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 129

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 129

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Mr. Chapman married, Jan. 15, 1896. Miss Maria Louise Rogers, who was born in Hartford Oct. 10, 1868. the younger daughter of Stephen and Maria Louise (Devoe) Rogers. Stephen Rogers.

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was a native of Waterford; his wife was born in Yonkers, N. Y., and died soon after the birth of her daughter Maria, Mrs. Chapman. To Mr. and Mrs. Chapman have come two children : Charles Wells, born in Glendale, Cal., Jan. 16, 1897; and Richard Henry, born Sept. 27, 1898. Mrs. Chap- man is a member of the Park Methodist Church at Hartford. Mr. Chapman is a member of Our Brothers Council, No. 41, Sr. O. U. A. M., of New- ington. He is actively interested in farming, and the improvements which he has made on his land are bringing ample returns in largely increased productiveness. Though yet a young man, he has displayed ripe judgment in the management of his property, and is one of the most progressive agri- culturists of Newington.

GEORGE WASHINGTON SANDMAN. an energetic and successful farmer and tobacco grower of the town of East Granby, was born in Carrollton, Ky., April 29, 1859, and is of German descent, be- longing to a very old and respected family of Lan- caster county, Penn. His great-grandfather, Law- rence Sandman, was a well-to-do farmer and land owner of that county, where he was born in 1735 and died Feb. 17, 1810. His wife Mary was born in 1744, and died June 18, 1848, at the extreme old age of one hundred and four years.

Charles Sandman, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born April 21, 1787, and spent his entire life in Lancaster county, Penn. There he was mar- ried. Feb. 16, 1815, to Miss Amelia Yerkes, who was born Aug. 6, 1792, and they became the par- ents of the following named children : Mary Ann, born Feb. 4, 1816, married William Abbott ; Char- lotte, born Dec. 8. 1817, died Oct. 1.3, 1821 ; Mahala, born Nov. 19, 1819, married Michael Getman, of Saratoga, N. Y., and died June 13, 1842; Christian W. born Jan. 8, 182-, died Sept. 22, 1823; Will- jam Y., born Nov. 1, 1824, died Nov. 5, 1824; Charles Randall, born March 6, 1827, was the fa- ther of our subject: and Charlotte, born July 4, 1829. died Dec. 13 .. 1829. The family was well known in Lancaster county and highly respected. There the grandfather died Aug. 15, 1851, after which his wife came to Suffield, Hartford Co., Conn., and spent the remainder of her life with her children, dying here Feb. 2, 1859. She was a good Christian woman.

Charles Randall Sandman, our subject's father, was born, reared and educated in Lancaster county, Penn., where he also learned the trades of a cabinet maker, joiner and cigar maker, at which he worked in his native county for some years. With his little family he then came to Connecticut and took up his residence in Suffield, Hartford county, where he fol- lowed cigar making until 1857. During that year he removed to the "blue-grass region" of Kentucky, locating in Carrollton, where he engaged in carpen- tering until after the Civil war broke out. Being a strong Union man, he did some valuable service for | in-law's farm, at that time a tract of eighty-six acres.

the North as a spy, and when this was discovered by the Rebels he was ordered to leave. All his prop- erty and belongings were destroyed, and he was forced to move. T'aking with him his family, he went to Indiana, where he remained long enough to earn the money with which to carry them East, and in 1862 we again find him a resident of Suffield, Hartford county, where he engaged in cigar making for several years. Later he followed the trade of a carpenter and joiner in East Granby, continuing thus up to the time of his death, which occurred Dec. 3, 1867, his remains being interred in Suffield cemetery. He was a good man, well liked by all who knew him, and at all times was a loyal and patriotic citizen. He made great sacrifices for his country during the Re- bellion, and in its interest lost all that he possessed. Politically he was an uncompromising Republican, but never an office seeker. Mr. Sandman was twice married, and by the first union had one child, Mary Ann, born July 30, 1847. His second marriage was with Miss Sarah Elliott, who was born in England, and was eleven years of age when brought by her parents to the United States. Her father, Robert Elliott, was a native of the same country, and in America made his home in Lancaster county, Penn. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sandman were as follows: Amanda Frances, born Aug. 22, 1849, died July 26, 1850; Charles Randall, born July 12, 1852, died in December, 1852 ; Amelia Mahala, born Oct. 30, 1853, died April 19, 1854; Emogene, born June 27, 1855, was married, Dec. 3, 1874, to Eugene. Bills, and they have two children, Grace and Elliott, botli at home ; Ida L., born April 6, 1857, married Charles Williams, of Suffield, Hartford county; George W., our subject, is next in the order of birth ; Robert Anderson, born Oct. 7, 1862, is a farmer of the town of East Granby ; and Charles Grant, born Jan. 22, 1866, is also a farmer of East Granby. The mother departed this life March 10, 1897, and was buried in Suffield cemetery. She and her husband were both earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

