Commemorative biographical record of Hartford County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Pt 2, Part 104

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1172

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 2 > Part 104

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May 8, 1812, and died March 16, 1893. Her par- ents were Bushnell and Harriet ( Hart ) Woodruff, the former a son of John and Catherine ( Bushnell) Woodruff. John Woodruff was a son of John and Eunice (Wiard) Woodruff, and a grandson of Samuel and Rebecca (Clark) Woodruff. Samuel Woodruff was the first white settler in what is now the town of Southington. His parents were Mat- thew and Hannah Woodruff, the former of whom removed from Hartford to Farmington about 1640, and was one of the eighty-four proprietors of that town in 1672, having been admitted a freeman in 1657.

Our subject, who is an only son, was reared in Southington, and during his boyhood pursued his studies in the public schools and in the Lewis high school. At the age of fourteen he began his busi- ness career as an employe in the Capt. Savage bolt shop, where he remained two years, and then en- tered the general store of Joel Woodruff, as clerk, serving in that capacity seven years. The following ycar he spent as shipping clerk for the 11. 1). Smith Co., of Plantsville, and subsequently he was ship- ping contractor for the Atwater Manufacturing Co., for the same length of time. For a short time he was with the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co., and for two years was engaged in the manufacture of packing boxes. Later he was employed as shipping clerk and salesman for the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co., for the long period of seventeen years, and then traveled one year for the Dana Hardware Co. of Boston. Since 1895 he has been a traveling sales- man for George W. Woolley & Son, casket manufac- turers, of Hartford, and has most ably represented their interests on the road, having built up an ex- cellent trade.

On July 2, 1867, Mr. Stannard was united in marriage with Miss Frances M. Barker, a daughter of Charles H. and Mary ( Seymour) Barker, of Had- (lam, Conn. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and religiously he is a member of the First Baptist Church. He also belongs to Friend- ship Lodge, No. 33, FF. & A. M., and Unity Council, No. H. O. U. A. M. Hle was the first foreman of Fire Company No. i, of Southington, and after serving as such seven years was appointed second assistant engineer, in which capacity he served three years, being honorably discharged Sept. 22. 1893. Ilis pleasant, genial manner makes him hosts of friends, and he is very popular with his associates.

WILLIAM GAY HUMPHREY, a well-known resident of Canton, is a man whose integrity and genial nature have won for him the respect and friendship of all who know him. He is a farmer by occupation, having, since the death of his father, taken full charge of the family homestead, an eighty- acre tract, where he is engaged in stock raising, to- bacco growing, and dairying.

Mr. Humphrey comes of the best Connecticut pioneer ancestry, and was born May 31, 1860, npon

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his present homestead, son of Alfred F. and Lydia (Griswold) Humphrey, and a brother of George Franklin Humphrey. [An account of the ancestry will be found elsewhere.] He first attended the district schools of Canton, and later studied in Wilbraham Academy and a business college at Hart- ford. On Oct. 8, 1885, he married Miss Cora B. Case, daughter of George J. Case, and grand- daughter of Jarvis Case, and they have two chil- dren : Harold W. and Ruth Mildred. The family is popular socially, and Mr. Humphrey belongs to three different lodges, the A. F. & A. M., the Grange, and the Knights of the Maccabees. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church at Canton Center, and politically he is a firm Repub- lican, although he has never aspired to any office.

Mrs. Humphrey is a descendant of James and Esther Fithen Case, early settlers in Simsbury. These worthy pioneers had a son, Capt. Josiah Case, born in Simsbury, who settled in Canton about 1743, who had a son, Capt. Fithen Case, Mrs. Humphrey's great-grandfather. Capt. Fithen Case was born in what is now Canton, in 1758, and settled at East Hill, Canton, on the farm still owned by his grand- son, George Jarvis Case. He married Amarilla Humphrey, who was born in 1764, and died in 1845, and they had children as follows: Mariah, born in 1781, married M. Moses Case, and died in 1856; Fithen, born in 1784, married Statira Phelps, and died in 1853; Mamre, born in 1786, married Abra Phelps; Josiah W., born in 1790, married Agnes Case, and died in 1830; Salma, born in 1792, died in 1794; Lavinia Charity, born in 1794, married Col. Salmon Merrill ; Jasper, born in 1796, married Flora Humphrey; Melissa, born in 1799, married Ithuel Gridley; Jarvis, born in 1801 died in 1865; Julia, born in 1805, married Ithuel Gridley, who after her death married her sister Melissa.

