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 128

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 128

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In 1889. Mr. Willoughby was married in East Granby to Miss Nellie Healey, a native of Granville, Mass., and a daughter of Nathaniel and Jane (Clark) Healey, and they have one child, Ward Coe. born in 1893. The family are members of the Baptist Church and hold a position of prominence in the best social circles of the community in which they live.

HON. WILLIAM H. FILLEY. Few residents of Windsor have worked as assiduously for the promotion of the best interests of that locality as has the well-known citizen whose history is out- lined in this sketch. As a business man he is en- terprising, far-sighted and successful, while he has also found time to assist effectively in religious, philanthropic, educational and political affairs, his influence always cast on the side of progress.

Mr. Filley is a representative of an old and hon- ored pioneer family of this section, and is of the eighth generation in direct descent from (I) Will- iam Filley. (II) Samuel Filley, son of William, the pioneer, was born Sept. 24, 1643. (III) John Filley, the next in the line of descent, was born Feb. 10, 1677. (IV) John Filley, son of John, was born Nov. 4, 1709, and married Rebecca Drake, by whom he had one child, John. (V) John Filley, our subject's great-grandfather, was born April 18, 1737.

(VI) Horace Filley, the grandfather of our sub- ject. was born Nov. 16, 1779, and died March 5, 1857. He was a prominent agriculturist of Wind- sor in his day, owning a large tract of land, and he took an active part in public movements in his town. He married Lucy Hayden, of Vermont, a. daughter of Isaac Hayden, and had two children: Horace H., our subject's father ; and Miss Julia, born Dec. 29, 1817, who is still living in Windsor.

(VII) Horace H. Filley was born Oct. 15, 1809, at the old homestead, in the house which stood on the site of our subject's present residence. He was educated in the public schools and the.

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academy at Windsor, and as a young man be- gan business on borrowed capital, having no re- sources except his native ability and energy. For many years he followed brick-making successfully, and for some time in later life he was engaged in farming. He was a man of average height and build. and intellectually was noted for shrewdness and conservatism, his judgment being regarded as remarkably sound. His business methods were characterized by strict integrity, and his prosperity was achieved without penuriousness, his family hav- ing every reasonable comfort and advantage. Re- alizing the value of a good education, he endeavored to secure for his children better opportunities than he had enjoyed, and in addition to practical literary training he had them instructed in music and other accomplishments. In politics he was a stanch Re- publican, but while he cast his vote regularly, and was interested in the success of the party, he could not be called a politician. For many years he was a leading member of the Congregational Church at Windsor, in which he frequently served as com- mitteeman. He died Oct. 14, 1884, when within less than one hour of being seventy-five years old.

Mr. Filley married Miss Irene Francis, a native of Windsor, who is still living, at the age of sev- enty-eight, and makes, her home with her daughter,

Mrs. Welch. Although she has been an invalid for years she shows great vitality, and is greatly re- spected in the community for her admirable qual- ities of character. Our subject is the eldest of a family of five children. (2) Joseph, born July 4, 1847, died in 1864. He had left home to enlist in the army, but was taken ill with typhoid fever and brought home, where he died. (3) Henry, born in November, 1850, died of typhoid fever soon after the death of his brother Joseph. He was a very bright youth, intelligent and full of promise. (4) Mary S., born in January, 1853, married E. A. Welch, of Windsor. (5) Jennie, born April 2, 1857, married Rev. G. H. Judson, and for a num- ber of years has been a missionary in China.

(VIII) William H. Filley was born Aug. 25, 1845. at the old home, and was educated in the schools of Windsor and neighboring towns. On completing a high-school course he engaged in busi- ness, his inclination for commercial life having been manifested at an early age. As a mere boy he had bought tobacco in and around Windsor for William Harrison, of Westfield, Mass., and it was on his suggestion that his father undertook tobacco growing as a branch of his business. The details of the management of his father's brickyard were also speedily mastered by the youth, and as a young man he became interested in the wood and lumber business. his father's skilled judgment occasionally reinforcing his own, althoughi, as a rule, he de- cided questions independently. His ventures were uniformly profitable, and while still in his 'teens he formed a partnership with H. H. Ellsworth, a boyhood friend, and they have ever since been as- sociated in their business operations, no other firm

in Windsor approaching them in activity and en- terprise.

