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 12

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 12

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Edward J. Bulkley was born April 23, 1858. His early education was acquired at the public schools of Wethersfield, and also at the South school, in Hartford. He grew up on his father's farm, and for about a year, while yet a young man, worked as a clerk in Hartford, and also as assistant cashier for Brown & Thompson. Return- ing to Wethersfield he began farming in earnest, and this has been the occupation of his life. In addition to general and dairy farming he has de- voted much attention to tobacco culture, being the most extensive grower in the town. He has in- herited his father's sound sense and good judg- ment, and is to-day one of the foremost and most successful young business men of Wethersfield. He is endowed with immense native energy, to which is joined pertinacity of purpose and high moral courage. He is popular in the community, where his ability commands admiration, and his moral worth insures respect. He is genial and whole-souled, true to his friends and charitable toward all. He is treasurer of the school board, and in 1898 was elected a representative to the Leg- islature, on the Republican ticket, serving during his term in the House as member of the committee on Appropriation, a very important committee. He is a member of the Wethersfield Grange.

On April 28, 1886, at Wethersfield, Mr. Bulkley married Miss Jennie Sage, who was born at Middle- town July 3, 1863, a daughter of Franklin Sage, of New York. Mrs. Bulkley is a cultured lady, hos- pitably inclined. To this union one child has been born, Rachel Eugenie, who is a pupil in the high school. Mr. and Mrs. Bulkley are communicants of the Episcopal Church, of which he is junior warden.

JOHN FLAVEL BUCKLAND (deceased) was for many years a leading citizen of the town of East Windsor, and his life and character afforded an example worthy of emulation. Beginning his ca- reer as a poor boy, he made his own way to finan- cial success, while at the same time he fulfilled to the utmost his high ideals of citizenship, lending his influence to help forward the right solution of the problems of his day.

Mr. Buckland came of good old Vermont stock, and his family was identified for many years with Tunbridge, that State. His father, Ashbell Buck- land (born Nov. 14, 1771) married Ruth Mosley (born March 23, 1772), and they had nine chil- dren as follows: David W. (who died in infancy), David H., Harriet, Sophronia, Joseph, John F. (our subject), Asenath, Ruth, and William.

John F. Buckland was born April 12, 1797, in Tunbridge, Vt., where he remained until twelve years old. Even at that early age the necessity for securing his own livelihood was impressed upon him, and when a friend who had located in Ware- house Point, Conn., secured him a position there, he walked all the way from Tunbridge, carrying his worldly possessions in a small bundle tied up in a handkerchief. He was employed in Gen. Jenk's distillery until 1828, and in the meantime he pur- chased and improved the farm near Warehouse Point which is now owned and occupied by his only child, Mrs. Mary L. Arnold. During the remainder of his life his attention was devoted largely to to- bacco culture and general farming. From time to time he invested in other real estate, and at his death, which occurred Oct. 28, 1864, he left a large estate. Politically he was a Republican, and as a public-spirited citizen he was keenly interested in local affairs. Throughout his life he was strictly temperate, and his deep reverence for religion was manifested in his daily conduct and conversation. Every morning and evening prayer was offered in his home and a chapter read from the Bible, and for years he was a leading member of the First Congregational Church at Scantic.

On May 19, 1824, Mr. Buckland married Miss Lucinda Bancroft, an estimable woman, who was born in East Windsor, Conn., Jan. 13, 1796, daugh- of John Bancroft, and granddaughter of Deacon John Bancroft, who made guns for the Revolution- ary army. She died Jan. 9, 1871, leaving the mem- ory of a lovable character and devout Christian life.

MRS. MARY L. ARNOLD, who was born at the homestead, April 14, 1831, is a lady of unusual abil- ity. She is much respected in the community, and is identified with St. John's Episcopal Church at Warehouse Point. On Dec. 8, 1867, she married Joseph Arnold, a native of Haddam, Conn., who was at one time a merchant in New York City and later a salesman in the silk department of A. T. Stewart's store. After his marriage he took charge of the homestead, where he passed away Sept. 29, 1887. He was active and influential in local poli- tics as a member of the Democratic organization, served as tax collector in East Windsor town for a time, and in 1879 was elected to the State Legis- lature.

