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 117

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 117

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George Sylvester Lawrence, father of our sub- ject, was born in Nashua, N. H., Feb. 6, 1833. Throughout the greater part of his active business life he was engaged in lumbering, but owing to ill health he was finally obliged to turn his attention to farming, and is now living a retired life with our subject. On account of his health he removed to Lynn, Mass., when the Doctor was two years old, and two years later located on the original Law- rence homestead in Pepperell, Mass. After resid- ing there for a year he purchased a farm near that place, in the same town, and upon it made his home until 1898, since which time he has lived with our subject, in East Berlin, Conn. He was married, April 1, 1864, to Miss Cynthia Hopkins, who was born Nov. 14, 1847. In their family were only two children, the elder, Elsa Elizabeth, who was born Jan. 1I, 1866, dying at the age of six years, and her remains being interred at Hollis, New Hamp- shire.

Dr. Lawrence accompanied his parents on their various removals, and grew to manhood on the home farm. At the age of five years he began his education in the schools of Pepperell, Mass., and completed the high-school course at that place at the age of fifteen. He then entered Lawrence Academy, from which he was graduated in 1887, after pursuing both the classical and scientific courses. He entered Williams College, of Will- iamstown, Mass., and after leaving there became a student in the Medical School of Yale College, from which he was graduated in 1890. In August, 1889, he received the complimentary vote of the di- rectors of the New Haven Hospital, appointing him on the house staff, and he served there as house physician and house surgeon until February, 1891, when he was given a diploma by the directors. By a thorough education and his hospital experience he was thus well fitted to engage in private prac- tice. Coming to Southington, Hartford county, he had the practice of Dr. W. G. Steadman for eight months, and then returned home to take a much needed vacation. While there he took the examina- tion of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and be- came a "fellow" of that fraternity.

On Nov. 9, 1893, Dr. Lawrence was united in marriage with Miss Letitia Reeder, of New Hope,

Park Brewster

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Bucks Co., Penn., who comes of a very prominent family belonging to the Society of Friends, being a daughter of Eastburn and Eleanor (Kenderdine) Reeder. Her father was the first food and dairy commissioner of Pennsylvania, and is a very prom- inent man in that State. The Doctor and his wife have one child, Ruth Eleanor, born Nov. 14, 1898.

After his marriage Dr. Lawrence moved to Cromwell, Conn., Dec. 5, 1893, and purchased the practice of Dr. J. Francis Calef, now surgeon-gen- eral of Connecticut. The practice was so large that it was almost impossible for him to take care of it, and at length he was obliged to give it up, Feb. I, 1895, on account of ill health, selling out to Dr. Charles E. Bush. On Feb. 15, as a member of the staff of physicians and surgeons, he entered Crom- well Hall, a retreat for those suffering with mental and nervous diseases, and was connected with that institution until Sept. I. On Oct. 5, 1895, he opened an office on Wilcox avenue, East Berlin, but later moved to Grove street, which property he pur- chased in July, 1896. He has succeeded in build- ing up an excellent practice, which extends through- out East Berlin, Berlin, Westfield, West Cromwell, Rocky Hill, Beckley and Kensington, and he often receives special calls from Middletown and New Britain. He is consulting surgeon to the New Britain Hospital, and is medical examiner for all of the old line insurance companies doing business in his territory. He has been eminently successful, in his chosen calling, has established a very large private practice, and is exceedingly popular with his patients and fellow townsmen.

Dr. Lawrence is a trustee and prominent mem- ber of Mattabessett Lodge, No. 25, K. P., of East Berlin; is a member of the D. E. I., of Yale Uni- versity ; and also of the Yale Medical Associa- tion, and the Connecticut Medical Society. Polit- ically he is a Republican, but votes independent of party lines at local elections, and is a member of the consolidated school committee. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Church of East Berlin, while his wife is connected with the So- ciety of Friends.

D. C. Y. MOORE, M. D., was born at New Boston, Mass., July 24, 1869. He grew to early manhood at Robertsville, Conn., to which place his parents had removed when he was a child of two years, and his early education was begun at the common schools of that town, and carried on at the high schools of Winsted and Torrington, being completed at the University of New York.

