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 109

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 109

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OLIVER THOMAS BISHOP is one of the foremost citizens of the town of Avon, where for years he has been prominent in both business and civic circles as one of the ablest and most progressive citizens in the community. He is a native of the town, born Feb. 18, 1833, and comes of a family whose members have always been identified with the best in social and public life in Hartford county, taking an active part in the advancement of local interests, and distinguishing themselves for public spirit and intelligence as citizens and in the conduct of their private affairs.

Mr. Bishop's grandfather, Thomas F. Bishop, was a lifelong resident of Avon, which during his early life was included in the town of Farmington. When but fifteen years old he entered the service of his country as a soldier in the Revolution, serv- ing for three years in that struggle, and he took part in the besiegement of Cornwallis, at Yorktown. Thomas F. Bishop was a large land owner, and engaged extensively in dairy farming and stock rais- ing, which he followed principally all his life. He was a strong Whig in political sentiment, and though he never sought or held office he wielded a marked influence for good in his neighborhood as a citizen whose opinion was highly valued. He always commanded deep respect wherever he was known, and bore a high reputation for honor and integrity in all his dealings with his fellow men. Mr. Bishop was married in Avon to Miss Lucy Foot, and they became the parents of eleven chil- dren : Stella, who married Chester Woodford ; Ben- jamin, who married Betsey Woodford; Delia, who became the wife of George Woodford; Samuel, who married Minerva Woodford; Jacob, who married Diana Frisbie ; Jeffrey, who married Dolly Wood- ford; Lucy, wife of Hiram Andrews; Thomas N.,

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father of our subject ; Gedor P .; Adeline, who mar- ried Albert Bissell; and Joseph, who married Zer- viah Woodford. The parents of this family both passed away in 1851, the father at the ripe age of eighty-eight years, and their remains rest in Cider Brook cemetery. In religious connection they were members of the Congregational Church, and they took a zealous interest in the advancement of the Kingdom and all religious enterprises.

Thomas N. Bishop was born June 2, 1804, in the town of Avon, and there, on the old home- stead, passed his entire life. He received his edu- cation in the district schools of the home neighbor- hood, and took up farming as his life vocation, he and his brother Gedor Pitt operating 200 acres of land. In addition to general agricultural pursuits he was engaged in teaming, dairying and stock dealing, and he made a signal success of all his un- dertakings, acquiring in his busy life a handsome competence. His ability and good judgment gained for him the confidence of his fellow citizens in the town, and he was honored with election to various offices of trust, serving faithfully as selectman and in other important positions. In 1850 he repre- sented Avon in the State Legislature, discharging his duties in that incumbency with the same re- gard for the wishes of his constituency as he dis- played lesser offices, and he lived an upright, con- scientious Christian life, earning and retaining the highest esteem of all with whom he came in con- tact, in any of the relations of life. He possessed a genial, sociable disposition, which won for him friends on all sides, was temperate in all his habits, and with a character strong and a high sense of duty was in every way fitted for the important position he occupied among his fellow citizens. He was married in Farmington to Miss Sally Andrews, and their union was blessed with four children: Oliver Thomas; James N., who occupies the home- stead; Fanny, wife of Charles H. Miller; and Jef- frey, who was drowned when eleven years old. The father passed away in 1864, in his sixtieth year, the mother on Oct. 18, 1893, at the home of her son, Oliver, in Avon, and they were buried in Cider Brook cemetery. Mr. Bishop was a Whig in po- litical affiliation. Mrs. Bishop was a woman of fine Christian character, devoted to her home and family, and beloved by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance.

Oliver T. Bishop received his primary school- ing in the home district, later attending the Con- necticut Literary Institute, Suffield, and West Hart- ford Academy, where he received a thorough, prac- tical training for the business of life. He was reared to farm life, remaining on the home place until 1875, he and his brother James undertaking the man- agement of the farm after their father's death. Mr. Bishop has since made his home at the Center, where in 1881 he embarked in the mercantile busi- ness with which he has ever since been connected, at first in company with George N. Phelps, with

whom he was associated for six years. In 1887 he bought out Mr. Phelps' interest in the store, which he conducted alone until 1898, when liis nephew, Harry P. Bishop, was taken into partner- ship, and they are now doing business under the firm name of O. T. Bishop & Co. The business has always remained at the original location, and though he entered mercantile life without any pre- vious knowledge of its demands, or experience of any kind in that line, Mr. Bishop has niet with flattering success, a success which, if it stood alone, would do him great credit. But it is not alone as a general merchant that lie has attained a prom- inent position in this locality. He has become in- terested in the tobacco business, and as a member of the firm of F. Ripley & Co. has given the sanie careful attention to that line which won him suc- cess as a storekeeper. Though it would seem that his commercial affairs were sufficient to absorb all his time and attention, Mr. Bishop has found time to serve his fellow men to an unusual extent, and his executive ability and capacity as a manager have been of great value to the town in which he has passed his busy life, for he has been called upon to serve in every office in the gift of his townsnien, and it is needless to say has given universal satis- faction as a public servant.