HON. ELWIN F. MERRIMAN, present rep- resentative from Avon to the State Legislature, is one of the most enterprising citizens of his town, and has been a leading agriculturist of this part of

831

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Hartford county since his removal here in 1888. Mr. Merriman is a native of the town of Litchfield, Litchfield Co., Conn., born March 17, 1859, a son of Joseph Merriman and a grandson of John A. Merriman.

John A. Merriman was born in New York State in 1800, and in an early day removed to Litchfield, Conn., whre he spent the remainder of his days, engaged in general farming and raising working cattle. He also did teaming between Litchfield and New Haven. He married a Miss Cable, and they liad fourteen children, four of whom died young, and the other ten lived without a death among them for over fifty years: Harlow, the eldest, was a resident of Falls Village, Conn .; Lucy is the widow of Lewis Perkins, and lives in Litchfield; Hiram is a resident of Springfield, Mass .; Julia (deceased) was the wife of Samuel McNeil, of Danbury; John lives in Unionville, Conn .; Robert made his home in Wisconsin, but died in Union- ville, while on a visit; Joseph is the father of our subject; Charles is a resident of Litchfield, where lie has served as first selectman for many years : Sa- rah is the wife of Julius Treadway; and Louise married William Ford. The parents of this family both died in Litchfield county, where they are buried. Mr. Merriman was a Democrat in politics.

Joseph Merriman was born May 3, 1834, in the town of Litchfield, where he received his education in the district schools. He has been one of the most active citizens of his town, all of his early manhood was spent in doing teaming with oxen, and for many years he served acceptably as road maker and supervisor, while for some years he had charge of the town farm, giving general satisfac- tion in discharging the duties of that incumbency. At present he is successfully engaged in dairying and general farming in Litchfield, where he is highly respected for his substantial worth. He has been active in the ranks of the Democratic party as a stanch supporter of the principles of that or- ganization, but he has never been a politician in the sense of office-seeker. In Plainville, Conn., he was married to Miss Catharine Bradley, a native of that town, daughter of Isaac Bradley, and six children were born to them: Martha, who is the wife of Henry Judd, a farmer of Middlebury ; Elwin F .; Isaac, a farmer of Litchfield; Lena, wife of Jay Gilbert, of Litchfield; Katie, wife of Birdsey Atwood, of Thomaston, Conn., and Una, who died young. Mr. and Mrs. Merriman are earnest mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Up to the age of thirteen years Elwin F. Merri- man lived at home, assisting his parents on the farm, and attending the district schools nearby. Since that time he has been practically self-supporting, for he commenced to work out among other farmers, at first receiving ten dollars a month for his ser- vices ; but he did not give up the idea of obtaining a good education, and he continued to go to school during the winter time as opportunity offered, studying for a time at Litchfield Academy. He

taught school for six terms near his old home, and was engaged thius in connection with farming up to the age of twenty-two years, when he came to Hartford county, locating first in Umonville. For five years after his removal here he was engaged in teaming, and he then embarked in the express business on his own account, running a wagon be- tween Hartford and Unionville. Meeting with fair success in this enterprise, he continued thus for two years, in 1888 removing. to West Avon, where he purchased the William Smith farm, on which he has ever since resided. He carries on gen- eral farming, and believes in extensive farming, and and keeps on his forty-acre farm about thirty head of stock, peddling the milk in Unionville. Mr. Mer- riman has prospered to an unusual degree since his settlement in Avon town, and he fully deserves all the success which has come to him, for he has earned the way to his present high position, and may well be called a self-made man, one to whom the community can point as an example of industry and intelligent effort. He has always had the repu- tation of being a straightforward man in all his deal- ings, and by his able management of his own af- fairs and strict integrity has won the confidence of his fellow citizens in Avon, who have shown their appreciation of his worth in many substantial ways. Not long after settling here he was elected town assessor, in which office he served faithfully; was acting school visitor for three years, and he has since been called upon to serve as member of the board of relief and as first selectman of the town. In 1898 he was chosen to represent liis district in the State Legislature, and he is now serving. Though he is comparatively a new resident of the town, Mr. Merriman has by his upright life made a place for himself among its reliable and most respected citizens, as is evidenced by the many hon- ors he has received at the hands of his fellow citi- zens, and he is to be congratulated upon the posi- tion he has reached while still in his prime. His political support is given to the Democratic party.