At the age of eighteen our subject began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Walter Holmes, then a resident of Riverton, Conn., but now practicing at Chester, Vt., and remained under his preceptorship for three years, during the last two of which he was principal of an academy at New Greenwoods. Dr. Holmes was a practitioner of the Allopathic school, but his young student had devoted

not a little time and thought to the consideration of the principles underlying the teachings of Hahne- mann. Therefore it came about that when he was prepared to matriculate at a medical school he se- lected the New York Homeopathic Medical Col- lege, entering that institution at the age of twenty- two, and graduating in 1895, having taken a four- years course. The eighteen months succeeding graduation he spent as an assistant in the Flower and Brown Streets hospitals, New York, and in May, 1897, he entered upon practice in his native State, and in the following September he located permanently in South Manchester. For two years he has practiced in that town with marked success, the number of his patients constantly increasing. Although yet a young man he has achieved reputa- tion alike among his professional brethren and his patients. He is a member of the State Homeopathic Medical Society.

Dr. Moore is connected with Phoenix Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of New Hartford, and is a member of the King David Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Manchester. His religious creed is that of the Congregational Church, with which he is united.

On May 30, 1895, the Doctor was married to Miss Ida M. Quilter, of Hartford.

HORACE BOWER, deceased. While childhood and youth have their distinctive charms, a greater interest invests, to the thoughtful mind, a personality which has garnered up the wealth of long ex- perience, and carries the impress of years of useful activity. The subject of this biography, who at- tained the good old age of ninety-four, was one of the most highly-esteemed residents of Windsor, he and his estimable wife passing the afternoon of life in comfort in the same house which they occupied during their sixty-four years of happy wedlock, and enjoying better health than many people of middle age. Mr. Bower, during his ninety-third summer, mowed regularly the public green in front of his home, "just for exercise." His hand was steady, his step firm, and except for impaired eye- sight he showed few signs of his years.

Mr. Bower was probably of German descent in the paternal line, although according to some au- thorities the family originated in Holland. The name was variously spelled in the early days, ap- pearing in the records most frequently as Bower, Bowers or Bowe, and the first ancestor of whom we have any account was John Bower, who came to Windsor. John Bower, our subject's grandfather, was a well-known citizen of East Windsor in his day

John Bower (2), the father of our subject, was born in East Windsor, and for many years carried on business in Windsor as a shoemaker, work of that sort being then done exclusively to order in custom shops. In politics he was a stead- fast supporter of the Democratic party. He lived to the age of eighty-nine years, while his wife,

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Ruby Palmer, a native of Pigeon Hill, in the town of Windsor, was eighty-four at the time of her death. The remains of both now repose in the cem- etery at Windsor. This worthy couple had five children: Fanny, Mrs. Roswell Blodgett, who re- sided with our subject for eleven years previous to her death; Sydney, deceased, formerly a prominent resident of Windsor ; Cynthia, who married Horace Barker, and died in West Suffield ; Horace, our sub- ject ; and Anson G., a shoemaker by trade, who died in DeKalb, Ill., some years ago.

Our subject was born July 18, 1805, near Wind- sor, and his education was limited to the schools of that locality, his natural abilities enabling him, how- ever, to make good use of his opportunities, such as they were. As he was always fond of reading, inntil his eyesight began to fail, he kept well-posted on current topics. As a young man he engaged in shoemaking with his brother Sydney in the build- ing which he afterward remodeled for his residence, and about 1830 they purchased land near Windsor village, where they carried on farming for some years. In 1849 they divided the property, which had by that time become very valuable, and our subject retired from the shoemaking business in order to give his attention to the work of opening a new addition to the village. He laid out a number of building lots, Prospect street running through his tract, and the prices received demonstrated his sound judgment in undertaking the enterprise. As . an ardent Democrat he always took keen interest in local affairs, and for twenty-two years he served as town clerk, having succeeded his brother Sydney at the latter's death. For some time he was school committeeman, while he filled the office of town treasurer until he declined to serve longer. As an official he was painstaking and faithful, and his ability and zeal in party work made him one of the most influential Democrats of the locality. From 1840 he was a member of the Methodist Church at Windsor, and in 1843 he was appointed treasurer of that society, an office which he held continuously for fifty years, while he was a member of the board of trustees until his decease, March 18, 1900. In general church work he took an active part, espe- cially in his younger days, and his gifts as a musi- cian were made effective by his long service as a leader of the choir. Music was a delight to him from boyhood, and at an early age he began to play the violin, upon which he became a fine performer, but of late he had ceased to practice.

