. O. O. F., of Middletown ; in 1874 he joined Oriental Lodge, No. III, F. & A. M., of Broad Brook, in which he has held several prominent positions ; and he is also a member of the Grange. In the business sense of

J: Es. Mooney

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the phrase he is emphatically a self-made man, and well deserves the high esteem in which he is universally held.

WOODING BROS., AUGUSTINE F. AND RALPH A., manufacturers of saddlery hardware and harness trimmings at Kensington, in the town of Berlin, are self-made men, who have, through their own efforts, force of character, industry and ability, won their way to distinction and to a creditable place among New England's many prom- inent manfacturers.

The Wooding family is of English origin, the emigrant ancestor coming from England, and set- tling in the New Haven Colony early in its history. Andrew Horace Wooding, the father of the Wood- ing brothers, was a native of the town of Walling- ford, Conn., and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed as an occupation in the towns of Wall- ingford and Meriden, working as foreman for con- tractors. He married Lucy Angeline Warner, who was born in the town of Middlefield, Conn., and to them were born: Augustine F. and Ralph A., whose names introduce this sketch; and Bertrand, who died in infancy. The father died when the children were small, but the mother still survives, residing in Kensington, where her son Augustine F. makes his home with her.

Ralph A. Wooding was born Aug. 1, 1859, in Hamden, Conn., and his father's death, when the son was only ten years of age, early threw him upon his own resources. At this time he went to live with his step-grandfather, Squire Daniel Mer- riman Ives, a man of considerable local prom- inence at Yalesville, who was a justice of the peace for years, and postmaster. Young Wooding had attended school in Meriden, and on going to Yales- ville alternated his time with employment as a chore boy and going to school through the winter months. After a stay of a year and a half with his grand- father he went to Broad Swamp, town of Che- shire, where for a year he was similarly occupied, then returned to Yalesville. For several years fol- lowing he worked for various persons in Meriden, in the meantime attending school to some extent. Still later he again lived with Squire Ives, working on a farm. He was then employed for a time at Deacon Simpson's, by which time his mother and brother had gone to Kensington to live, and he joined them there, entering the employ of Hart, Bliven & Meade, to learn metal pattern-making ; after he was so engaged for some two and a half years the firm failed in business. Then, after six months' work making patterns for the Wilcox- Treadway Co., of Southington, Mr. Wooding be- came foreman of the pattern shop of the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co., successors to Hart, Bliven & Meade. In the meantime, however, owing to ill health, he ceased work for a time, and went with his mother and family to Bennington, Vt., where they remained a short time, all returning to Berlin. Our subject

resumed his position as foreman in the pattern shop of the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co., which he left about a year later to enter the employ of Charles Parker, of Meriden, following his trade as pre- viously, and assisting in inaugurating the lamp and chandelier branch of the business. He worked in the Parker factory several years, and during that time took out nine patents on lamps and chandeliers, and at this time he holds eleven patents on his own inventions. Later he became foreman of the pat- tern department of the Chapman Manufacturing Co., and for several years was foreman in the sleigh-bell department. He then returned to Ken- sington, and for a time was endeavoring to or- ganize a company there for the manufacture of saddlery hardware and sleigh-bells, failing in this because of the high price of land for shops. He again worked for the Chapman Co. at Meriden, resuming his former position as foreman in sleigh- bell and dog-collar pattern work. Some years later he went to Kensington, and, associated with his brother Augustine F., purchased what was then known as the Lower shop property, where they es- tablished works for the manufacture of dog col- lars, under the firm name of Upson & Wooding, Mr. Upson having become interested in the enter- prise. Subsequently the brothers purchased their partner's interest, and changed the style of the firm to A. F. & R. A. Wooding. Along in the nineties they discontinued the making of dog col- lars and began the manufacture of saddlery hard- ware, both plain and fancy, under the name of the Kensington Hardware Co. These gentlemen are public-spirited and enterprising, and in addition to their main manufacturing business they operate a smith shop. In 1896 they built a dam and water power on a portion of their property, and are now under a ten-years contract to supply the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad at Berlin with water for their engines.

On June 18, 1895, Ralph A. Wooding was mar- ried to Miss Angie Estella Alling, who was born in June, 1864, a daughter of Charles N. and Delia 1. (Baldwin) Alling. Mrs. Wooding is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a most estimable woman. In his political views Mr. Wooding is a stanch Republican, his father before him having been a Whig and Republican. He is now serving on the town committee and board of selectmen. In 1898 his name was considered in connection with his party's candidates for the State Legislature.

Augustine Francis Wooding, brother of Ralph A., was born Sept. 21, 1858, in the town of Berlin, and received his education in the common schools of Meriden, Cheshire and Wallingford, where he passed his boyhood. At the age of sixteen years he entered the employ of the Hart, Bliven & Meade Co., working in the shipping department, and con- tinuing in their employ until the company's fail- ure, some years later. He filled a similar position

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with the old company's successors, the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co., for three years following the failure. After this period he was unemployed for a year, then accepted a position in the shipping and bell department of the Chapman Co., of Meriden, re- taining it a year and a half. For the next two years he was with the Meriden Saddlery & Leather Co., after which he returned to Berlin and joined his brother Ralph A. and R. R. Upson in the enter- prise mentioned above, and which they have oper- ated alone since their purchase of Mr. Upson's interest a year later. These brothers own two very fine water privileges, only one of which is developed. A. F. Wooding is a stanch Republican in his po- litical views. At the present time he is serving, along with Francis Deming, as auditor of the Berlin Savings Bank. He is also secretary and treasurer of the Kensington Library Association. Mr. Wood- ing has never married.

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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 98

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