Gen. Jarvis Case, grandfather of Mrs. Hum- phrey, resided on the homestead at East Hill, and was engaged in farming. He was made a brigadier- general in the State Militia in March, 1840. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, and politically was a Democrat, and took an active part in local affairs. In 1828 he married Lucia Adams, who was born in North Canton, daughter of Ezra Adams, and their children were as follows: Lucia Hellen, born April 13, 1830, died Oct. 13, 1885 ; Mary Jane, born May 15. 1832, died Oct. 15, 1853; George Jarvis, born Nov. 15, 1835, was the father of Mrs. Humphrey ; Anna L., born Jan. 12, 1839, married E. N. White, of East Hill, Canton; Ellen M., born Nov. 1, 1845, married E. E. Woodford, who died Aug. 6, 1879.

George Jarvis Case, father of Mrs. Humphrey, received his education in the Canton district schools and the Canton Center Academy, and has been en- gaged all his life in stock raising, dairying and to- bacco growing. In 1894 he bought the Harry Case farm of 240 acres, which he operates in connection with the homestead. He was a United States

gauger four years, and for ten years has been con- nected with the government weather bureau, still retaining the latter connection. Mr. Case is a Mason, belonging to Village Lodge, No. 29, A. F. & A. M. Mr. Case was married, in Meadow Plain, Simsbury, Feb. 20, 1861, to Sarah Ruth Case, daughter of Elam, and sister of John Elam Case, of Meadow. Plain. They had the following children : Alice M., born Aug. 16, 1862, died Dec. 26, 1863 ; Cora Belle, born May 23, 1865, is the wife of our subject ; George Burton, born Sept. 23, 1867, is a musician of Hartford.

WILLIAM FRANCIS TOLLES, an honored veteran of the Civil war, and a popular citizen of Plantsville, was born on West street, Southington, April 11, 1835, a son of Harry and Charlotte ( Hitch- cock) Tolles.

Mr. Tolles' father was a native of Bethany, Conn., and a son of Squire Tolles, in whose family were thirteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity. By occupation he was a farmer and sawyer. During the 'twenties he removed to Bris- tol, Conn., and in 1831 came to Southington, where he died in 1860, at the age of fifty-three years. For his first wife he married Charlotte Hitchcock, a daughter of Alfred and Rachel (Grannis) Hitch- cock, of Southington, and by that union two sons were born: William Francis, our subject ; and Horace A., who was a member of Company A, 7th Conn. V. I., under Gen. Butler, during the Civil war, and was killed at Bermuda Hundred. The second wife was Harriet M. Hitchcock, a sister of the first, and to them were also born two sons: Charles H. and Frederick D. The latter was also in the service for less than a year during the war of the Rebellion, and died in New York City, in June, 1865.

William F. Tolles grew to manhood in Southing- ton, and is indebted to its public schools and Lewis Academy for his educational advantages. At the age of seventeen he entered the employ of Henry A. Miller, a bolt manufacturer, and was with him and others in that line of business until after the break- ing out of the Civil war, when he enlisted, becoming a private in Company E, 20th Conn. V. I. He was promoted to corporal June 1, 1864, and later to cor- poral of the color guards, participated in all the engagements of his regiment, and was wounded in the battle of Bentonville. After three years of faithful and arduous service on Southern battle- fields he was honorably discharged, in 1865, and returned to his home in Southington. Since the war he has been engaged in farming, and in the fish and fruit business, and has also been in the employ of the Atwater Manufacturing Co., the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co., and since 1883 with the H. D. Smith Co., in the finishing department of their carriage hardware works.

On Feb. 15, 1860, Mr. Tolles was united in marriage with Miss Alice M. Finch, a daughter of

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Capt. James W. and Polly (Lowly) Finch, of Water- bury, and to this union two children have been born : Bertha A., wife of W. H. States ; and Mayme F. Religiously Mr. Tolles is an' earnest member of the Congregational Church, and socially is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fllows, the Daughters of Rebekah, and the Grand Army of the Republic, in which latter he is now ( 1900) serving as post commander. Politically he is a Republican, and for eighteen years has most creditably served as constable of Southington.

CALVIN L. TRACY was born Jan. 29, 1822, on his father's farm in the town of Bolton, Tolland Co., Conn., being the seventh in a family of nine children born to Calvin Tracy and his wife, Sarah Loomis, natives of Coventry, Tolland county. The other children were: Rosanna ( who married Asa Manley, and is now deceased), Barnabas, Ripley, Huntington, Mariah, Selden, Royal and Caroline E. Calvin L. is the only member of the family now living.