George W. Sandman came with his parents on their return to Suffield, and he attended the public schools of that place and town of East Granby, com- pleting his education in the Suffield Institute. As he was quite young when his father died, he was early obliged to earn his own livelihood, and he worked as a farm hand in the town of East Granby, until 1883, during which year he was there married to Miss Ansoma S. Bates, a lady of culture and re- finement, and a daughter of Anson Bates, a lawyer, now deceased. Of the three children born to this union, Arthur is deceased, and another died in in- fancy unnamed, Howard G. being the only one liv- ing. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Sandman removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where he spent one year as con- ductor on a street car. The following year he passed in Massachusetts, and in 1885 he returned to the town of East Granby, locating upon his father-

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Here he has since made his home and has devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, making a spec- ialty of tobacco culture, being one of the largest pro- ducers of tobacco in the town. He affiliates with the Republican party, and is a stanch supporter of its principles, but has never been an aspirant for office. He is a member of the Grange, and he and his fam- ily attend the Congregational Church. They are widely and favorably known, and have many friends in the community where they reside.

WILLIAM CASEY, a well known and promi- nent citizen of Enfield, was born in County Cork, Ireland. June 17. 1820, a son of John and Katherine ( Dineen ) Casey.

Mr. Casey was reared to manhood in his native country, where he served a seven-years apprentice- ship at the blacksmith's trade, and later worked as a journeyman three years, in Ireland. In 1850 he came to America and settled in Enfield, where he car- ried on the blacksmith's trade for many years, and, to use his own phrase, "does a bit of it yet." He has also. since 1884, conducted a livery stable in Hazardville, and has accumulated a competency. Mr. Casey married Bridget Dorgan, a daughter of William and Catherine ( Shea) Dorgan, of Enfield. and to this union were born eight children, three of whom survive : John, Katherine ( who is a Sister of Mercy ), and Mary. Mrs. Casey died March 7. 1896, aged sixty-five years. Politically Mr. Casey .is a Democrat, and in religious faith he is a Roman Catholic.

ROBERT COSMOS ELLRICH, a well- known machinist, pattern-maker and inventor, re- siding in Southington, was born on the ship "Cos- mos." March 30, 1852, while his parents. Frederick Robert August and Wilhelmena ( Miller ) Ellrich, were crossing the Atlantic, with the intention of making their future home in America. They were natives of Saxony, Germany. Landing in New York, they made their home there for nine years. and in 1861 removed to New Haven, Conn., in 1868 becoming residents of Southington. The father, a blacksmith by trade, followed his vocation during his residence in these places. He died in Plantsville, July 6. 1870.

Our subject accompanied his parents on their various removals, and during his boyhood obtained a limited education in the common schools. At the age of thirteen years he entered the employ of the Plant Manufacturing Co., New York City, and con- tinued with them there and at Plantsville up to 1860, when he entered the employ of what is now the Peck. Stow & Wilcox Co., to learn the pattern- iraker's trade, which he followed twelve years. In 1881 the Ellrich Hardware Co. was formed as a stock company, with George S. Allen, president: T. At- water Barnes, of New Haven, secretary: Sherman Blakeslee, treasurer : and Robert C. Ellrich, super- intendent. As manufacturers of hardware spec-

ialties this company existed for ten years. Since- 1891 Mr. Ellrich has been in the employ of the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co., as a machinist and pattern- maker. He is also the inventor and patentee of some twenty-five specialties manufactured by them, among the latest being the New Triumphant meat cutter, the New Ideal cutter, and the Ellrich solid bar wrench : there is such demand for the latter that the firm cannot fill the orders fast enough.

On April 10, 1878. Mr. Ellrich was united in. marriage with Miss Emma Feucht, a daughter of Jacob and Amelia Feucht. of Southington, and they have three children: Etta L., Robert G. and Charles N. Politically Mr. Ellrich is a Republican .. and fraternally he is a member of Friendship Lodge, No. 33. F. & A. M.