In early manhood Mr. Filley took charge of his father's brick yard, which he conducted until 1896, often making 1,000,000 bricks a year. He also as- sumed the management of the farm when a young man, and later purchased the most desirable por- tions, which he still retains as a homestead. He is one of the most extensive growers in Connecticut, and is successful as a buyer, being at present the head of the well-known firm of Filley & Welch, of Windsor, dealers in leaf tobacco. His success in every undertaking has caused him to be sought as a member of various corporate enterprises, and he is a stockholder in the Windsor Creamery, and a member of the Moore's Park Driving Associa- tion, in which he was for several years a leader, his liking for good horses being shown by the ex- cellent specimens owned by him at times. For some time he was a stockholder in the Windsor Creamery Co., serving as treasurer for two years, and when the company failed he and Mr. Ellsworth bought the plant, and with characteristic energy re- organized it and built up the business, until it is to-day the most substantial concern in the town. At present Mr. Filley owns a large amount of real estate in the West, in addition to his property in Windsor. One secret of his success is the close familiarity with the details of the management of his varied interests, which enables him to secure the best results, and while he had the advantage of an excellent start in life he may justly be cred- ited with being to a great extent the architect of his own fortune. Politically he is active as a member of the Republican party, and while he would pre- fer to devote his attention to his private interests he has been a regular attendant at caucuses and conventions. For over ten years he has served as town treasurer, and in 1893 he was a member of the Legislature.

In 1882 Mr. Filley built a handsome and com- modious brick residence at the corner of Broad and Elm streets, Windsor, where he maintains the old- time hospitality of the family. His amiable wife, who was formerly Miss Julia Buckland, is one of the few remaining descendants of a family which was prominent in that locality from the carly days. Of the three children who have blessed this union the eldest, Hattie E., married Arthur Loomis, of Windsor, and has one son, George F. Mrs. Loomis is an artist of more than ordinary ability and skill, and her work commands high praise. Alice G., now Mrs. T. D. Harvey, of Windsor, is also highly accomplished. Joseph H. resides at home. The family is prominent in the best social circles, and is identified with the Congregational Church of Windsor, Mr. Filley being a member of the church committee. He also belongs to Poquonock Grange, and was one of the organizers of Windsor Grange, No. 3. He is a charter member of W. S. Pierson Council, O. U. A. M., at Windsor, and is well known as a thirty-second degree Mason, his name

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being enrolled in Windsor Lodge, F. & A. M .; Washington Commandery, K. 1., Hartford; the Mystic Shrine at Hartford (transferred from Bridgeport) ; and Norwich Consistory.

WILLIAM MOORE FOWLER, a well-known and honored citizen of Berlin, was born in what is now West Cromwell, Conn., Aug. 17, 1828, a son of Anson and Sallie (Bouge) Fowler. In their family were two children, the younger being Laura Ann, who died in West Cromwell, and was buried there. The mother was a native of Tolland, Mass. The father was a farmer in moderate circum- stances. For his second wife he married Clemenca Loveland, of Glastonbury, Conn., by whom he had four children, the only one now living being Mrs. Caroline Posco, a widow, of West Cromwell. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Julius Fowler, who was a well-to-do farmer of West Cromwell, mar- ried a lady named Moore, of Massachusetts, and to them were born six children.

Our subject was reared on the home farm, and acquired his education in the Cromwell schools. On leaving school, at the age of eighteen years, he commenced learning the blacksmith's trade with John Graham, in East Berlin, remaining with Mr. Graham until that gentleman's death, in all nine years. He then entered the employ of the Roys & Wilcox Co., of East Berlin, as a journeyman blacksmith, and remained with them until the con- solidation of the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co. In 1863 he became a contractor in the blacksmithing department of their works, which he still controls, and now has three men working under him.

Mr. Fowler was married Oct. 5, 1852, to Harriet Hubbard Graham, who was born in East Berlin April 10, 1833, a daughter of John and Mary ( Hubbard) Graham. Five children have been born of this union : William Moore, Jr., born May 27. 1857. now operates his father's farm on Hudson street. Berlin; Alfred Edward, born in 1861, died at the age of two months: Frederick Brown, born Nov. 24, 1864, is a joiner of Berlin : Charles Henry, born Aug. 10, 1867, is a resident of San Jose, Cal. : and Emma Jane, born Feb. 24, 1870, is at home.