Mr. Merriman was married, in 1880, to Miss Louise Osborn, daughter of James Osborn, of Litch- field, and they had one child, Raymond, who died at the age of twelve years. Mrs. Merriman died Sep. 4, 1884, and was buried in Unionville ; she was an earnest Christian woman, in religious connection holding membership with the Episcopal Church. In 1885 Mr. Merriman was married, in Unionville, to Miss Mary Porter, daughter of Major and Mary (Thompson) Porter, both of whom died when Mrs. Merriman was but two years of age. This union has also been blessed with two children: Grace Isabel, born April 17, 1893, now attending school, and Louis Porter, a sturdy little fellow, born Sept. 16, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Merriman are active mieni- bers of the M. E. Church, in which he now holds the office of steward. They are popular among their neighbors, havng many friends in Avon who enjoy their pleasant society and esteem them for their genuine worth.

832

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

EDWARD ANSON HUBBARD (deceased), late of Glastonbury, was a descendant in the eighth generation from (I) George Hubbard, likely a native of Essex or Surrey, England, whence he emigrated to New England in 1633, locating first at Watertown, Mass., later in Wethersfield, Conn., and still later in Milford, and finally in Guilford, Conn., removing to this latter point prior to 1650. He had married Mary, daughter of John and Anne Bishop. She died at Guilford in 1675 and he passed away there in 1683. From this emigrant George Hubbard, of Guilford, Edward A. Hubbard's line of descent is through John, John (2), Ephraim, Jonathan, David and Norman Hubbard.

(II) John Hubbard, son of George, of Guil- ford, born in England about 1630, was brought to this country in about 1633. He married, about 1648-49, Mary Merriam, formerly of Concord, Mass. He lived at Hadley, where five of his chil- dren were born, then at Hatfield, where he died in 1702.

(III) John Hubbard (2), son of John, born in Wethersfield, Conn., in 1655, married, in about 1676, Mary, daughter of Thomas Wright, and later settled in Glastonbury, where he died in about 1748. He was a large land owner and a man of prom- inence, serving a number of years in the Legis- lature.

(IV) Ephraim Hubbard, son of John (2), born in 1695 in Glastonbury, Conn., married Mary Lord, who died in 1772. He was a well-to-do farmer, a deacon in the church, and died in Glastonbury in 1780.

(\') Jonathan Hubbard, son of Ephraim, born in Glastonbury in 1720, married (second) Widow Sarah (Smith) Forbes. He died in Glastonbury in 1806, and second wife died there in 1781.

(VI) David Hubbard, son of Jonathan, born in Glastonbury in 1758, married, in 1783, Jemima Chamberlain, who died in 1838. David Hubbard was a deacon in the church. He served in the militia in the war of the Revolution.

(VII) Norman Hubbard, son of (VI) David and Jemima Hubbard, was born in 1787 in Glaston- bury, and died in 1854, a lifelong zealous and lib- eral supporter of the Congregational Church. He married (first) Nancy Sellow, and to this union were born five children: (1) Sarah, born in 1815, married Martin Keeney: (2) Sereno, born in 1816, died in 1864 ; he married Maria Dodd, of Hartford. and had two children, Elizabeth and Clarence, of whom Elizabeth married George Lee and had one son, Frank: (3) Harriet, born in 1819, married Norman Spencer, and died in January, 1871, leav- ing four children, Norman, Sarah, Harriet and Charles: (4) Edward A. is the subject of this sketch : (5) Norman, born in 1825, died unmarried at the age of twenty years.

(VIII) Edward A. Hubbard, son of (VII) Norman and Nancy (Sellew) Hubbard, was born May 3, 1822, in Glastonbury, and received his edu- cation at the common schools of the district, which was supplemented with a course of study at the

Westfield (Mass.) Academy. His father being a tanner, young Edward assisted in the work of ti! . tannery, remaining under the parental roof until he became of age. On the death of his father, in 1854, Edward A. formed a partnership with Isaac Broadnead, a practical tanner, Mr. Hubbard fur- nishing the capital and acting as business manager of the concern. They built a new tannery, and in partnership carried on a successful business up to the death of Mr. Hubbard, in 1871, at which time Mr. Broadhead purchased the interest of the de- ceased and continued the business alone.

