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 122

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 122

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Scotia. His descendants are now quite numerous. and the Skinner family in St. John, New Bruns- wick, is a prominent and wealthy one. His son Samuel located at that place, becoming one of its leading citizens and successful manufacturers, and the latter's son Charles represented the city in Par- liament. David Skinner, the Doctor's grandfather, was a well-to-do and influential citizen of Nova Scotia, where his father, Martin Skinner, has spent his entire life as a prosperous and successful farmer. Martin Skinner married Sarah Pineo, a representa- tive of one of the best families of Nova Scotia. her ancestors being of aristocratic French extrac- tion, and three sons were born of this union, of whom two are still living: L. Z:, our subject ; and an older brother, who is a farmer of Nova Scotia.

At his birthplace Dr. Skinner grew to manhood. assisting in the labors of the farm, and attending the local school until 1884. When fifteen he began applying himself more closely to his books, and in 1884 entered school at Berwick with the intention of preparing for the profession of teacher. At the age of eighteen he entered upon the duties of that profession in the primary department of the graded schools of Waterville. Later he was promoted to higher grades, successfully taught in different places, and became a principal, continuing to en- gage in teaching for several years. In the mean- time, however. he was also interested in other busi- ness, and at one time engaged in general merchan- dising in partnership with his brother, to whom he later sold out. He commenced reading medicine under the direction of Dr. Middlemas, a very prom- inent physician and successful practitioner of Ber- wick, N. S., and subsequently entered Baltimore Medical College, where he was graduated in the class of 1894. The same year he opened an office in Windsor, and has steadily worked his way upward until he now enjoys an excellent practice. Being of a self-reliant and independent nature, he paid his own way through school, though not obliged to do so, and his success is due entirely to his own efforts. As a citizen he stands high in the esteem of all who know him, and as a practitioner is sec- ond to none in Windsor. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and socially is a member of Washing- ton Lodge, F. & A. M., at Windsor, and was at one time a member of the Independent Order of Foresters in Nova Scotia.

LUMAN LILLIE, a well-known tobacco grower of West Suffield, Hartford county, and one of its highly-respected citizens, was born in Winchester, Litchfield Co., Conn., Nov. 7, 1842, and is of Eng- lish and Scottish extraction. During the days of Cromwell the Lillies were supporters of the king, and from their home in England were driven to Scotland, whence they later emigrated to America, settling in the Colony of Vermont, where they be- came good citizens and supporters of our free insti- tutions. Caleb Lillie, the grandfather of our sub-

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ject, was a native of the Green Mountain State, was a farmer by occupation, and owned land at Pownal, Bennington county, where he made his home until called from this life.

Jason Lillie, our subject's father, was born at Pownal where he was reared and educated. At the age of eighteen he left home, and walking to Con- necticut located in Winchester, Litchfield county. For four years he was employed as traveling sales- man by the Halbit Scythe Co., selling scythes in Connecticut, New York, Vermont and Massachusetts. The following two years he engaged in farming for Hulbert & Tuttle, in Litchfield county, and in 1846 came to Suffield, Hartford county, where he rented the Spencer farm for sixteen years, and the Dr. Kel- logg farm for two years. Coming to West Suffield in 1864, he bought the James Harman farm, of sixty- five acres, on which he engaged in tobacco culture and general farming until life's labors were ended. In Winsted. Litchfield county, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Julia Hart, a native of that place. and a daughter of Samuel Hart, and to them were born four children: Luman, subject of this sketch ; William. a farmer of West Suffield: Sylvia J., an estimable lady who keeps house for our subject : and Francis J., who died in middle life. The parents both died on the old homestead, and were buried in West Suffield cemetery. They were sincere and faithful members of the Baptist Church, and in his political views the father was a Democrat. He was a strong temperance man, and was highly esteemed for his sterling worth and strict integrity.

Luman Lillie was only four years old when brought by his parents to Suffield, and after attend- ing the district school for some time he completed his education in the Connecticut Literary Institute, under the instruction of H. A. Pratt, then principal. At the age of eighteen years he commenced teach- ing school, and successfully followed that profes- sion for one term in Suffield and one term in Rain- bow, Hartford county. Since then his life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and on the death of his father he took charge of the old home- stead, where he has since successfully engaged in general farming and raising tobacco. He is a quiet, unassuming man, industrious and enterprising, and gives his political support to the men and measures of the Democratic party. He is liberal in his relig- ious views, and he and his sister, who lives with him, hold membership in the Baptist Church.