In early life Mr. Fowler cast his first ballot with the Democratic party, but since 1858 he has been a stanch Republican. Although he has never cared for office, he has served as tax collector in his town. He is a member of Harmony Lodge. No. 20, F. & A. M., of New Britain, and was one of the charter members of the lodge which was started in Berlin, and in which he passed all the chairs. He is also a member of the chapter and council of the same fraternity, and lie and his wife and daughter belong to Berlin Grange, No. 24. In 1859 Mr. Fowler was made superintendent of the Sunday-school of the Methodist Church, and held that position for several years, but he now holds membership in the Congregational Church

of Berlin. and was elected superintendent of its Sunday-school in 1890. He also belongs to the Ecclesiastical Society of Berlin, and is a member of the church committee. He takes an active and prominent part in all church work, and his hon- orable. upright life commends him to the confidence and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact, in either his business or social relations.

DENNIS MOYNIHAN, an industrious and successful tobacco grower and farmer of East Hartford, has been identified with this section for several years. He is a native of County Cork, Ire- land, and a son of Dennis and Hannorah ( Healy) Moynihan, both natives of the same county.

Dennis Moynihan, the father, was a laborer in the old country, and lived there unti! 1891, when he and his wife were sent for by our subject, who fil- ially cared for them at his home in East Hartford. The father was born in 1817, and died July 6, 1900. The mother was born in 1828. Of their children the following are still living: Mary, in Melbourne, Australia : Dennis, the subject of this sketch; John, living somewhere in the United States ; Michael, in East Hartford, and employed in the railroad round- house : Jerry, supposed to be living in West Vir- ginia, as no authentic record of his death has been received : Timothy, who married Mary Nicholson ; and Hannorah, widow of Will Reardon, who was killed by a trolley car in East Hartford, where she still has her home.

Dennis Moynihan received but a limited educa- tion, and worked as a laborer in Ireland until about twenty-five years of age, when, in company with his sister Hannorah (now widow of Will Reardon), he sailed from Cork in the "City of Chester," and after a voyage of nine days landed in New York. They came thence to South Windsor, Conn., where Dennis found employment with Martin Reardon at $15 per month, and with him remained two years. He next worked for Tim Kelliner, and then for Dan Malone, and was with the latter when he mar- ried Miss Maggie Bevins, a native of County Tip- perary, Ireland, who came to the United States in 1885. This marriage has been blessed with four children, born as follows: Hannorah, April 22, 1889: Mary. Nov. 22, 1890; Dennis, Nov. 7, 1893; and Henry, Sept. 27, 1894.

Mr. Moynihan bought his present farm in East Hartford in 1891. It then comprised fifteen acres only, but by industry and good management he has increased it to twenty-three acres, ten of which are under cultivation in tobacco. That Mr. Moynihan is temperate and economical, as well as industrious, is shown by the fact that he paid his passage to America from his savings, landed in this country poor, and made his first purchase of land also from his savings. He is now well-to-do, and besides taking good care of his wife and children has been able to care for his aged parents.

Mr. Moynihan and his family are devout mem-

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bers of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He is a mem- ber of the Knights of the Maccabees, and in politics is liberal. Though very quiet in demeanor, he is a jovial, kind-hearted man, and a good and useful citizen, one whose many excellent traits of character have won for him the respect of the entire commu- nity.

LOUIS A. CLAPP, a well-known citizen and a prosperous farmer of the town of Windsor, was born there Jan. 14, 1857, a son of Alexander and Jane ( Bailey) Clapp, the Clapp family being an old one in New England, and descendants of Roger Clapp, who came hither from England in the early Colonial days.

