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 134

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 134

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

the machine shop of the Broad Brook woolen mill, for two years, and for the following three years he was employed in a gristmill in the same village. On April 1, 1875, Mir. Levitt came to Bristol. Here he bought the trucking business that had been conducted by Alvie West and Asher C. Bailey as two different concerns, which he consolidated, making of them the finest truck house in the State, as he constantly employs from twelve to twenty men, seven wagons, and sixteen or twenty horses.

The marriage of Mr. Levitt to Miss Matilda Neuschler, a daughter of Ferdinand Neuschler, of Broad Brook, took place April 19, 1871, and this union has been graced with one daughter, Idella Agnes, a charming young lady, born April 20, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Levitt are ardent workers in the Prospect M. E. Church, in which he was a class- leader for years, and is at present district steward, while Mrs. Levitt is a member of the Ladies' Aid and Missionary Societies.

Fraternally Mr. Levitt stands very high as a Freemason, having reached a degree beyond which there is but one other, and that one but a few of the "brothers" care to take. He is a member of Franklin Lodge, No. 56, F. & A. M., of Bristol ; of Pequabuck Chapter. R. A. M., also of Bristol ; of Washington Commandery, Knights Templar ; of Sphinx Temple, Shriners, at Hartford; of Nor- wich Consistory, No. 32, and Scottish Rite, or Thirty-second degree, Masons. He is also a mem- ber of the O. U. A. M., of Bristol.

Mr. Levitt is of Republican proclivities, but has never made a race for office, although he has frequently been solicited to do so. He is emphati- cally a "self-made" man, as he has raised himself to his present responsible position from that of a penniless boy when he started out at the age of ten years.

LEMUEL LEE STEWART, ex-warden of the town of Bristol, is a leading contractor and builder of that locality, and has erected the larger number of the churches, schools and factories, to- gether with many of the finest residences, of the borough.

Mr. Stewart was born April 25, 1844, at New Perth, near Georgetown, Prince Edward Island, and is of Scottish ancestry in the paternal line, while his mother's family was of English origin. James Stewart, our subject's grandfather, was the first of the family to come to America. He settled at Three Rivers, near Georgetown, Prince Edward Island, being one of the earliest settlers of that section, and there spent the remainder of his life. engaged in shipbuilding and agricultural pursuits. He married a Miss McClearn. and had the follow- ing children : Donald, Charles, John, James. Isabelle, Christy, Jessie and Catherine, all deceased.

Charles Stewart, our subject's father, was born in 1802, in Perthshire, Scotland, and was but an infant when his parents came to America. The larger portion of his life was spent on Prince Ed-

1372

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ward Island, but in the autumn of life he removed to the Bermudas, where he died. His faithful wife, lesther (Gay), survives him, and resides with her son James H., in Boston. She comes of a well- known family, and her father, Ephraim Gay, was born in Belfast, Maine. At an early date he and luis brother and their families, comprising in all twelve persons. crossed from Belfast, Maine, to Prince Edward Island in an open boat, and made for themselves permanent homes. Charles and Esther Stewart had eleven children, of whom three died in infancy. The others were: Mary, wife of Donald Shaw, of Prince Edward Island; Catherine, wife of George Howard. of Philadel- phia : Elizabeth, wife of Henry Whitney, of Phil- lipston, Mass .; Jessie, wife of Edwin Coffin, of Charlotte-Town, Prince Edward Island: Henry; James H. ; Lemuel L. ; and Charles.

Lemuel L. Stewart .remained at the home farm until he reached the years of eighteen years, when he removed to Mystic, Conn., and spent two years working at the carpenter's trade. He then went to Philadelphia, and during the Rebellion was a carpenter with the army. Western Department. In 1865 he returned to Alystic, where he spent the following two years, in 1867 removing to Boston, Mass., and in 1868 to Wakefield, Mass., where he resided until 1878. In that year he removed to Kansas, but on returning in 1880 he located in Bristol, where he has since resided. Mr. Stewart served as burgess of the borough one year, asses- sor one year, and was elected to the position of warden of the borough in 1897, serving three vears. He affiliates with the Republican party, and both he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Stewart was married in Philadelphia, April 23. 1865, to Geierstein Spencer, a native of Houl- ton, Maine, and a daughter of Joseph Millette and Elizabeth S. ( Bonney ) Spencer. They have had three children: Charles Winfield, born at East Boston Jan. 20, 1868, resides in Bristol : Ida Lee, born in Wakefield, Mass .. Nov. 3. 1871, is the wife of William H. Rutledge, of New Canaan, Conn., and has one child, Ida: and Miss Mary Esther, born in Larned, Kan., May 23, 1880, is at home.