Mr. Bishop was first appointed postmaster under President Arthur, and served four years, was re- appointed in the Harrison administration, serving four years, and is now filling his thurd term in that incumbency, with the same efficiency which char- acterizes all his work. He has held the offices of selectman, chairman of the board, justice of the peace for many years, tax collector for eight years, member of the board of relief, school visitor, clerk of the school committee, town treasurer for several years-an office he still fills-and notary public since 1886. In 1876 he was elected town clerk, and served for ten years consecutively, and receiving re-elec- tion to that position in 1892 has hield the office ever since, in every instance discharging nis duties in a manner which could not fail to win the approval of all concerned, and never disappointing lis sup- porters as a consistently public-spirited and trust- worthy man, working for the welfare and advance- ment of his town in any capacity. He has always been a friend of education, and gives his hearty sup- port to any measures which he believes will benefit the public schools. In 1860 Mr. Bishop represented the town of Avon in the State Legislature. It would be difficult, indeed, to find a citizen better known or more highly respected throughout his part of Hartford county, and it is conceded by all that Mr. Bishop has fully deserved the high stand- ing he enjoys in the community, for he has been devoted to its interests from early manhood, and lias done all in his power to give Avon a place among the most progressive and well-improved towns in the county. Like his father before him, he has a pleasant, friendly disposition, which has

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gained for him hosts of friends wherever he goes, and his personal worth has gone far toward strengthening the position which his intellectual ability has won. He is liberal in religious matters, endeavoring in his dealings with his fellow men to follow the Golden Rule. Politically he has always been an ardent Republican, and an active worker in the ranks of the party. He is thoroughly fa- miliar with matters pertaining to his town, county and State, and, keeping abreast of the times, is well informed on leading public events.

In 1875 Mr. Bishop was united in marriage, at Beverly. Mass., with Miss Frances E. Prince, a highly educated and cultured lady, who was born Aug. 6, 1847, in Beverly, daughter of Warren Prince, of that town. She was a school teacher before her marriage. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bishop: (1) Mabel L., born in 1878, received her early education in the private and district schools of Avon, was graduated from McLean Seminary in 1895, and with the class of '99 from Wellesley (Mass.) College ; she has high literary attainments. (2) Elsie P., born in 1880, attended the district and private schools, and in 1897 was graduated from McLean Seminary; she is specially proficient in painting and music, and gives promise of talent as an artist. (3) Carlton T., born in 1882, attended the district schools, grad- uated from Williston Academy, East Hampton, Mass., in 1900, and in the fall of that year entered Yale College; he is quite a student of mathematics. The family occupy a high position socially, and their home is one of the most desirable and pleas- ant in the town, being the center of a delightful and refined hospitality.

HON. MARTIN W. FRISBIE, one of the leading and influential agriculturists of Southing- ton, was born in that town Oct. 29, 1840, a son of Martin and Sarah (Moore) Frisbie. The father, a prominent farmer of Southington, was also born in that town Oct. 12, 1803, and spent his entire life on the old homestead. He was married Sept. 23, 1827, to Sarah Moore, and to them were born five children: Martin and Sylvester, both deceased ; Thankful, deceased wife of Frank B. Hays; Sarah L., who married (first) William H. Harrison and (second) Edward W. Twichell; and Martin W., our subject.

Ichabod Culpepper Frisbie, the paternal grand- father of our subject, formerly of Bradford, Conn., located in Southington, where he was married, Dec. 15, 1785, to Thankful Moss, a daughter of Elihu and Esther (Clark) Moss. To them were born seven children: Sylvester; Amon; Sarah, wife of Root Gridley; Lucy, wife of Chauncey Porter; Phila, wife of Hopkins Carter; Samuel; and Mar- tin. Ichabod C. Frisbie was in the Revolutionary war. He represented the town in the Legislature, and held many positions of trust.