Alexander Clapp, father of Louis A. Clapp, was born in Wethersfield in June, 1815, a son of Ros- well and Susan ( Pease) Clapp, the former of whom was a sea captain in his earlier days, but later be- came a merchant at Wethersfield. He had three sons, of whom Alexander was the eldest ; the second, William, settled at Brodhead, Wis., of which State his son Thomas became attorney-general : and the third, Charles, lived in Windsor, and reared a large family. Alexander Clapp when about six years old went to live with the family of John M. Niles, at Poquonock, and remained there until eighteen, during which period he attended the district school and Windsor Academy. When about nineteen years of age he took charge of a farm for a Mr. Griswold, and worked for that gentleman until his first marriage, which was to Huldah Griswold, daughter of his employer. She was soon called away, and Mr. Clapp next married Jane Bailey, who was born in South Coventry, Conn., in 1825. To this second marriage were born eight children, in the folowing order: Charles D., who died unmar- ried at the age of thirty-five years ; Lucy J., who was married to W. H. Atwood, of New Haven, and died in Windsor : Susan P., a highly-educated lady, of Hartford ; Mary, who died when two years old : Mary H., who died at the age of twenty-four years ; Louis A., the subject of this sketch ; Irving B., and Robert L.

Alexander Clapp was in politics a Democrat, and very popular with his party. In 1856, 1869, 1870 and 1874 he was elected representative from his district, and he also filled many town offices, such as first selectman, justice of the peace, grand juror ( for years), assessor, and member of the board of relief. He was appointed drum-major by Gov. Buckingham at a time that required the appointee to be thorough in his line of duty. He was always present at his party's conventions, in which he took a leading part, and at public gatherings invaria- bly introduced the orator of the day. All the lead- ing men of the State were acquainted with him, and his influence was much more than local. He was charitable and kind to all, and was everywhere re- spected. He measured about five feet, ten inches, in height, and weighed 160 pounds. His death

took place in 1879, and that of his widow in 1895, and the remains of both rest side by side in the cem- etery at Poquonock.

Louis A. Clapp was educated at "Elm Grove" school, under Roswell H. Phelps, and was reared to manhood on his father's farm. He was about twenty-one years old when his father died, and, being the eldest living son at that time, the responsibility of caring for the farm and family fell to his lot. A man of more than ordinary intelligence, he proved himself to be fully competent for the duties that thus devolved upon him, for, although his schooling began and ended at Elm Grove, he was a close home student, and acquired a great deal of useful knowl- edge through reading practical standard works on the arts and sciences, as well as literature of the highest class.

In the fall of 1882 Mr. Clapp (first) married Miss Martha L. Osborn, a native of East Windsor, and a daughter of David L. Osborn, an ex-soldier. He continued to live on the old homestead and to manage the farm for his inother until 1883, when he purchased the Roswell Miller farm with his own accumulations, and this has since been his place of residence. Mrs. Martha L. Clapp passed away in August, 1890, the mother of four children, of whom Grace M. is still living ; Claire B., while play- ing on a piece of timber floating in a pool on the farnı, fell off and was drowned, July 16, 1897; John O. still survives ; and Arthur died in infancy. Mr. Clapp next married Mrs. Clara F. Packard, of Springfield, Mass., who was formerly a school teacher for a number of years at Rockville, Conn. She has been for some time an active member of the Congregational Church. In politics Mr. Clapp is non-partisan. He believes in a protective tariff, but at local elections votes for the candidates best fitted to fill the office sought. He has himself avoided all overtures made to him to accept office, but as a matter of duty has served one term as as- sessor, and has been a committeeman in his school district.

Mr. Clapp is proficient in music, and no doubt inherits this gift from his father, the drum-major. He is a member of Putnam Phalanx, is its snare- drummer, and has accompanied this organization in its visits to many noted gatherings and celebrations throughout the United States. As a drummer he is a graceful manipulator of the "sticks," and he has taught in this line on scientific principles. He has frequently been called upon to act as judge in drum contests all over the State, and has thus offi- ciated in several State contests. As a violinist, also, he has more than a local reputation, although he has confined his performance on this instrument chiefly to local entertainments.

Mr. Clapp is emphatically a self-made man in the business sense in which that term is used, and through his own good management has secured for himself his comfortable home, his enviable position in society, and his high standing as a useful and

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public-spirited citizen. As a tobacco-grower he stands among the most successful. His crop is always well prepared and marketed in the best con- dition, and he was a pioneer in the practice of put- ting paper around tobacco bundles. He has greatly improved his farm since first taking possession of it, and now has one of the finest in the town.

HENRY M. ROSE is one of the most enterpris- ing and progressive agriculturists of West Suttield, and has been remarkably successful as a tobacco .. grower. In business affairs he is energetic, prompt and reliable, and his life history most happily illus- trates what may be attained by faithful and con- tinued effort in carrying out an honest purpose.