On Nov. 18, 1835, Mr. Bower married Miss Nancy A. Welch, and two children blessed the union : (1) W. H., born Jan. 14, 1843, at Wind- sor, went to St. Charles, Ill., at the age of eighteen. and engaged in the drug business ; for ten years he has resided in Windsor, being employed as a piano tuner by John M. Gallup & Co., of Hartford. He was married, in St. Charles, to Miss Emma Cham- berlain, by whom he has had two children, Fred- erick B. and Maud A. Frederick B., who has a

fine tenor voice and much talent as a musician, is organist of the Unitarian Church and superintend- ent of music in the schools of Manchester, N. H. He married Miss Frances L. Williams, of Windsor, and has one daughter, Clarice. Maud A. married H. L. Goslee, and has one son, Leonard B. (2) Nancy A., only daughter of our subject, married Anson H. Ellsworth, a prominent citizen of Fuller- ton, Neb., and her children are taking honorable positions in life, one of her sons being county clerk and another county surveyor.

Mrs. Bower, whose earnest Christian character was a strong support to her husband in all his work, was born in Windsor Jan. 23, 1814, daughter of Lemuel and Nancy (Benton) Welch, and died March 1I, 1900, just a week before our subject. Her father was a well-known tavernkeeper in Wind- sor. She had one brother, Lemuel A., who died in Windsor, and a sister, Julia E., a resident of East Granby, who married (first) Stanton Babcock, and (second) Richard Phelps, both now deceased.

HON. GEORGE WHITEFIELD PRATT (de- ceased), of East Hartford, was in his lifetime one of the most prominent and honored men of his day, as well as one of the most philanthropic and useful. He was born Jan. 29, 1812, in a house in Silver Lane that has long since been demolished, was named after the famous Methodist divine of the last century, and was a son of Eliab and Dorcas ( Williams) Pratt.

Deacon Eliab Pratt was born March 26, 1767, a son of Eliab and Margaret Pratt, and married Dorcas Williams Jan. 14, 1792. To that union were born nine children, as follows: Eli, Oct. 6, 1792; Emily, Dec. 21, 1793; Abner, Jan. 14, 1795; Solo- mon, April 20, 1796; Williams, Feb. 11, 1798; Dor- cas, July 23, 1799; Luther, Aug. 31, 1800; Mary, Jan. 8, 1803; and George W. The mother died July 12, 1849, at the advanced age of eighty-one years.

George W. Pratt was of the sixth generation in descent from John Pratt, a native of Hereford, England, who came to Hartford from the Massa- chusetts Bay Colony, with Rev. Mr. Hooker, in 1634, and the line of descent is through John, Jr., Jonathan, Eliab, Eliab, Jr., to George W. In 1681 John Pratt, Jr., came into possession of the strip of land on what is now Silver Lane, which has ever since been held by the Pratt family.

Until fifteen years of age George W. Pratt re- mained on his father's farm, receiving his education at the old Willow Brook school house, which stood in the middle of the road until 1830, and it is thought that his only surviving schoolmates arc Deacon Ashbel Brewer and J. Fitch Comstock. The chief products of East Hartford farms in the youth- ful days of George W. were potatoes, corn, rye, flax and wood, the culture of tobacco not then be- ing thought possible at the North. From the age of fifteen until he was twenty-one George W. Pratt

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served an apprenticeship in the jewelry establish- ment of Church & Rogers, in Hartford, then worked for some years for various other firms. In 1844 he went to New York, and took a position as travel- ing salesman for Nichols, Goodwin & Co., jewelers, on Maiden Lane. In 1851 he went into business as senior member of the firm of Pratt, Limbard & Co., at No. 22 John street, who did business as jewelry jobbers, and also had a jewelry factory on Elm street, and in this business Mr. Pratt re- mained until 1892. In the meantime, however, after twenty-two years' absence on the road and in New York, he had returned to the Connecticut homestead and made this his headquarters, his brother, Williams Pratt, who hitherto had charge of it, having died in 1866, after which date George WV. remained here, supervising his New York firm by mail or occasional visits in person.

In politics Mr. Pratt was a Democrat, and a very popular one. In 1873 his party sent him to repre- sent his town in the State Legislature, and so well satisfied were they with their choice that they re- turned him the following year, when the Legislature met for the last time in New Haven. During his second term Mr. Pratt was a member of the com- mittee on Banking. In 1874-75 he was on the State Bridge Commission; in 1875 he was first selectman, and was on the board the ensuing year ; in 1876 and 1877 he was a grand juror. He was a member of the building committee of the Hock- anum Congregational Church.