Roswell Moore, the maternal grandfather of

our subject, was born in Southington June 23, 1761, and was married Oct. 8, 1787, to Lovina. Phillips. He was a prominent man of his town and held many important offices, representing Southington in the Legislature for twenty-one sessions, and serving as justice of the peace for many years. He died April 9, 1847, his wife on July 25, 1843. His father, Ros- well Moore, Sr., of Shuttle Meadow, was born in East Windsor May 17, 1728, and made his home near Shuttle Meadow Lake. He was married June 30, 1755, to Desire Dunham, a daughter of Gideon Dunham, and died Dec. 13, 1794. He was a son of John Moore, who was born March 21, 1694, and was married Dec. 2, 1724, to Abigail Stoughton. For several years he made his home in East Wind- sor, Conn., but died at Lake George, N. Y., Aug. 12, 1758. His father, John Moore, was born in Windsor June 26, 1665, and was married Feb. 8, 1693, to Abigail Strong. He made his home in East Windsor. He was a son of John Moore, who was born in Windsor Dec. 5, 1645, and lived and died there. On Sept. 21, 1664, he married Hannah Goffe. His father, who also bore the name of John Moore, was the founder of the family in the New World, locating in Dorchester, Mass., in 1630, and in 1635, was among the first to locate in Windsor, Conn. He was frequently called upon to serve as juror, was deputy to the General Court from Wind- sor in 1662, 1665, 1667 and 1674, and was a prom- inent man of his day and generation. He died Sept. 18, 1677.

Martin W. Frisbee, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared on the old homestead, and pur- sued his studies in the public schools of the neigh- borhood and later in Lewis and Bacon Academies. Throughout his entire business career he has fol- lowed the occupation of farming, and has met with well-deserved success in his labors. During the Civil war, he laid aside all personal interests, and on August 8, 1862, enlisted in Company E, 20th Conn. V. I., with which he served as corporal for three years, participating in all of the engagements in which the regiment took part. He was hon- orably discharged at New Haven, in June, 1865, and returned home to resume the more quiet pur- suits of farm life.

Mr. Frisbie has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Julia Bradley, and his second Miss Charlotte Carter, a daughter of Charles and Lydia (Upson) Carter. By the second union he has four children : John C., Martin M., Sarah E. and Lena. Religiously he is a member of the First Congrega- tional Church of Southington, and fraternally he is a member of Trumbull Post, No. 16, G. A. R., of the same place, of which he is past commander, and also of Union Grange, P. of H., of which he was the first master. He has been a member and chairman of the board of relief of Southington for many years, and represented the town in the State Legislature in 1879 and 1880. In all the re- lations of life he has been found true to every trust

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reposed in him, and as an honored citizen and rep- resentative man of the community he is worthy the high regard in which he is uniformly held. Po- litically he is a Repub.ican.

DAVID H. CARRIER, a successful agricult- urist of Glastonbury, is one of the representative self-made men of that town, and holds the esteem and confidence of the community in a marked de- gree.

Mr. Carrier's ancestors were early settlers in Col- chester, New London Co., Conn. Thomas Carrier, with his sons Richard and Andrew, took up claims there about the year 1700, coming from Andover, Mass., where Martha, his wife, was executed as a witch in 1692. Thomas Carrier had belonged to the bodyguard of King Charles I of Great Britain, and was notorious for fleetness of foot even after he was more than one hundred years old. He was a Welshman, and it is claimed by his descendants that he was 113 years old at the time of his decease, May 16, 1735. Our subject is descended from his son Andrew, who married Mary Adams Jan. II, 1704. In tracing the genealogy we find that Andrew Car- rier, Jr., was born Feb. 2, 1705, and married Ruth Adams Dec. 27, 1733. Samuel Carrier was born Jan. 6, 1739, and was married to Rebecca Rock- well Dec. 16, 1765. Nine children were born to them, the last one being Oliver, who was born Aug. 2, 1784. He engaged in farming in his native town, and died there Sept. 23, 1809. He married Jerusha Ingraham, a near relative of the noted pioneer in clock manufacturing at Bristol, Conn., and they had three children : Joseph, our subject's father ; Emily, who married Bishop Root, of Hebron, Conn., both now deceased; and Oliver, a farmer, who died in Colebrook, Conn. The mother for her second hus- band married Benjamin Root, of Hebron, Conn., and they reared a family of five children.