Mr. Rose was born in West Suffield Center April 23, 1860, and belongs to a prominent old fam- ily of Hartford county, more fully mentioned else- where. Mortimer Rose, his father, was born on the old homestead in West Suffield in 1822. He was a brother of James B. Rose, and first cousin of Oliver Rose, of West Suffield. He attended the district schools near his boyhood home, and was later a student in Wilbraham ( Mass.) Academy. During his minority he assisted his father in the labors of the farm, and later he and his brother James B. en- gaged in mercantile business, under the firm name of James B. & M. Rose, until 1865. They also be- came interested in other lines, such as general farm- ing and milling, and were extensive tobacco grow- ers, dealers and manufacturers of cigars, doing a large and profitable business. When Mortimer Rose withdrew from the firm he had $25,000. He pur- chased the old homestead, then owned by his brother James B., and upon that place-a tract of fifty-two acres-made many improvements and engaged in general farming, tobacco culture and stock raising for twenty years. Being a man of excellent business ability he met with good success in most of his undertakings, but during the Civil war he lost quite heavily, as the cigars manufactured by the firm were sold in the South. Mr. Rose died upon his farm in 1885, and was laid to rest in West Suffield cemetery. He was a supporter of the Democratic party, but never took an active part in politics, nor would he accept office. The cause of education, however, always found in him a firm friend, and in all his habits he was strictly temperate. Though not a member of any church, he was faithful in his ob- servance of the Golden Rule, and had the confidence and respect of all who knew him. He was noted for his integrity, and in the business world bore an enviable reputation for fair dealing. Mr. Rose married Miss Lucy Sheldon, of Suffield, a daughter of John Hlorace and Mary Ann ( Loomis) Sheldon, representatives of old families in Suffield. Mrs. Rose is a lady of refinement ; she now makes her home in West Suffield. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Rose are Henry M., our subject; Mary, wife of llenry Z. Thompson, of East Granby ; Mar- tha, wife of Benjamin Alderman, of East Granby ;

Alexander C., a groceryman of Hartford ; and James B., a farmer of West Suffield.

In the district schools of West Suffield Henry M. Rose acquired luis literary education, and upon the home farm obtained an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits. He has spent his entire life on the old homestead, comprising fifty-five acres, which he has successfully operated since 1886, and upon which he has erected a good barn and tobacco sheds. and made many other improvements which add to its value and attractive appearance. He is engaged in general farming and dairying, but makes a specialty of the raising of tobacco, and has dealt in the product to some extent.

In 1886, in Suffield, Mr. Rose was united in marriage with Miss Lena J. King, a native of that town, and a daughter of Cyrus and Sarah ( Case ) Ning. They have two children : Helen S., born in 1888: and Florence King, born in 1893. In his re- lgious views Mr. Rose is liberal, and in politics is independent. For six years he was a member of the school committee, and he has ever given his support to those enterprises which he believes calculated to advance the educational, moral and social welfare of the community in which he lives. Fraternally he is a charter member of the O. C. A. M., in Suffield.

HENRY HART CHAPMAN, an enterprising and progressive young farmer of Newington, is a native of the town of which he is now a promi- nent resident, born Sept. 5. 1867, son of Charles Edward and Mary ( Hale) Chapman, sketch of whom appears elsewhere.

Henry Hart Chapman was educated in the "Bell" school of Newington, and at the conclusion of his school days remained on the farm of his father, assisting in the careful, thorough and suc- cessful methods of farming there employed until 1896, when, on account of ill health, he went to California. He secured employment as salesman in the grocery of Herbert E. Andrews, in Glendale, Los Angeles county. But the climate did not bring the desired relief. Mr. Chapman was suffer- ing from inflammatory rheumatism, and the damp nights were unfavorable, so that he grew worse rather than better. He remained nearly two years,. and returned to Newington Nov. 11, 1897, continu- ing on the farm with his parents until March 15. 1898, when he purchased from G. D. Mills the farm of 150 acres on Newington avenue, turnpike, four miles east of New Britain, where he now resides. It is familiarly known as the "Jacob Dick place," and was once the site of a tavern and inn. Mr. Chapman is a prosperous farmer, and his success is attributed to his indefatigable industry. The farm produces large crops of corn, potatoes, etc .. and has extensive pasture and meadow land.

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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 128

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