THOMAS BOSTICK. farmer, dairyman and tobacco grower, was born in the village of Thomp- sonville, town of Enfield, March 10, 1861, a son of Randall and Anna (Joy) Bostick.

Mr. Bostick's father was born in England, and his mother was a native of Ireland. After his mi- gration to the United States, Randall Bostick began business as a peddler of vegetables at Enfield. Hc possessed marked business ability, and in 1875 he purchased the farm in Enfield now occupied by his

son, George E. Bostick, the brother of our subject. Randall Bostick was married in 1858, at the early age of eighteen years, and his family consisted of seven children, as follows: John, Thomas, Nellie (Mrs. Barton Prickett ), Randall, Anna ( Mrs. Colts), George E. and Benjamin.

Thomas Bostick, our subject, was reared in En- field, educated in the public schools, and began life as a farmer ; he purchased the farm he now occupies in 1891, and is engaged in dairying and tobacco growing. In 1883 he married Sarah, daughter of Stephen and Mary (Shepherd) Goodwin, of Eng- land, and they have four children, Herbert, Stephen, Ila and Annie. He is a progressive citizen, a mem- ber of the Episcopal Church, and in politics is a Republican.

WILLIAM JAMES REINSCH, a leading undertaker and popular business man of Southing- ton, has made his own way in the world from an early age, and through his own well-directed efforts and untiring industry has already achieved success, though he is comparatively a young man.

A native of Hartford county, Mr. Reinsch was born in Manchester, Nov. 29, 1869, son of Theodore and Susan ( Waddell ) Reinsch. During his boy- hood the father came to America and located in New York City, where he worked as a confectioner. In 1855 he came to Manchester, Conn., where he was employed as a weaver until 1895, in that year remov- ing to Middletown, where he now resides. By his first wife he had five children : William J., our sub- ject ; Mary, deceased ; Herman ; Minnie, Mrs. Ches- ter ; and Wilson. For his second wife he wedded Mary Ann Sanderson, and to them were born two children, Edward and Susic.

The early life of our subject was spent in Man- chester, where he attended the public schools to a limited extent, but his educational privileges were meager, as at the age of eleven years he commenced work in the cotton mills of the Union Manufactur- ing Co., where he remained three years. He then entered the woolen mills of B. C. Apel, and remained there until 1893, when he located in Southington, and was in the employ of W. S. Gould three years. On May 30, 1896, he embarked in the undertaking busi- ness on his own account, and has since successfully continued in that line.

Mr. Reinsch was married, May 31, 1892, to Miss Anna Reed, a daughter of George and Ann Reed, of Ireland, and they have three children, William, Susan and Harold. Mr. Reinsch is a supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a member of the Royal Society of Good Fellows, the Knights of the Maccabees, the Knights of Pythias, and the Independent Order of Red Men. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat.

THOMAS W. MITCHELL comes of a family of distinguished English descent. His grandfather was born in the city of York. Reuben Mitchell,

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father of T. W. Mitchell, was born in Leicester, and married Jane Cowlam, a member of an ancient Scot- tish family, whose father, William Cowlam, was a resident of Dumfries.

Reuben Mitchell was considered one of the best mechanics in the United Kingdom, and is said to have held the first contract for building engines ever signed in England. As an engine builder and general machinist he was remarkably successful, and was not without education of a superior order. He had a brother who was a master in Rugby School, and another who was an exciseman in London, as well as one who was a teacher in that city. Reuben Mitchell passed his last days in New Britain, where he died March 31, 1900. His widow still resides in that city. Their children were as follows: Ter- esa, who married Fred W. Fisher, both now de- ceased ; Thomas W .; Edwin R., who is now superin- tendent of the electric railway service at Fort Madi- son, lowa; Joseph is in the employ of the General Electric Company at Schenectady, and has charge of what is known as the Niagara plant; Elizabeth, who became the wife of John Foulds, of Lynn, Mass., foreman of the vacuum department in Thompson & Hanston's plant at that place ; Jennie, married to John Blake, of New Britain; Lucy, now the wife of Joseph Caunt, a shoe manufacturer of Lynn: Hattie, who married James Caunt, a brother of Joseph ; and Reuben.