The Spencer family is of English extraction. but it cannot be traced further back than James Spencer, Mrs. Stewart's grandfather, a native of Greenbush. Maine. He married Annie Avres, daughter of William Avres, and the children were James. Valentine, Joseph M., and Lincoln and Amnie, twins, all now deceased. Joseph Millette Spencer was born at Greenbush, Maine, and there spent the early portion of his life. In 1864 he re- moved to Gloucester City, N. J., where he engaged in lumbering and shipbuilding. He married Eliza- lx th Small Bonney, and they had the following chil- dren: Phoebe Ann: Geierstein (Mrs. Stewart ) : Mary E., wife of Arthur H. Parsons, of Bristol : Zachariah Taylor, residing in Texas: Winfield Scott, residing in Glencoe, Ala. : and Adelaide N.,

.Augustus J .. Joseph and Clara Ella, all deceased.

The maternal great-great-grandmother of Mr. Stewart, Mirs. Carter, was formerly a Miss Pow- crs, and a sister of the mother of Horace Greeley. Polly Sparks, the maternal grandmother of Mrs. Stewart, was a daughter of John Sparks, who was born in Cherryfield. Maine. She married Abail Bonney, and their children were: Robert, David, Otis G., Elizabeth S .. Mary, George Thomas, and Joel, all deceased ; and Jolm, who is living.

CHARLES EDWARD PRIOR, secretary and treasurer of the Security Company of Hartford, was born in Moosup, Windham Co., Conn., Jan. 24, 1856. a son of Erastus L. and Sarah L. ( Burleson ) Prior.

Taken by his parents to Jewett City, in 1860, a considerable portion of the life of Mr. Prior was passed there, and the public schools of the town of Griswold afforded him the means of securing a good education. The year 1873 saw the beginning of his business carcer, when he began work in the office of the Norwich & Worcester Railroad Co., in Nor- wich. Two years later he returned to Jewett City to accept a position in the office of the Ashland Cotton Co., where he was soon advanced to the position of bookkeeper and paymaster for the pros- perous corporation. In 1883 Mr. Prior was elected secretary and treasurer of the Jewett City Savings Bank, and a few years later was made a corpora- tor and director in that institution. Under his care the bank developed rapidly, and became a well- known institution, his acknowledged ability in the management of its affairs winning and honling the public confidence to an unusual degree. During his official connection with the bank there was a great gain in deposits, a large premium account was charged off, and the surplus was quadrupled. In 1891, the Hon. George M. Landers, bank commis- sioner, pronounced it "one of the very few model banks of the State."

In December. 1894. Mr. Prior was tendered the position of assistant treasurer of the Security Company of Hartford, and Jan 28. 1895. com- menced his labors with that corporation. On March 2. 1896, he became secretary and treasurer of the Company. The Hartford Courant of March 3, said, "Mr. Prior, who becomes treasurer after a year's experience as assistant treasurer, has rec- ommended himself to the patrons of the Company and to all others who have made his acquaintance. and has fully justified his reputation acquired as treasurer of the Jewett City Savings Bank." In January, 1901, he was added to the board of trus- tees of the Security Company. His abilities are prized even outside of the Company he has served so well, and in January, 1899, he was elected one of the auditors of the Connecticut Mutual Life Insur- ance Company.

Mr. Prior is almost as widely known in musi- cal as in business circles. When fourteen years of age he became organist at the Congregational Church

1373

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in Jewett City, holding the position eight years, and it was at that time that his first musical composi- tions came to light. He is associate author of three Sunday-school singing books, "Spicy Breezes," "Sparkling and Bright," and "Our Best Endeavor," and has written quite a variety of miscellaneous music. Since 1881 he has been an honorary member of the Worcester County ( Mass.) Musical Associa- tion.

In early life Mr. Prior united with the Jewett City Baptist Church, and for many years served that body acceptably as choir leader and organist. He was also the first president of the Y. P. S. C. E. in his home church, holding the office several years ; and since coming to Hartford he has continued his activity in church work. For four years he was superintendent of the Asylum Avenue Baptist Sun- day-school, and president of the Young People's Society. He was for several years treasurer of the Baptist Young People's Union of Connecticut, treas .. urer and musical director of the Connecticut Baptist Bible School Union, and a member of the executive committee of the State. Sunday-school Association. He is now (1901) vice-president of the Hartford Baptist Union, and a director of the Y. M. C. A.