Mr. Pratt had many entertaining reminiscences of the old days back in the dim dawn of the cen- tury. One bright June morning, when he was five years old, he was watching his father's men swing- ing their scythes in the meadow grass when a queer little craft with crazy, top-heavy paddle boxes, came puffing up the river. It bore the name "Experiment." The little boat was probably the first to steam on the Connecticut river. When LaFayette journeyed from Boston to Hartford by stage, in 1824, he took dinner at the tavern which is now the house of . Henry R. Hayden. Henry Phelps was the tavern- keeper. It was raining when the huge coach with its four panting horses came to a stop. Mine Host Phelps was at the block, and escorted the venera- ble patriot into the building, where doubtless both were refreshed by a comfortable toddy or two.

In 1825 there was but one painted house on Sil- ver Lane. The others were au naturel. In a few years. however, the white with green blinds, which for fifty years was the only combination, began to come in. Mr. Pratt recalled when pickerel and rock perch were thick in the Hockanum river, and on one occasion he caught seventy-two shad in the stream back of Sam Forbes', with but one cast of his net.

Mr. Pratt was twice married, in 1833 to Mary Morris, of Wethersfield, who died without issue in 1875. In 1876 he married Anna Hills, born Sept. 17, 1854, a daughter of Frederick W. and Jane

(Pratt) Hills, and to this marriage were born three children : Anna, born Feb. 11, 1881, still under the parental roof, who is a musician of more than ordi- nary ability; Lena W., born Feb. 15, 1886; and George W., born May 20, 1889.

Mr. Pratt enjoyed excellent health during the latter years of his life, until about seven weeks prior to his death, which occurred in 1897. In alluding to this sad event, the "Jewelers Circular," of New York, of May 12, 1897, announced that "News was received in New York Monday of the death, in East Hartford, Conn., of George W. Pratt, one of the oldest jewelers of New York. Death was caused by no particular disease, but simply by the infirmi- ties of old age."

Mr. Pratt was a gentleman of whom any com- munity might well feel proud, and was one of the most prominent men of the town. He exerted an extended influence for good, and there was no move- ment for the benefit of his fellow men, that came within his cognizance, but found his ready aid, mor- ally and financially. He was a kind, loving and in- dulgent husband, a stanch friend, and left an un- sullied name as a priceless inheritance to his chil- dren. His remains rest in the East Hartford ceme- tery, and his memory is revered by the entire pop- ulation.

JULIAN N. PARKER, M. D., is the son of a farmer of Tolland county, Conn., having been born in Mansfield, July 3, 1840. His early education was received at the common schools of his native village, and at the Connecticut Literary Institute, Suffield, from which he was graduated with dis- tinction.

Dr. Parker had not yet attained his majority when the country was startled by the booming of guns in Charleston Harbor, and on Sept. 1, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company D, 21st Conn. V. I. After a few months service he was assigned to duty as hospital steward of his regiment and served as such until the close of the war, being finally mustered out at New Haven July 1, 1865. He participated in all the battles, sieges, skirmishes and reconnoisances in which his regiment was en- gaged, among the most noteworthy being the hard- fought battles of Fredericksburg Dec. 13-14, 1862, Drury's Bluff May 16. 1364, an1 Cold ilarbor June 5, 1864, and the tedious and memorable siege of Petersburg. After receiving his discharge he returned home and began reading medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Norman Brigham, of Mansfield, but shortly afterward matriculated at Yale College, graduating in 1868. The next two winters he spent at the College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, practicing his profession at Mansfield during the summer months, and in the autumn of 1869 he went abroad to continue his professional studies at the celebrated "L'Ecole de Medicine," at Paris.

On Dr. Parker's return to America, in the sum-

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mer of 1870, he established himself at Mansfield, where he continued in practice for two years, re- moving to Manchester in April, 1872. He has re- mained in the latter town since that date. He is enthusiastically devoted to his profession, is a hard student and a profound thinker, and that he has been eminently successful goes without saying.

Dr. Parker keeps the memory of his military service fresh through his connection with Drake Post, No. 4, G. A. R., of Manchester. He also keeps in touch with his brother practitioners through the County and State Medical Associations, of both of which bodies he is an esteemed member. Fra- ternally he belongs to Uriel Lodge, No. 3, F. & A. M., of Mansfield.

On June 8, 1871, the Doctor was married to Miss Caroline Shepard.

HECTOR CHAPMAN. The name Chapman is of Saxon origin, and is one of the many sur- names derived from trades or occupations, the word meaning market-man or merchant.