Thomas William Aiitchell was born in Lough- borough, Leicestershire, England, May 11, 1855. llis birthplace was within three miles of the ground upon which occurred the bloody battle of Bosworth Field, in the War of the Roses. His rudimentary education was of rather a meager sort, yet he im- proved to the utmost such advantages as he had ; still. his true education was obtained in the broader field of active life and practical experience. At the age of twelve years he was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker at Nottingham, a place celebrated alike for its production of lace and for its propinquity to the home of Lord Byron. For five years he led the life of an apprentice, availing himself of such opportunities as were afforded for attendance upon evening schools. After mastering his trade he determined to woo fortune in the New World and emigrated to America, coming directly to New Britain after landing at New York, his fa- ther having preceded him as a settler in that city in 1869. His first employment in his new home was as a wood-worker in one of the departments of the New Britain Knitting Co., where he remained five years. At the expiration of that period he went to work for William HI. Geddings, a furniture dealer on Church street, where he was employed at his old trade for ten or eleven years. By that time, throughi industry, integrity and thrift, he had accumulated enough money to enable him to embark in business on his own account. He formed a partnership with HI. E. Johnson, under the firm name of T. W. Mitch- ell & Co., which concern is yet doing business at the

location in which it started. Their line of trade is furniture and upholstery, and in the last-mentioned branch of business they are regarded as one of the leading firms of the city. Their display rooms are extensive and well arranged, and their trade has steadily increased from the inception of their enter- prise.

The career of Mr. Mitchell affords a striking il- lustration of the possibilities open to young men of earnest purpose and high moral sense to attain suc- cess in New England. He has attained a high degree, yet his success is well deserved. While his business sense is keen, his impulses are generous and his charity broad. During the last six or seven years he has taken an active interest in politics, and has been three times a delegate to the State convention of the Republican party ; and has been a member of the Sub-way commission. He was one of the earliest members of St. Elmo Lodge, No. 21, of New Britain, having connected himself therewith in March, 1880. In 1882 he was elected chancellor commander, being the youngest man who ever filled that responsible office. The same year he was chosen district dep- uty, and in 1887 elected grand master of the ex- chequer, but owing to his absence from the floor at the time of his election he was disqualified from ac- cepting the office. In 1898, in conjunction with grand chancellor Fred E. Chessen, of Waterbury, he was appointed a member of the committee on Mileage and Finance. He is also connected with the I. O. O. F., but has taken a far less active inter- est in this order : and belongs to the Sons of St. George, having attained the rank of past president, after serving two terms in the executive chair. He is a director in the Sovereign Trading Co., and treasurer of the Republican Savings & Loan Asso- ciation, of New York.

Mr. Mitchell married Hattie E. Johnson, daugh- ter of John Johnson, of Bristol, Conn. Her family is also of English origin and from Leicestershire. To their union have been born three children : Charles R., Nellie M., and Ralph J., all of whom live at home.

A. N. GRAVES, proprietor of the "Suffield House," Suffield, is deservedly popular as a landlord, and his hotel is regarded by the traveling public as among the best to be found in any small town in the State. Since it came under his management it has been greatly improved, a story having been added, and the entire place fitted up with steam heat and other modern conveniences, while the cuisine is ex- cellent. In his care of his guests, Mr. Graves is ably seconded by his clever wife, and one of the at- tractions of the place is its quiet and home-like at- mosphere, in which all are left free to enjoy them- selves without the obtrusive conversation so often bestowed upon the stranger in small hotels.

Mr. Graves was born May 21, 1856, at Middle- field, Mass., on a mountain farm which was the birthplace of four generations of the family. Ste-