On Feb. 8, 1860, Edward A. Hubbard was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte Hunt, who was born May 21, 1828, at Vernon, Tolland Co., Conn., a daughter of Capt. Oliver and Roxanna (Smith) Hunt. Capt. Hunt was born in Vernon, Conn., a son of Oliver and Jerusha (Simons) Hunt, highly respected farming people, who had a family of four children: Laura, (Capt.) Oliver, Rebecca and Mary. To Capt. Oliver and Roxanna Hunt were born eight children: (1) Fidelia Clark became the wife of Capt. Bela Abbott; both are now deceased. (2) Philinda is the deceased widow of Elijah Payne. (3) Roxanna, deceased, was the wife of C. A. Risley. (4) Oliver married (first) Roselle Chapman, and (second) Harriet Fuller ; he is now living retired at Galesburg, Ill. (5) Eliza Ann is deceased. (6) Caroline Mary married Leander Smith : both are deceased. (7) Charlotte (MIrs. E. A. Hubbard) comes next in the order of birth. (8) Chester Smith, the youngest, is deceased. Capt. Oliver Hunt was by occupation a farmer and tanner ; was a captain in the State troops, a Whig and Republican in politics and served in the State Legislature two terms. He was a member of no church, though a liberal contributor to all denom- inations.

To Edward A. and Charlotte (Hunt) Hubbard were born two daughters: (1) Charlotte Hunt. born Dec. 15, 1860, was educated at Hartford (Conn.) Female Seminary and Bordentown, N. J. ; she is now the wife of Lewis W. Ripley, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere. (2) Mary Amelia, born May 4, 1863, graduated from the Hartford Public High School ; she was married, May 4, 1886, to Dr. Gideon C. Segur, of Hartford, Conn., and has a family of six living children: Raymond Hub- bard, Charlotte Hubbard, Marjorie Hubbard, Gerald Hubbard, Malcolm Cundall and Katharine Hunt : there were two other children, Edward Hubbard and Donald Cundall, both of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Hubbard is a lady of culture and refinement, and after the death of her husband she made her home for a time in Hartford in order to give her two daughters the benefit of a good city education, returning in 1898 to a home in Glastonbury, where she now resides. Her life has been full of useful- ness, and in the evening of her days, which she is enjoying in ease and comfort, she can look over the past years with the consciousness of duties well performed.

The late Edward A. Hubbard had a wide busi-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGKMHICAL RECORD.

CASSA HUBBARD (deceased). Var & comma in the eighth a . Ceirge Hullard, likeh Hervor Server, England wheree i Tin Dayala 'n 633, locating Brut Ster in Wethersfield, Conny

te" in Miltont, and finally in Cinford, to this latter the prior to logo. . . No , augliter of John and Anne Se dat Giaalford ip 175 and he pad

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whom Llizabeth marrisl ticorre Lee and bad one son. Tenk; (3) Harriet, born in ISIO, married Nieman Spencer, And In In January, ANZI, fal- mg four children, Norman, Sarah, Harriet an Charles: 14) Edward A. is the subject of This Sketch : (5) Norman, born in 1825. died unmarried at the age of twenty years.

(VIII) Edward A. Hubbard, son of (VII) Norman and Nancy ( Sellew) Hubbard, was been Nav 3. 1822, mn Glastonbury, and received his wife- cita a the common schools of the district, which was supplemented with a course of study at the

Westhod (hlass. ) AAcademy. His father being a in woy Edward assisted in the work of u Mmm .. rectomy under the parental roof until of age. On the death of his father, in Kard A. forived a partnership with Isaac a practical tanner, Mr. Hubbard fir-

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Edward A Hubbard

833

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ness acquaintance in the United States and Europe, his business career and his home life being alike above reproach, and he had the warm regard of many personal friends, while at the same time he was ever faithful to all trusts, whether of a public or private nature, reposed in him. He was a stanchi friend of advanced educational methods, a promoter and supporter of the Glastonbury Free Academy, and a liberal contributor to all enterprises intended to help the building up of society. A prominent member of the Congregational Church, he was a pure-minded Christian, a great student of the Bible and an earnest worker in the cause of humanity. A strong Republican in politics, he was nevertheless no office seeker, though frequently urged by his friends to accept nomination. His domestic and social life was full of tenderness and sympathy for others, and filled with unostentatious acts of charity, particularly among the poor and needy, deeds that were known at the time only to himself and the recipients of his bounty. He died universally be- loved and respected, and left the heritage of a good name.