Mr. Prior was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Campbell, and they have one son, Charles Edward Prior, Jr., at present teller of the Security Company, and tenor of the Center Church choir. Our subject is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and in 1884 and 1885 served as master of Mt. Ver- non Lodge of Masons (Jewett City), and on Dec. 5, 1897, was knighted in Columbian Commandery, Knights Templar of Norwich.

GEORGE WHITEFIELD AVERY, M. D. (deceased), son of David and Rebecca ( Morgan) Avery, and a descendant of Capt. James Avery, of Groton, was born in Hampton, Conn., in 1836, and died in Hartford in February, 1893, after a few clays' illness.

In 1861 Dr. Avery, then in charge of the New Haven Hospital, joined the 9th Conn. V. I., and went with Gen. Butler to Ship Island, and later to New Orleans, where he remained for ten years, at first in hospital service, later, for a year, as sheriff of the city. In 1872 he removed to Hart- ford, where he was greatly esteemed and beloved by his patients and friends, many of whom still feel that his place can never be supplied. Rev. Dr. Parker. of the South Congregational Church, said at the funeral service: "It was my great privilege to know Dr. Avery very intimately. Our minds and hearts were congenial, and circumstances brought us together in a friendship that was strong and precious, and, on his part, as unselfish, gen- erous, tender and pure as the love of good women. "The fundamental elements of good, manly char- acter are sincerity and truth. Who that knew Dr. Avery could fail to perceive the predominance of these elements in his character? He was as true- ;

minded and true-hearted a man as can be found, and he pursued and obeyed truth with eagerness and delight. He scorned in his own downright and emphatic way whatever lacked the soundness of sill- cerity. Doubtless he was frequently too frank and outspoken for his own advantage, but it was not in his nature to wear any disguises, or to lay gifts on the altar of the goddess Prudence. It is good to have such men in the community. It is good to have them in the church. It is a great privilege to have their companionship, and to live in the at- mosphere of their influence and friendship.

"But this truthfulness and sincerity were very beautifully commingled and adorned in Dr. Avery with the kindliest and tenderest feelings that flourish in the human heart. He did not dole out, but poured out the love of his large heart. The cordial of his appreciations, of his encouragement, of his minis- trations, was like precious wine.

"Dr. Avery's Puritan pedigree was written all over him, and his Puritan inheritance was in the very grain and fiber of his being. Unyielding as a rocky cliff in what he deemed was right and dutiful, it needed no stroke of prophet's rod, but only the simplest touch of nature, to cause the rock to part and issue abundance of living and refresh- ing waters. He was a man of reverent, earnest and truthful Christian faith. He questioned much, he felt the stress of mystery all about and before him, but he bowed in humble, adoring faith before God and Jesus Christ. He had anchorage for his soul in the unseen and eternal."

ROSWELL DOANE SPENCER was born in Springfield, Bradford Co., Penn., and is of English extraction. His great-grandfather, Nathaniel Spencer, a native of England, came to America about 1777, and located in the town of Chatham, Middlesex Co., Conn. Subsequently he returned to England to reclaim some property, which he obtained, but was lost at sea while returning to his family in the New World. His wife was in her maidenhood Lydia Mack.

Hollister Spencer, only child of the above, and the grandfather of our subject, was born in Chat- ham, Conn., in 1778, and was there reared to man- hood. He became a farmer and also a sailor. He married Theda Sexton, and to them was born a son, Diodate, our subject's father, whose birth occurred in Chatham in 1812. In early manhood he was employed in the Maromas quarries of Middletown, Conn., and assisted in quarrying the stone used in the construction of Girard College, Philadelphia. In 1836 he married Miss Martha H. Doane, a na- tive of Haddam, Conn .. and a daughter of Ros- well and Hester K. (Chapman) Doane, of that place. Two children were born of this union : Ros- well Doane (our subject ) and Robert Emmett. Soon after his marriage Mr. Spencer, with others, went to Springfield, Bradford Co., Penn., making the trip with a six-ox-teani. He cleared a farm there,

1374

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

but about 1846 returned to Connecticut, locating at East Haddam, where he was more or less en- gaged in merchandising for eighteen years. In 1803 he went to Burlington, Penn., where he en- gaged in farming and later in mercantile business. His death occurred there June 10, 1870.

The boyhood and youth of Roswell D. Spencer were passed in Pennsylvania and Connecticut, and he received only a meager common-school educa- tion. At the age of eleven years he began his busi- ness life in his father's store, and from fourteen until twenty-two, a period of eight years, he was employed in the manufacture of britannia spoons at East Haddam, Conn. In 1862 he entered the employ of Gates Brothers, general merchants of Colchester, this State, serving them in the capacity of clerk until. 1867, when he embarked in general merchandising on his own account in the town of East Haddam, in which line of trade he success- fully continued there for fourteen years. In 1881 he located at Thompsonville, where for eight years he also engaged in merchandising, selling out in 1889, and in 1892 he engaged in the banking busi- ness at that place with his son, Robert E., under the firm name of R. D. & Robert E. Spencer, the bank being founded by the latter in September, 1887. He is now living in New Britain, this county.