a. M. Graves

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phen Graves, his grandfather, resided at the old homestead, where he followed farming, but although he owned a large amount of land it was so rocky and hilly that his hard labor brought meagre re- turns. Dwight E. Graves, the father of our subject, was born and reared at the old farm, and for some years of his early manhood had charge of the place, but he afterward settled in Suffield, where he died in January, 1885, aged over sixty years. He was a tall man, measuring six feet, one inch, in his stock- ings, and weighed about 170 pounds on the average. His associates held him in high esteem for his ex- cellent qualities, but while he took an intelligent in- terest in the questions of his time, and was a stanch Republican in politics, he did not aspire to official position in the community. He married Miss Mary Root, also a native of Middlefield, Mass., who survives him, and now resides in Worcester, Mass. This worthy couple had seven children : Edward, who is in business in Worcester, Mass., as a dealer in meat and groceries ; Henry S., who was superintend- ent of the city poor farm at Worcester, Mass., and died in the spring of 1899; W. S., a grocer and meat dealer at Worcester; Mary, deceased; A. N., our subject ; Charles C., butcher and grocer at Windsor Locks; and Elmer, who is in the meat business in Hartford. All of the sons are large men, their com- bined weight at present being 1,284 pounds, and all are prosperous in business and respected in society.

During his boyhood Mr. Graves learned habits of industry, working on the old homestead, and his educational opportunities were limited to an irregu- lar attendance in the district schools. His parents, who shared the high appreciation of learning which is common among New England people, desired bet- ter privileges for their sons, but their circumstances prevented them from fulfilling their wishes. At the age of fifteen Mr. Graves left home and came to Suffield, where he boarded with his brother Henry, then a butcher in that town, whom he assisted in the meat business by driving a delivery wagon; in the meantime he attended the Connecticut Literary Institute for two terms. Later he succeeded to his brother's business, continuing thus until 1884, and for two years he conducted a livery stable and coal yard at Windsor Locks On Nov. 1, 1888, he bought the "Suffield House," with the livery and sale stable in connection, and the management of this property has since occupied much of his time. His trade in horses is extensive, and he is known as an excellent judge of their good points, his admira- tion for them having made him a keen observer from his boyhood. He owns some of the best bred ani- mals in Suffield, including a prominent colt, "Quar- ter Bar," by "Temple Bar," and his favorite driving team is composed of "Lottie Fallis" and "Bijou,' each of whom has made a record of 2:2114. In March, 1898, as his successor in the meat business had abandoned the enterprise, Mr. Graves again established a meat market in order to have one in the village, and in addition to all his other lines of busi-

ness he carries on farming. Previous to 1897 he was extensively engaged in tobacco culture, having twenty-four acres under cultivation during one sea- son, and he is one of three members of a syndicate formed for the purpose of growing tobacco exten- sively, the firm name being The Bissel, Graves Co. In the summer of 1899 they grew sixty-six acres of tobacco, and in 1900, seventy-five acres. As a cit- izen Mr. Graves is progressive and liberal, always willing to help any cause that will help Suffield, and, like all his brothers, is a firm supporter of the Repubican party. His tastes do not incline toward public life. Socially he is connected with Gideon Granger Lodge, No. 62, K. of P .; Lyman Council of the O. U. A. M. (being a charter member of both) ; and with the Masonic Fraternity.

Mr. Graves married Miss Alma Smith, and they have one son, Howard D., born Sept. 8, 1891. Mrs. Graves is a native of Ashford, Conn., born July 4, 1860, and was reared in Mansfield, this State, where her parents, A. P. and Alma (Lilley) Smith, settled during her childhood. Her father now re- sides in Tacoma, Wash. Of his nine children, two sons and two daughters lived to adult age, Mrs. Graves being the youngest.

NICHOLAS J. BAKER. The firm of Baker & Eagan. ladies' and gents' furnishers, at Windsor Locks, conducts one of the leading mercantile estab- lishments of that locality, and in the success which has attended their enterprise from the start we may see the results of sound business acumen allied to untiring energy. The store is advantageously lo- cated on Main street, nearly opposite the depot, and a well selected stock attracts the custom of the best class of people, while correct business methods and perfect reliability have won general confidence.

Nicholas J. Baker, the senior member of the firm, was born May 3, 1865, at Brattleboro, \'t. His education was obtained in the public schools of Holyoke, Mass., and at the age of nineteen years he located at Windsor Locks, his first employment being in the factory of J. R. Montgomery & Co., with whom he remained three years and a half. In 1887 he formed a partnership with Edwin P. Eagan and engaged in their present business, to which he has given his entire attention, not even diverting any portion of his time to politics. He is a member of the New England Order of Protection, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and he and his family are much esteemed socially. He was married in Windsor Locks to Miss Mary Sheridan, and they have four children : Nellie, Joseph, James and Rose Marion.