Joseph Carrier was born July 18, 1805, in Col- chester, Westchester Society, New London Co., Conn., where he was reared, receiving the average education given to boys of his day. As a young man he followed the blacksmith's trade, but much of his life was spent in farming, at West Hartland, Conn. He was noted for the success he had in bringing to a stage of productiveness a run-down farm, several farms of that town having felt the quickening impulses of his ability. He was one of the leading citizens of the town in his day, holding various local offices, and serving as a representative in the State Legislature in 1854. He died March 9. 1886. Joseph Carrier married Chelsea M. Hux- ford, who was born in Marlboro, Conn., Feb. 8, 1807, a daughter of Gamaliel and Chelsea (11os- ford) Huxford, the former born July 6, 1779, the latter on Aug. 9, 1782. Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812, stationed at New London, Conn. Joseph and Chelsea M. Carrier had the following children : Selden, a blacksmith by trade, who settled in West Hartland, where he died; David H., men-

tioned more fully below ; Miletus, who served in the Civil war, in Company E, 25th Conn. V. I., and died July 15, 1863, in New Orleans, of wounds re- ceived in battle at Port Iludson; Joseph, who set- tled in the West; Dudley, now residing in Middle- town, Conn .; Samuel, who occupies thie old home- stead in West Hartland; and Lorintha, who mar- ried George F. Clark, now of Granby Station, Connecticut.

Our subject was born Feb. 25, 1830, at West Hartland, where he attended a district school and the academy during boyliocd. Ile remained at home until he attained his majority, when he went to Windsor, Conn., and secured employment as a farm hand. Proving himself a good worker and an efficient manager, he soon became foreman on a large farm belonging to Mrs. Susan A. Wilson, in that part of Windsor now known as Wilson Sta- tion. IIis wages were good for that time, ranging from $20 per month at the beginning to $28 per month as his responsibilities increased. . After man- aging Mrs. Wilson's farm for six years he rented it for three years, and in 1862 he purchased a part of his present homestead in Glastonbury, form- erly known as the "AAbner Mosley place." In his farming operations he has devoted special attention to dairying, and the cultivation of tobacco and gar- den vegetables. In the spring of 1879 he bought and moved to an adjoining place with twenty-five acres of land. Two acres more of meadow land were purchased in 1895, making a total of seventy- five acres in the farm. In politics Mr. Carrier is in- dependent so far as local affairs are concerned, but he is an earnest believer in the principles of the Prohibition party. He is a charter member of Glas- tonbury Grange, No. 26. P. of 11., and was the first master of same. He was one of the incorporators of the Patrons Mutual Fire Insurance Co., of Con- necticut, and is now a director and member of the executive committee of same. He and his wife are members of the First Baptist Church of Hartford. Since settling in Glastonbury the family have at- tended the Congregational Church in that place.

On April 26, 1859, Mr. Carrier married Miss Mary J. Spelman, who was born April 26, 1829, in East Granville, Mass., daughter of William H. and Jane (Clark) Spelman, natives of Massachusetts and Connecticut, respectively. He was a farmer and carpenter by occupation. They had three chil- dren William H., Cordelia Jane, and Mary J. ( Mrs. Carrier ) .

Mr. and Mrs. Carrier have had five children : Byron Spelman married Phebe Chapman, of Ilan- over, Conn., and resides in Manchester, where lie is engaged in mercantile business : they have four children, Helen, Gertrude, Raymond Chapman and Frederick Howard. Lucy Lorintha died Jan. 2.4, 1899, unmarried ; she was a graduate of the Con- nectient Literary Institute, Suffield, and became an accomplished woman, devoting her life to teaching ; she was an active member of the Grange, and was

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highly esteemed by a wide circle of acquaintances. Frederick Wilson also graduated from the Con- necticut Literary Institute, and then entered Brown University, Providence, R. I .; He died during his Sophomore year, at the age of twenty-three. Will- iam Harmon married Nellie Adeline Atwater, of Cheshire, Conn., and they have one child, William Harmon, Jr. George Huxford, who also graduated from the Connecticut Literary Institute, married Kate L. Dunham, of Hockanum. These two sons reside in Glastonbury, where they are engaged in farming upon the home acres.

SHERMAN BLAKESLEE. Everywhere in our land are found men who have worked their own way from humble beginnings to leadership in com- merce, the great productive industries, the manage- ment of financial affairs, and in controlling the veins and arteries of the traffic and exchanges of the coun- try. It is one of the glories of our nation that it is so. Prominent among the self-made men of South- ington is the subject of this sketch, now president of the Blakeslee Forging Co., and a prominent and enterprising citizen of Plantsville.