Calvin L. Tracy was yet a boy when the family moved to Columbia, Conn., and thence to Coventry. He remained with his father until he reached mature years, attending school during the winter months, and working on the farm through the summers, and enjoyed fairly good educational advantages, the instruction received at the common schools being supplemented by a course at a select school and at an academy. When aged nineteen he began teaching, employing the long summer vacations in working at the carpenter's trade. Six years were thus passed, and in 1847 (being then twenty-five years old) he was married to Hannah W. House, of Glastonbury, and removed to Rockville, where he worked at his trade for fourteen years. In 1861 he purchased his present farm of sixty acres, in the town of Man- chester, Hartford county, which has ever since been his home, and divides his time between farming and occasional carpenter work.

Calvin L. Tracy has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Hannah House, one of his former pupils, who bore him two children: Sarah is now the wife of George B. Greener, of Norwich, Conn., and Milton S. is superintendent of a hard- ware manufacturing company at Rocky Hill. The mother of these children died March 21, 1859, and on Jan. 31, 1861, he married her sister, Miss Martha J. House. To the second union have been born four children: Hattie, wife of Il. Il. G. Ingalls, a paper manufacturer of Castleton, N. Y .; John C., who conducts a jewelry store at Willimantic, Conn. ; Elbert H., who died in 1886; and Mary E., wife of Robert Richmond, of South Manchester, Conn., who holds a responsible position with Cheney Brothers.

Politically Mr. Tracy is a Republican, although for many years supporting the Prohibition party. He has never sought office, but served as justice of the peace for one term. He is a member of the First Congregational Church of Manchester, in

which body he has held various offices, among them being those of deacon and superintendent of the Sunday-school.

ANDREW J. KEENE, a well-known business man of Unionville, is a native of Hartford county, his birth occurring in Southington, May 15, 1874.

Patrick Keene, his father, was born in County West Meath, Ireland, and when a young man em- igrated to America, and took up his residence in Southington, Conn., where he worked as a moulder for Peck, Stow, Wilcox & Co., for thirty-eight years. He was a well-educated man, and was highly re- spected and esteemed by all who knew him. In Southington he married Miss Anna A. Brennan, who is still residing at that place. Of the twelve children born to them, our subject is the youngest, and only four are now living: Patrick F., whose present address is No. 19. Park street, Hartford; Mary A. and Margaret L., both of Southington ; and Andrew J., our subject.

Andrew J. Keene. beter known as "Doc," was educated in the North Center school of Southington, and for five years worked in the screw shop of the Southington Cutlery Co. Coming to U'nionville in 1893, he worked for his brother, Edward W., for three years, and on Feb. 28, 1896, opened the old "Brooklyn House" as a member of the firm of Keene & Haller. Six months later he purchased his part- ner's interest, and has since been alone in business. In October, 1898, he erected his present building, and has since engaged in the liquor business at that place. On Sept. 1, 1900, he bought the "Plainville Inn," in Plainville, Con. Although a young man, he has met with remarkable success in his business career, and has already become quite well-to-do. Socially he is a member of the Hartford Lodge of Elks, No. 19, and of the Foresters of America.

Mr. Keene was married at Unionville to Miss Mary A. Morrissey, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Morrissey, and they have two children: Joseph Andrew and Anna Mildred.

MARANTHON HI. KEENEY is a native-born son of Connecticut, having been born in Manchester Aug. 9. 1843. His father was Chauncey Keeney. a farmer, who was born in 1795, and died in 1850. His mother was Mary A. Case, who died in 1881. at the ripe age of seventy-three years.

Mr. Keeney can justly lay claim to being a mem- ber of a family distinguished for its patriotism. Five sons were born to his parents: Alvin, who died in childhood: Albert W., who served as a private in the roth Conn. V. I. during the war of the Rebellion, and is now a farmer in the town of Manchester ; Hiram G., a prosperous farmer of the same town: Amandar C., who was a private soldier in the 10th Conn. V. I., and fell Det. 0, 1864; and Maranthon HL .. a brief sketch of whose life and military service is given below.

The family took up their residence on the same

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farm where our subject now resides when he was a lad of eight years. It was there that he received his early education, in the district schools, and it was there that he grew to early manhood. In 1862 his soul had become so enkindled by patriotic en- thusiasm that he could remain at home no longer, and on Aug. 12, 1862, he joined the ranks of the privates in Company H, of the 16th Conn. V. 1. The regiment was mustered in at Hartford, prompt- lv sent forward to Washington, and received its first "baptism of fire" on the hard-fought field of Antietam. In that battle Mr. Keeney was wounded in the right forearm by a ball from a minie rifle. He was sent to the Lincoln hospital, at Washing- ton, and thence to the convalescent camp at Alex- andria, Va., but failing sufficiently to recuperate he was honorably discharged on April 2, 1863. Immediately thereafter he returned to the old farm, where he has lived ever since, and where he still is actively engaged in agricultural pursuits.