PATRICK J. LEE. The Lee family is probably of English extraction, although for several genera- tions past resident in County Clare, Ireland. Both the father and grandfather of Patrick J. Lee were tenant farmers, and men of considerable local prom- inence. Michael Lee married a Miss Bryan, and was the father of four sons and three daughters : Dennis, John, Michael. Thomas, Bridget, Margaret and Honora. John Lee. the father of Patrick J., emigrated from Ireland to America in 1851. but was attacked with illness during the voyage, and died within four days after landing at New York. He married Margaret Fitzpatrick, by whom he had two children-Michael J., born in 1838, and Patrick J., who was born in October. 1842. His wife died in 1853.

Patrick J. Lee was a lad of scarcely ten years when he accompanied his mother to New Britain. His early educationad advantages were such as the district schools of that day afforded. his mother's limited means not enabling her to do what her mater- nal heart prompted. Had he followed his own bent cultivating those native powers of the mind which have brought about his success, his course in later life might have been different. As it was, he found it necessary to leave school at the age of thirteen,

and the education and general information which enabled him to hold his own in any controversy he

acquired through his own unaided efforts. As a boy he worked in shops at New Britain, and on reaching the age when maturity and love of adven- ture join in stimulating a desire for change. he set out from Connecticut for California, whither his brother. Michael, had already preceded him, in 1858. He made the trip via the Isthmus, the time con- sumed being twenty-eight days. Even as a young man he manifested that enterprise which he always showed in later life, and which was the nucleus of his success. In company with his brother he trav- eled through Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Nevada. From Helena he returned to New Britain in 1869, and entered into the grocery business in connection with his brother. Michael J., and Daniel Flynn, the firm continuing in existence for seven years. At the

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end of that time Michael J. retired, and Messrs. Lee & Flynn conducted the business together, it being located for twenty-seven years at No. 16 Sexton street. In 1897 they closed their grocery, but con- tinued in the wholesale liquor business, being pio- neers in that line of trade in New Britain. In that vear Mr. Flynn died, and Mr. Lee purchased the interest theretofore held by him, and conducted the business alone until his death, on December 4, 1898. It is now in care of T. F. Lee, at No. 300 Main street.

Mr. Lee was a man of unusually good business judgment and endowed with wonderful energy. He clealt extensively in real estate and was a large land owner. He accumulated, through his own exer- tions a handsome fortune, leaving an estate valued at $70,000. He was a man of broad views and was distinguished for his public spirit, always taking an interest in every measure looking to the upbuilding of the city. He was one of the original promoters of the Opera House Company and a director and large stockholder therein. He was a Democrat in politics and an active worker in his party's interests. For several years he represented the Fifth ward in the City Council, with advantage to his constituents and honor to himself. In social life he was genial, courteous and generous. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and of St. Patrick, being a charter member of both organizations, and treasurer of the latter from the date of its establish- ment in New Britain until his death. He was also a member of the Catholic Legion. He was a Roman Catholic in faith, and belonged to St. Mary's parish, contributing liberally to the cause of religion, as well as to public and private charities. His death was deeply mourned, not only by his own personal friends and acquaintances, but by the community at large.

Mr. Lee married Bridget, a daughter of John Cloughessy, of County Clare, Ireland, and to them were born five children : John A., who graduated from Yale College in 1895, and is now practicing medicine in Brooklyn : Thomas F., who is manager of the estate; and Margaret, Frederick and Robert C., who are living at home. THOMAS F. LEE Was educated at the New Britain High School, but left that institution in 1894. a year before graduation, to enter into business as an assistant to his father. He is an enterprising young business man, posses- sing the qualities of mind and heart which made his father successful and so widely beloved.

LEWIS ALFRED MORAN, a prominent cit- izen of Windsor Locks, is deserving of special men- tion in this volume as a man of enterprise and abil- ity. For many years he has been identified with the business interests of his village, which he has seen develop from a mere hamlet to its present size, and his influence is also felt in local affairs, although he is not a politician in the strict sense of the word, and is disinclined to enter the arena as a candidate for official honors.

Mr. Moran is of Scottish descent in the paternal line, but his ancestors came to New England dur- ing Colonial times. Gaylord Moran, his grandfa- ther, was born in the town of Suffield, Hartford county, where he passed his life in agricultural pur- suits. He married Deborah Parmelee, a member of another Suffield family, and they had the following children : Eliza ( Mrs. King), William, Phcebe, Caroline, Alfred, Mary and George, all now de- ceased.