EDWIN P. EAGAN, the junior partner, was born at Bloomfield, Conn., May 19, 1864. Thomas Eagan, his father, was a native of Galway, Ireland, and came to the United States when a young man. He remained for a time in the town of Windsor Locks but later removed to Bloomfield, while for twenty- eight years past he has been engaged in farming in

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the town of Granby. He was married in Windsor Locks, Conn., to Miss Mary E. Gilligan, also a native of Galway, Ireland, and they have the following children : Michael W., a Pinkerton's detective ; John C., foreman of the docks at Smithburg ; Thomas L., of Windsor Locks; Catherine and Maggie, deceased ; and Edwin P.

Edwin P. Eagan spent his early years in Granby, Conn., where he attended the public schools, and when twelve years old began to learn the steam- fitter's trade in Hartford, Conn. He followed same nine years, most of the time in Windsor Locks, Conn., but since 1887 he has been connected with the firm of Baker & Eagan, in whose success his ability and foresight has been a recognized factor. He and his wife are leading members of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Windsor Locks, and he also be longs to .the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Catholic Benevolent Legion. He was married in Windsor Locks to Miss Emma Baines, who died Aug. 12, 1896, leaving two children : Edwina and William A. On April 20. 1808, he was married, in Thompsonville, Conn., to Miss Nellie Callahan.

DANIEL LAVERTY is one of the substan - tial citizens of Poquonock, this county, who are of alien birth, and who have, by their own unaided exertions, raised themselves to their present pros- perous condition.

Mr. Laverty was born in County Antrim, Ire- land, in 1837, a son of Daniel and Mary (Dixon) Laverty, who were well-to-do farming people in the Emerald Isle. The children in the family were Patrick, now a farmer of Avon Springs, N. Y .; John, of whom all trace was lost after he entered a New York regiment during the Civil war ; James, a farmer of Avon Springs, N. Y. : Daniel, our sub- ject : and Bridget, Mary and Ella, all deceased. The mother and daughters all died in Ireland with- in two years, and as this broke up the family the father sold his property preparatory to coming to AAmerica. Patrick was the first of the family to emigrate, was soon followed by John and James, and later by the father, who died in Williamsburg, New York.

Our subject had been bound out to a Mr. Mc- Ginire, a farmer in Ireland, and was the last of the family to come to the New World. He was educated in the public schools of his native land, and was a lad of twelve years when he went from Belfast to Liverpool, and there took passage on board the "Richard Morris" for New York, arriving in that city after nine long weeks spent upon the water. His first work here was at screening sand, at Williamsburg. N. Y., but he received no pay for his five weeks of labor. Later he worked by the day at any employment such as a boy could do, and he was an exceptionally good and steady boy. He cared for a gentleman's horses part of the time. During the construction of the Seymour paper mills at

Windsor Locks, Conn., he went there to do work as a mason's tender, but being small for his age the boss seemed to think him too light for the work, and suggested his becoming an apprentice to learn the bricklayer's trade, which he did. During his two years and nine months' apprenticeship he re- ceived only his board, some cheap clothing, and $7.50 in money. Since then he has made brick- laying his life work, and followed it in several New England towns.

On Feb. 11, 1857, at Windsor Locks, Mr. Laverty was united in marriage with Miss Mary McCaffrey, who was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, in November, 1836, a daughter of Patrick and Ann (McGuire) McCaffrey. The father was the first of the family to come to the United States. and was working as a laborer in a paper mill at Rainbow. Conn., when joined by his family, who crossed the Atlantic from Liverpool on the "West Point," which was eighteen days in reaching the harbor of New York. Mrs. Laverty was nine years old at this time. The parents of both died in Po- quonock, in 1886, within a month. In their family were four children, two sons and two daughters, but one of the sons died in Ireland, at the age of four years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Laverty have been born the following children : Mary A., widow of Robert Farnan, of Poquonock; James, at home; John, at resident of Rainbow; Lizzie, who died in infancy : Katy, wife of Thomas Denhy, of Winsted, Conn. : Nellie, who died in childhood: Daniel, a resident of Poquonock; William, a resident of Hartford : Fred, who died at the age of two years : and Nellie (2), at home.

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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 122

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