On Jan. 11, 1879, Mr. Keeney was married to Miss Susan F. Belknap, and ten children have blessed their union: Alfred H., Cassia M., Irving E., Wilmer E., Chauncey D., Jesse M., Sylvia A., Luna M., Warren B. and Loren A. Mr. Keeney is a Republican in politics, and a member of Drake Post, No. 4, G. A. R., of Manchester.

SHERWOOD FITCH RAYMOND, an active farmer, and one of the most successful and substan- tial men in Hartford county, comes of an ancestry devoted to agriculture, both his grandfather and fa- ther having been farmers.

Lemuel Raymond, grandfather of Sherwood F., was born in Huntington, Mass., and was an influen- tial citizen of Norwich (now Huntington). He married Miss Mary Raymond, who bore him one son, also named Lemuel, the father of Sherwood F. Lemuel Raymond (2) was born in 1796 at Colches- ter, Conn., was a thrifty and successful farmer, and was held in high esteem in the community in which he lived. He married Miss Minni M. Dowd, born in Madison, Conn., in 1804. Both he and his wife have entered into their reward, Mr. Raymond dying in 1860, and their remains rest in the cemetery at Colchester.

Sherwood F. Raymond was born Aug. 8, 1846, in New London, where his parents resided before removing to Colchester. His early education was obtained at the common schools of the last named place, and this training was supplemented by a two- years' course at Bacon Academy. Even here he showed that high order of intelligence and that deep devotion to principle which have characterized him through life, and have made him esteemed as a friend, a citizen and a man. On leaving school he returned to his father's farm, aiding in the farm work until he attained the age of twenty-one. Upon reaching his majority, however, in the strength and determi- nation of his strong young manhood, he resolved to set about hewing his own way through life, and

building his own fortune. Going from Colchester to Berlin he began farming on what was commonly known as the "Deacon Wilcox Homestead," which he later inherited from the Wilcox estate, and to which he has added by purchase until he now owns one of the best farms in the town of Berlin. Mr. Raymond has greatly improved the place, making it one of the most attractive homes on Berlin street, that thoroughfare noted for its handsome and pic- turesque residences. In addition +) his farming in- terests he is a director in both the Golden Ridge Creamery and the Mattabessett Canning Companies. The first-named was organized in 1890, and has an annual output of 7,000 pounds of butter, marketed in Hartford, Springfield, New Britain and other New England towns. The Mattabessett Co. was incorporated March 2, 1896, and sells its canned vegetables to jobbers in New York, Boston and Springfield. The concern also deals in corrugated iron to a considerable extent. In politics Mr. Ray- mond is a Republican, although his activity in busi- ness has prevented him from taking any prominent part in politics. He has never desired-far less sought-any office.

Mr. Raymond's character exhibits a rare com- bination of strength and flexibility, of shrewdness with generosity, of personal amiability with un- bending moral principle. Liberal in his benefac- tions, and broadly charitable in his judgment of his fellow men, hospitable, sympathetic, and ever ready to forgive, lie is fearless and uncompromising in his maintenance and advocacy of what he believes to be right. Since early manhood he has been a leading member of the Congregational Church, and his daily walk and life have constantly exemplified the sin- cerity and vitality of his religious profession.

The advancement of evangelical Christianity has been more to him than the hope or prospect of worldly gain, and his great influence with his fellow towns- men is due rather to his irreproachable character and blameless life than to the high order of mental ability and sound business sense for which he has always been distinguished. Yet, broad-minded and of aggressive individuality, he has not failed to stamp his impress upon the course of public af- fairs. In religious matters he has been promi- nent in both his Society and on the church commit- tee, and in January, 1899, was chosen a deacon. His strength-physical, mental and moral-as well as his worldly wealth, has always been at the com- mand of his Master.