Mr. Blakeslee was born in Prospect, New Haven Co., Conn., Nov. 3, 1840, a son of Sherman and Nancy M. (Mix) Blakeslee. The father was born in Watertown, Conn., Sept. 5, 1815, and in early life was engaged in the manufacture of spoons at Pros- pect and later at Cheshire. At one time he was also interested in general merchandising at Cheshire and Yalesville. His children were Sherman, Lauren, George W., Mary E., and Laura E. Our subject is a descendant of Samuel Blakeslee, a native of England, and a blacksmith by trade, who came to this country and settled in Boston, Mass., about 1630, but later removed to New Haven, Conn. Manning Blakeslee, our subject's paternal grand- father, was a farmer of New Haven county, whose wife was Sally Wilmot. The maternal grandfa- ther of our subject, William Mix, lived at different times in Wallingford and Prospect, and was the first manufacturer of the Britannia spoon in Amer- ica. His wife was, in her maidenhood, Laura Hall, of Wallingford.

Sherman Blakeslee spent his boyhood and youth in New Haven county, where he attended the com- mon schools, and he began his business career as a shop land. In 1868 he located in Plantsville, and was associated with the firm of H. D. Smith & Co., as a contractor for the manufacture of car- riage joints, until 1877, when he embarked in the manufacture of carriage hardware and special drop forgings as a member of the firm of Blakeslee & Co. This firm existed until 1896, when it was incorpor- ated as the Blakeslee Forging Co., our subject being chosen president, in which capacity he still serves. To his able management is due the success of the enterprise.

Mr. Blakeslee has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Bertha Carroll, the second Miss

Olive S. Adams, a daughter of Orson S. and Eunice (Robbins) Adams, of Plantsville. By the second marriage he has one son, Dewey S., born Nov. 19, 1882. Mr. Blakeslee is an earnest member of the Congregational Church, with which his wife also unites, and also belongs to Friendship Lodge, No. 33, F. & A. M. His political support is always given to the men and measures of the Democratic party, and he is now efficiently serving as burgess of Southington.

BULKELEY. The Bulkeley family is traced back to a remote period of English history, and the name is derived from a ridge of mountains in the County Palatine of Chester, being originally spelled Buclough (larger mountains). The founder of the family was Robert Bulkeley, Lord of the Manor of Bulkeley. [For a detailed account of the different branches in England and Ireland see Chap- man's Bulkeley Genealogy, Lyson's Magnolia, King's History of Chester. ]

In Grammoret's "Memories" it is stated that Henry, first Viscount Bulkeley, married Lady Sophia Stewart, sister of the Duchess of Richmond. Of their daughters, the eldest married the Duke of Berwick, son of King James II and Arabella Churchill, sister of the great Duke of Marlborough. A second daughter married Lord Clare, ancestor of Marshall Thormond. This is the family of Talbot, Earls of Tyrconnel, a descendant of whom, Dick Talbott, founded the town of Ontario, named after him. Bulkeley ( Bedfordshire) descendants of Rev. Peter Bulkeley, founder of Concord, Mass., 1635. The family descended from Robert Bulkeley, Lord of the Manor of Bulkeley, County Palatine of Ches- ter, in the reign of King John, 1199-1216. Arms : sa, a chev., ar. between three bulls' heads ar., af- fronte. Crest, out of a ducal coronet or, rampant. Motto : Nec temere nec timide (neither rashly nor timidly).

The following is taken from family records :

Robert Bulkeley, Lord Buclough, County Che- shire, A. D. 1200.

William De Bulkeley.

Robert De Bulkeley, son and heir of William, married a daughter of Butler of Bewsey, Warring- ton. William De Bulkeley, 1302, married Maude, daughter of Sir John Davenport.

Robert Bulkeley owned Eaton in Davenham and Alstanton. His wife's name was Agnes.

Peter Bulkeley, of Haughton, married Nicols, daughter and heiress of Thomas Bird, by whom he had lands in Alpraham.

John Bulkeley, of Haughton, married Arderne, daughter and heiress of John Fitley, of Woose Salop.

Hugh De Bulkeley, of Woose, married Hellen, daughter of Thomas Wilbraham, of Woose.

Humphrey Bulkeley, of Woose, married Grisell, daughter and heiress of John Molton, of Mol- ton.

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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 109

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