In 1860 Mr. Spencer was united in marriage with Miss Mary Helen Mather, a daughter of E. Watrous and Elizabeth (Foster) Mather, of East Haddam. Five children were born of this union : Agnes I., Robert E., Herbert D. (deceased). R. Donald and Helen M. Mr. Spencer is a member and senior warden of the Episcopal Church of Thompsonville, and is a Knight Templar Mason, a member of the blue lodge, chapter and command- ery. His political support is always given to the Democracy, and he has served as selectman of En- field for one term. As a citizen he has manifested a commendable interest in everything that is calcu- lated to promote the general welfare.

MILES GLOVER WHITE, a prominent resi- dent of West Hartford, who is engaged in business in New York City, is a descendant of Philip White. who came from England at an early day and located in Lynn, Mass. He was at one time a light dragoon. He married a Miss Ramsdale, of Lynn, and re- turned to England, leaving his wife and child, Philip White, Jr., in Lynn. He is supposed to have been lost in the English Channel. His prop- erty in England was advertised for years, but his son would do nothing about it.

Philip White (2) was born in Lynn, Mass., April 12, 1760, and died Oct. 17, 1845. Before the Revolutionary war he lived with his uncle, Ezra Ramsdale, in Lynn, and then moved with him to Chatham, Conn. For seven and a half years he fought for American independence as a soldier of the Continental army. Being small of stature, he went by the names of "Frostbitten" and "Little Devil."" He married Olive Rowley, a daughter of

Eleazer Rowley, of Moodus, Conn. She was born in that place April 22, 1764, and died April 21, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. White lived at Chatham, prob- ably on the J. N. White place. They had seven chil- dren : (1) Hepsabeth, born Sept. 13, 1784, died Aug. 5, 1873. (2) Moses, born Nov. 3, 1786, died Oct. 7, 1843. He married (first) Nancy Loomis and (second) Sarah Gillett, and had one son and three daughters. (3) Olive, twin sister of Moses, mar- ried Thomas Almy, and had one son and three daughters. She died April 21, 1856. (4) Nabby, born March 19, 1789, died July 21, 1809. At the age of nineteen she married a Mr. Buel, and re- moved to Pennsylvania. On the trip she caught a severe cold in fording a stream, and died from the effects of the same. (5) Philip (3) is mentioned more fully below. (6) Sarah, or Sally, born April 1, 1797, died Aug. 15, 1883. She was married in 1816 to Charles Markham, and they had three sons and three daughters. (7) Caroline M., born Aug. 22, 1800, died Jan. 12, 1878. She married Titus Strong, and they had one son.

Philip White (3), born Feb. 3, 1795, married Lucy Niles, and they had nine children: (1) Glover Moses, father of our subject, was born Sept. 26, 1819, and died Aug. 26, 1872. He was at one time superintendent of the Mill Stone Point quarry, at Waterford, Conn., and was engaged in the granite business, in New York City, as a partner of Thomas Crane. He wedded Miss Mary Post Markham, who was born June 1, 1824. and died Jan. 12, 1887. Their only child was Niles Glover, the subject of this sketch. (2) Caroline M., born Nov. 10. 1821, died Sept. 27, 1881. She married Moses Sisson, and had one son, Henry, who died when about two years old. (3) John N., born Dec. 28. 1824. died Feb. 1I, 1890. He resided in Chatham, Conn., and married Julia Thomas, by whom he had three children-Frank S., born July 14. 1852: Lucy N., Aug. 28, 1855: and Grace S .. March 8, 1860. (4) Francis P. and (5) Olive M. both died in Norwich, Conn. (6) Alfred B., born Sept. 2, 1829, spent his school days in Chatham, and when a young man traveled in the South .for the firm of Case, Lockwood & Brainard, for a year. Later he engaged in bell manufacturing at East Hampton, Conn., under the firm name of Veazey & White, consolidating the factories of J. C. Hall & Co., Hiram Veazey and White & Barton. In 1882 he retired from business and removed to West Hartford, Conn., where he now lives retired. He married Elmina A. Daniels, and they have two sons-Glover M., born Jan. 13, 1870; and Alfred B., Jr., born June 14, 1877. They form the firm of G. M. White & Co., dealers in feed and grain, at East Hartford. (7) Lucy Adaline married Francis W. Brainard, and had two daughters. (8) Nabbie Eleanor. born in 1832, married Emerson E. Niles, of Albany, N. Y., and had one son. (9) Brockway J. married Levina Bevin, and had one son, Fred- erick, who was adopted by Moses Sisson, and bears his name.