Robert Chapman, wno is supposed to have been the first of the name to come to America, was from Hull, England, and landed at Boston in August, 1635. In November of that year he settled at Say- brook, Conn., and on April 29, 1642, he married Ann Blith, who died Nov. 20, 1685. His death occurred Oct. 13, 1687, and according to family tradition, which fixes the date of his birth as 1616, he was over seventy years old. The subject of this sketch, a prominent business man of Glastonbury, is a direct descendant of William Chapman, an early settler at New London, Conn. The name of this pioneer first appears on the New London records in 1657, and at a meeting in 1663 the fol- lowing was entered upon the book of town grants : "William Chapman hath given him thirty ackers of upland bounded towards the South with Mr. Douglas his land and towards the east with the small brook that leads to Jordan river and towards the north with Arkanbukie Meadow and towards the west with a ledge of rocks and a tree marked on four sides." At a town meeting Aug. 25, 1691, it was "Voated that whereas William Chapman had formerly allowed him by the town three pounds for his sextons place the yeare, they now add thirty. shillings more and order him five pounds per year for sweeping the meeting house, and galleries and ringing the bell." He died Dec. 18, 1699, leaving an estate appraised at £28 os 6d. His will was signed April 1, 1669. His wife's name is unknown, but they had seven children, as follows: John, born November, 1653, living at Colchester in May, 1748, nearly ninety-five years old ; William ; Samuel, born 1665, died Nov. 2. 1758; Joseph, born 1667; Jere- miah, born 1670: Sarah; and Rebecca.

(II) William Chapman, son of William the pio- neer, is supposed to have settled in Groton, Conn., in 1690. Ile married Hannah Lester, daughter of Daniel Lester, about 1690, and had four children :

William, born March, 1691; Jonathan; Solomon ; Mary (whether she married or not is uncertain).

(III) Solomon Chapman married, but the name of his wife is unknown. Their children were: Jonah; Jonathan, who removed to Deerfield, Mass., married Susan Sweet, and had a family ; Solomon ; David; John; Samuel; William married a Miss Pease, and had several children; Lydia married Joseph Sweet; Betsey married a Mr. Harris; Susan married Jonathan Sweet; Phebe married Levi Hodge; and Sarah married Jonathan Chapel.

(IV) Jonah Chapman, son of Solomon, was one of the first of the name to reside in Glaston- bury. He married Lydia Taylor, and had chil- dren as follows: Amasa; Azel; Epaphras, born 1777; Betty married Jonathan Daniels, of Hebron ; Lydia married Daniel Hale; Sally, born March 5, 1767, married Frederick Goodrich; Susan married Aaron Loveland ; and Phebe died young.

(V) Azel Chapman, grandfather of our sub- ject, and son of Jonah, was a ship carpenter and lived in South Glastonbury. He died shortly before our subject's father was born, his death being caused by a fall from a mast of a vessel. He was married in 1789 to Nabby Hale, and had twelve children: Lovina, born December, 1790, died at fourteen years of age; Julia, born December, 1791, married William House; Alvan, born 1792; Electa, born Jan. 22, 1794, married Benjamin Taylor ; Orrin ; Anson, born May 17, 1798; Silas died young ; Silas (2) also died young; Nancy, born March 27, 18-, married Chester Hale; Ralph, born Feb. 2, 1802 ; Melinda married Arnold Keeney ; and Azel, our subject's father.

(VI) Azel Chapman was born March 17, 1808, in South Glastonbury, about three miles east of the South Glastonbury main road. His schooling was limited as his mother was left with a large family, and he was obliged to support himself from a very early age. He worked at various places, sometimes receiving harsh treatment which he did not deserve ; but being very industrious he nearly always had employment. He worked in Portland quarries for many years, and afterward bought a small farm in South Glastonbury which he oper- ated for about eight years. He then sold it to Ansel Chapman and removed to North Glastonbury, rent- ing a farm from Esq. Wells for about four years, and later he bought the Wells hotel and farm. In 1861 he discontinued the hotel business and de- voted his attention to farming until his death, which occurred Aug. 31, 1883. The old hotel is now oc- cupied by Charles Chapman as a residence. Azel Chapman raised the house one story, after he took possession, to accommodate his large trade. In his day it was the scene of a great deal of gaiety and pleasure, being on the road between New London and Hartford, where parties could con- veniently stop. Azel Chapman was married Aug. 6, 1828, to Eunice Atresta House, and had four children : Albert, born Feb. 1, 1830 (now deceased),

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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 117

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