HON. JAMES HATHAWAY VIETS. The Viets family has held a prominent place in this sec- tion from pioneer times, and the personal history of this venerable and highly-esteemed resident of East Granby, can have no better introduction than the following brief review of his ancestry: The thrift, enterprise and public-spirit which have marked his conduct throughout his long and useful career are characteristic of the family, and its mem- bers have made themselves honorable reputations in various callings, many of the name in Hartford county being engaged in agricultural pursuits.

The name is probably of German origin, as it occurs in various forms in different localities in the "Fatherland," and Dr. John Viets, the progeni- tor of the family in this section, who settled in Simsbury in 1710, spelled the name Viett. After his death his sons used the spelling Vietts, which would indicate that the name was pronounced in that way, and it is surmised that at an earlier period it may have been written Vietz. The present spell- ing was adopted about 1750. Dr. John Viets is said to have been well-educated, having prepared for the medical profession in Germany, but the in- formation concerning his early life is meagre and is in some instances conflicting. According to the best authority he was born probably about 1665, and there is little doubt that on coming to America he landed in New York, where his marriage may have occurred. His name appears in the records of Simsbury as early as 1710, when he was admitted as a citizen, and on January 5, 17II, he received a ceed for twelve acres of land from the heirs of John Griffin. This was located on the west side of the mountain, being now included in the town of East Granby. For some time he followed farming there in connection with his medical practice. The carly settlers were too poor and possibly too hardy and

healthy to furnish a good income for a physician, and it seems that he thought at one time of return- ing to his native land. In 1713 he mortgaged his farm for ten pounds sterling, and as there was then a linseed oil mill on the place it is probable that he had built it. In 1723 he received a grant of eighty-two acres of land from the town, and his death occurred soon afterward (Nov. 18, 1723), from a fever. Tradition says that his wife's name was Catharine Meyers, but on her tombstone in Simsbury it is given as "Camon Vets, ye wife of Det. John Vets.' She died on the 5th or 6th day of March, 1734, at the age of sixty-eight. Of their four children, Catharine married Mr. Hoskins, of Windsor; Henry, born 1709, died April 2, 1779; John, born Nov. 3, 1712, married Lois l'helps, and died April 8, 1777 ; and Mary or Mercy married Mr. Gough or Goff.

Henry Viets, our subject's great-grandfather, was but a boy when his father died, and he and his brother John had to make their own way in life. For a time he was employed in the copper mines in Simsbury, but later became a farmer in the north- ern part of the town, where he secured an extensive estate. Ile died April 2, 1779. His first wife, Mar- garet, died Sept. 28. 1750, and his second wife, Mar- garet Austin, of Windsor, who was born in 1712, died October 14, 1783. By his first marriage he had five children : Henry, born Jan. 24, 1737, died Feb. 5, 1824; Margaret, born May 9, 1739, died Sep. 22, 1782; Luke, born June 17, 1743, died Oct. 21, 1757, having been accidentally shot at Becket, Mass., while hunting ; David, born Feb. 18, 1745, died Nov. 3, 1815 ; Jonathan, born Sept. 26, 1750, died Feb. 17, 1837. By his second wife he had one son, James, born Aug. 28, 1752, died Dec. 23, 1827.

Capt. James Viets, our subject's grandfather, was a farmer by occupation, and his improvements on his old homestead at Copper Hill included a substantial dwelling-house, built in 1797. He owned a large tract of land at Colbrook, and for many years made a specialty of dairying. He was a consistent member of the Episcopal Church. Politically he supported the views of Jefferson. As a good citi- zen he took an active part in public affairs, and his title was gained by service as an officer in the State militia. His death occurred December 23, 1827, at the homestead on Copper Hill, and his re- mains were interred at Turkey Hill cemetery. His wife Elizabeth Brown, usually called "Betsey" among her friends, was born in Nova Scotia and died Feb. 23, 1837. She was an Episcopalian in re- ligious faith, and her daily life gave proof of her de- votion. They had four children, of whom our sub- ject's father, Festus Viets, was the youngest. (1) Betsey, born Sept. 6, 1781, married Robert Church, and died Feb. 6, 1871. (2) Horace, born March 27 1783, died Jan. 10, 1870. (3) Achsah, born June 28, 1785, married Oliver Griffin, and died Dec. 17, 1869.

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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 12

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