1375

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Niles Glover White, whose name introduces this sketch, was born in Chatnam, Conn., Nov. I, 1850. He is of the third generation of practical granite-cutters in his family, having served a regu- lar apprenticeship to the trade in New York City, and entered the firm of Thomas Crane & Co., con- sisting of Thomas Crane and his father. Upon the death of his father he and Thomas Crane continued the partnership, and did business under the name of Thomas Crane & Co., at No. 340 Madison street, New York City, but our subject now carries on the business as the White Granite Co., at Long Island City, New York. He is a man of keen per- ception, unbounded enterprise and good executive ability, and occupies an enviable position in business circles.

At Guilford, Conn., Aug. 27, 1873, Mr. White was united in marriage with Miss Mary Cornelia Bishop, who was born there Aug. 27, 1853, a daugh- ter of Elisha Chapman and Charlotte Griffin (Fow- ler ) Bishop. To this union seven children have been born, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Mary Bishop, Aug. 16, 1874; Nellie Fow- ler, Dec. 29, 1876; Edna, June 30, 1879 ; Olive, Aug. 14, 188t; Lottie, Dec. 17, 1883; Bishop, Oct. 14, 1885: and Prentice, May 24, 1891.

In connection with his New York business Mr. White is also senior member of the firm of White & Whitmore, mantel, tile and interior marble deal- ers of Hartford. He has made his home in West Hartford since March 24, 1880. He is president of the Prospect Casino Company, a family club, and is quite popular in social as well as in business circles.

ARTHUR MANNING, a prominent and rising young mechanic and agriculturist of Manchester, was born Oct. 13, 1861, in Manchester, just across the line of East Hartford town, and is the youngest of the ten children that blessed the marriage of Charles F. and Lydia A. (Hilbord) Manning.

Charles F. Manning was born in Tolland, Conn., in 1817, received his education in the common schools and at an early age learned the blacksmith's trade. Being an expert, he was for ten years master mechanic for the New York, New Haven & Hart- ford Railroad Co., and later for Woodruff & Beach ( now Beach & Co.), on State street, Hartford, and finally purchased a farm in Hillstown on which he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1876, shortly after his return from the Centennial Ex- position in Philadelphia. The ten children born to his marriage, in 1841 or 1842, to Miss Lydia A. Hil- bord, a native of Scotland, Conn., were : Sarah Jane, who is married to Mark Aspinwall, and resides in Coventry, Tolland county: Charles F. and Julia, who both died young ; Edward, who married Fanny Leonard, and is now living in Glastonbury, Hart- ford county; Chester, who married Phebe Hyde, and is now occupying the farm in Manchester on which our subject was born : Richard, who married Ella Green, and is at present foreman in the Cheney

Co.'s silk factory, at South Manchester; Delia and Charles, who both died young; Silena S., who is married to Howard Geer, a resident of St. Louis, Mo .; and Arthur, the subject of this biography.

Arthur Manning received a good district-school education, learned the carpenter's trade, and was later employed for five years in that capacity at the Cheney Co.'s silk mill. He continued to live at home with his parents until one year after his mar- riage, when he purchased his present farm of seven- ty acres, which he has since conducted with abundant success in addition to following his trade.

On May 4, 1882, Mr. Manning was married to Miss Carrie M. Hills, daughter of William H. Hills, one of the most prominent and respected residents of Hillstown. Five children have crowned this union, as follows: Gertrude, born Jan. 1. 1885, is now attending the Willimantic high school ; Ethel, born July 19, 1887, is still under the parental roof ; Lester Arthur, born Oct. 13, 1889, died in March, 1894, and his remains lie interred in Spring street cemetery ; Bessie was born May 30, 1892, and Beulah Nov. 4, 1895.

Mr. Manning is a member of King David Lodge, No. 57, I. O. O. F., and in politics is a Democrat. His farm is under a high state of cultivation, and five acres of the seventy are devoted to tobacco growing. He began his business life with but a small capital, but has been very industrious, has always been willing to turn his hand to anything by which he could earn an honest dollar, and, being an excellent mechanic, has never lacked employ- ment. Aided by his excellent and estimable wife, whose affable manners and pleasant disposition have won for her the love and friendship of the entire community, Mr. Manning now finds himself in very comfortable circumstances, and justly deserves the high esteem in which he is held by all his neighbors.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 134

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