Alfred Moran, the father of our subject, was a native of Suffield, where he received a common- school education. As a young man he learned the carpenter's trade, but for many years he was en- gaged in tobacco raising in addition to that work. He was much respected for his excellent qualities of character, and at times held minor town offices. Mr. Moran married Julia A. Lamberton, who was born in Fredonia, N. Y., a daughter of James Lam- berton, formerly of Windsor, Conn., and Lewis A., our subject, is the eldest of four children born to this worthy couple; Edward William and Henry James reside in Suffield; and Martha died in infancy.

Lewis A. Moran was born Feb. 25, 1839, at the old homestead in Suffield, and was educated in the schools of that locality. He learned the carpenter's trade with his father, and for some time was em- ployed as a journeyman in Springfield, Mass., Hart- ford, Conn., and Cleveland, Ohio. In 1871 he en- gaged in the meat business at Windsor Locks, but in 1889 he sold out to C. C. Graves and resumed his former 'work as a carpenter. At present he is also interested in the raising of tobacco, in partnership with his brothers, and is regarded as a substantial citizen. He is not a member of any church or social organization : politically he is a strong Democrat, and for two terms he served as selectman, but on being elected to the offices of town clerk and treas- urer he declined to accept.

In 1868 Mr. Moran was married, at Mamaro- neck, N. Y., to Miss Rebecca Sherrer, who died in 1873, leaving two children : Ernest Lewis, a resident of East Windsor: and Rebecca Lydia. In 1879 Mr. Moran was married in Windsor Locks to Miss Lily T. Whipple, by whom he has had two children : Emma ( deceased) and Raymond A.

JAMES BIRMINGHAM, a well-to-do agricul- turist of the town of East Windsor, is a typical self-made man, and in the following record of his career there is much to arouse respect and esteem. He has placed his reliance upon industry and per- severance rather than "luck." and by making the most of circumstances, however discouraging, has made his way to a substantial success, his fine farm near Broad Brook village being a tangible evidence of prosperity.

Mr. Birmingham was born in 1836 in County Galway, Ireland, son of Michael and Nora Bir- mingham ; his father was a farmer and stock herd-

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er. When a boy Mr. Birmingham learned to make himself useful in various lines of work, as his par- ents had but limited means, and for the same rea- son his educational privileges were meagre. Work was scarce and wages low, and on growing to man- hood he found no chance to gain a competence and establish a home for himself. He married Miss Kate Healey, a native of the same county, and for a time worked at any labor that could be obtained, but finally concluded to come to the United States in order to better his condition. Having saved the passage money from his earnings, he left his wife and family, which then consisted of two sons, and miade the voyage in 1865, and soon after landing came to Windsor Locks, where he earned his first American dollar as a tender to the masons employed in the construction of the Stockinet mill. He was faithful and industrious, the hope of sending for his beloved wife and children being a constant inspira- tion. In the following spring he was employed as a farm hand by Jabez S. Allen, with whom he re- mained eight years, and later he worked three years on the farm of Levi Webster, his long terms of ser- vice with these thorough-going managers showing lis reliability and efficiency. Every cent that he could spare was sent to his wife, and in 1875, after a separation of ten years, she and the children re- joined him, the voyage being made in ten days on the "Adriatic." of the White Star line. Soon after- ward Mr. Birmingham bought his present farm, where he has made many improvements, and with the help of his estimable wife and enterprising sons he has made it a valuable homestead. While he is a man of strong character, as shown by his history, his manner is quiet and unassuming, and as a neigh- bor and a citizen he is much esteemed. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, and he and his family are leading members of St. Catharine's Catholic Church at Broad Brook. His four chil- dren would do credit to any parents. (1) Michael, a resident of Hartford, married Jennie Durn, and has two daughters, Mame Frances and Christine Agatha. (2) Patrick F. also resides in Hartford. (3) James, a promising young agriculturist, now takes charge of the farm, and relieves his father of business cares. (4) Miss Katy resides at home.

CHARLES FREDERICK MICHAEL, pro- prietor of the "Commercial House," at Bristol, is a self-made man whose career shows the value of enterprise and energy when wisely directed.