HORACE J. WARD, Judge of the Probate Court, and a well-known resident of Riverton, is entitled to distinction as one of the most progressive and enterprising men of the town of Hartland, and is a worthy representative of a prominent and distinguished family that has been identified with the business interests of Hartford county for many years. Upon the commercial activity of a commu- nity depends its prosperity, and the men who are

IS herwood F. Raymond

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now recognized as leading citizens are those who are at the head of extensive business enterprises. The first of the Ward family to leave the old home in England and come to the United States were James and Michael Parker Ward, brothers, who were natives of Yorkshire, and had received only a limited education in the schools there, as their parents were poor. With the hope of better- ing their financial condition they came to America to seek their fortune, embarking on a sailing vessel in 1823. The younger, Michael Parker Ward, the father of our subject, was born in 1809, and there- fore was a mere lad when he landed in New York, a stranger in a strange land, without a shilling in his pocket. The captain of the ship, taking pity on him, gave him the hospitality of his home until he could make another trip to England, but the boy was ambitious, and did not wish to eat the bread of idleness, so started out to seek employ- ment. Visiting the towns along the Hudson, he at length found work in a calico printing mill, and as his employers noted his willingness to work he was soon given a position in the color department of the factory, where he made himself generally useful. For a time he was employed as helper to the color mixer, who did not wish to impart to the boy the art of mixing colors, but Mr. Ward was very observant, and wishing to learn the busi- ness he used all possible means to secure an ex- cellent knowledge of the same. He studied hard at home during his leisure hours, and soon mastered the art. At the early age of twenty he was em- ployed as superintendent of a cotton printing mill in Hudson, N. Y., where he spent two years, hav- ing entire charge of all the departments during that time.

In 1831 Michael P. Ward removed to North Adams, Mass., and leased the calico printing min of Turner & Laflin, who were doing an unprofitable business, and in connection with his brother James formed a partnership under the name of John Ward's Sons. Their great energy and business ca- pacity soon brought them success, and in the space of three years their profits exceeded $60,000. At the termination of three years, Turner & Laflin not wishing to extend the lease, the Wards were com- pelled, in order to continue their business, to lo- cate elsewhere. Consequently, in 1836, they came to Hartford county, Conn., and at Riverton, town of Hartland, constructed a calico printing mill, in which they invested $60,000. Here business was carried on under the firm name of John Ward & Sons, the father, John Ward, having come to Amer- ica in 1830. He was superintendent of the outside part of the business. He spent the remainder of his life with his sons, and died in Riverton in 1863. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious be- lief an Episcopalian. In his family were seven children : Four sons-James, Peter, Michael Par- ker and Charles-and three daughters, all of whom canie to the New World and died here.

The firm of John Ward & Sons met with re- miarkable success, doing a business of over $400,000 per year. However, one of their agents in New York embezzled $75,000, which, on account of the stringency of the money market at that time, crip- pled their business for a time, and forced the firm into an assignment ; yet the business was continued under their management, and finally all claims were adjusted satisfactorily with all creditors. The busi- ness was continued until 1852, when, on account of lack of transportation facilities, the long distance that the freight had to be carted, and the great changes that railroads brought about, and the gen- eral trend of business, the firm was dissolved.

Upon the dissolution of the firm, Michael in- vested extensively in Western lands and securities, which netted a good profit. He lost a large amount by the great Chicago fire, but his losses did not dis- courage him, and he finally overcame all obstacles in the path to success. In 1855 lie organized the Eagle Company of Riverton, Conn., manufacturers of all kinds of grass and grain scythes, corn knives and grass hooks, of which he was president. man- ager and agent for many years, and one of its di- rectors during the whole period of its existence. The success which this company enjoyed, and the reputation of their goods, were in a good measure due to the foresight and business judgment of its founder. This company retired from business in 1894, returning to the stockholders full payment for their stock and a handsome dividend besides. Mr. Ward was also interested in the lumber indus- try in the West, for a number of years operating four steam sawmills, and also an extensive flour- mill.

Michael Ward was a man of exceptionally good business ability, a keen observer, and a fine judge of character. Ile made and lost three fortunes, yet he managed to save enough to keep him in comfort during his declining years, and leave his family well provided for by his judicious investments. He was well known throughout the New England States as a prudent and capable business man, whose word was as good as his bond. Kind and genial in disposition, he made many friends, and had the happy faculty of being able to retain them. He served as selectman of the town and represented Hartland in the State Legislature, and could have held any office in the gift of the people of his community, but his ambition was not along po- litical lines. Ile was a supporter of the Republican party, and a consistent member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Ward died at his home in Riverton in 18:4. honored and respected by all who knew him. and he was laid to rest in Riverton cometers. In North Adams, Mass., he had married Miss Sarah Ormold, a native of Lancashire, England, who died in 1888, and was also buried in Riverton contery. She was a good Christian woman, a consistent men- ber of the Episcopal Church. To this worthy couple were born thirteen children : Saralı, de-

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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 2, Part 104

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1172

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1172