Mr. Michael was born April 12, 1849, in Katz- huette, Province of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, Ger- inany, son of Christian and Laura (Tischer) Michael. His paternal grandfather, Nicholaus Michael, was born in that province, and spent his entire life in his native land. By occupation he was a wood chopper. He fought with the Prus- sian army against Napoleon Bonaparte in 1812, be- ing taken prisoner at Moscow, and after gaining his liberty returned to his native province, where he died about 1854. He married Barbara Baumann,

who survived him, and died in Union City, Conn. They had a large family of children : (I) Carl, who died in Terryville, Conn., married Lena Troll, who died in Germany, and they had five children, of whom two are living-Emma, wife of Andrew Karlman, of Terryville; and Frank, who resides in New York. (2) Louisa married Heinrich Heinze, and both died in Germany. They had four chil- dren-Laura, residing in Lynn, Mass .; Emil, resid- ing in New York City; and Egbert and Edmund, residing in Newark, N. J. (3) Christian, our subject's father, is mentioned more fully below. (4) Caroline was married (first) to Heinrich Troll, and (second) to Christian Schwabe, and now re- sides in Union City, Conn. By the first union she had two children-Fredericka, wife of Emil Mathes, of Terryville; and Miss Emma, who resides in Union City. By the second union there were three children-Hattie, wife of Charles Rasguin, of Union City; Adeline, wife of Thomas Clator, of Toledo, Ohio; and Fred, now residing in Cleve- land, Ohio. (5) Heinrich died in boyhood. (6) Frederick served in the war of the Rebellion, and died of consumption in Terryville some six years after his discharge. (7) Henry served five years in the Mexican war, also fought in the Rebellion, and died in New York about 1897. (8) Otilla married Henry Scherr, and resides in New York City. They have six children living. (9) Adeline married Charles Clump, and resides in Cleveland, Ohio.

Christian Michael, our subject's father, came to America in 1859, and remained at Meriden, Conn., with his sister, Mrs. Henry Scherr, for about two months. He then removed to New Britain, where he resided until February, 1862, and has since made his home at Terryville. His wife died in March, 1897. Our subject was the eldest of a family of ten children, of whom three died in childhood. Of the others, Louis resides in Bristol. Louisa, wife of Carlton B. Ives, resides in Bristol. Lillian is the wife of George Scherr, of Bristol. Conrad resides in Terryville. Minnie married Louis Burg, of Bristol. Emma died at the age of sixteen.

Charles F. Michael was ten years old when he came to America with his parents, and his educa- tion was gained partly in his native land. He attended the public schools of Meriden and New Britain, and later entered the employ of J. B. Sar- gent, of New Britain, with whom he remained only six months, as the family removed to Terryville. There he worked at the manufacture of cabinet locks for a year, and was afterward engaged with Eli Terry, a manufacturer of clock springs, until the closing up of that business. He was next em- ployed by the Eagle Bit & Buckle Co., with whom he learned the business of silver plating, and re- mained until the firm dissolved, when he entered the employ of Gaylord, Mix & Co., mail bag lock manufacturers. Two years later this business was purchased by the Eagle Lock Co., and Mr. Michael remained with the latter firm until 1872, when he

C. F. Michael

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removed to Winsted, Conn., and kept a billiard saloon for a year. In 1873 he removed to Bristol, and on Aug. 31, of that year, he purchased the land upon which the "Commercial House" now stands. On the following day ground was broken and work commenced, and on April 1, 1874, he opened his hotel under the name of the "Bismark House." In 1875 he sold out the hotel and removed to Terry- ville, where he remained two years, but on his re- turn to Bristol he resumed the management of the hotel, which in the interval had been renamed the "Commercial House." Some six years later he again sold out the hotel, but a year later resumed its management. In 1889 he again sold out, but since 1890 he has operated the hotel continuously. He is also builder and owner of the Bristol Opera House, and treasurer and manager of the Bristol Journal, the only daily paper in the borough of Bristol. He and his family are much esteemed so- cially, and he belongs to Pequabuck Lodge, No. 48, I. O. O. F., being a charter member ; the Daugh- ters of Rebekah, same order; Adelphi Lodge, No. 12, New England Order of Protection; Bristol Lodge, No. 28, A. O. U. W .; and Guttenburg Lodge, No. 570, D. O. H. He has always been a Democrat, and was elected justice of the peace, but did not serve. He served one term on the board of burgesses, when Dr. E. P. Woodward was warden.

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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 129

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