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 14

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 14

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).

During his boyhood and youth John A. Reeve was a student in the schools of New Haven and Middletown, and also attended the high school of New Britain. He came with his parents to Bur- lington, and after his father's death took charge of the home farm, to which he has added until he now has a valuable and well-improved place of 150 acres. He also has a large tract of timber land, and is successfully engaged in lumbering, gen- eral farming, stock raising and dairying. He has made many improvements which add greatly to the value and attractive appearance of his place.

In 1894, in the Collinsville Catholic Church, Mr. Reeve was married by Father Quinn to Miss Annie Lovett, a native of Canterbury, Conn., and a daugh- ter of Leonard Lovett. She is a lady of refinement, a graduate of Willimantic (Conn.) State Normal School, and is a consistent member of the Catholic Church, to which Mr. Reeve also belongs. They have three children, Arthur John, Henry Francis and Edward Hermon.

Mr. Reeve is a leader in the ranks of the Demo-

Guy Loomis, our subject's father, was a well- to-do farmer of Salem, where he died, Nov. 25, 1857. His wife, whose maiden name was Abigail Chapman, lived to the advanced age of eighty- three years, her death occurring in 1860. Our subject was the youngest of a family of six chil- dren, all now deceased : Abigail married Col. Frank Jones, and died in Salem; Alfred went to California in early manhood, but returned to Con- necticut, and lived to old age; Sophia married Hamilton Chapman, and died in Norwich, Conn .; Nelson, who died in Philadelphia at the age of eighty-four, retired from business at thirty-three, with a large fortune, and for many years was prom- inent in the Presbyterian Church, and was elder for thirty years; Elijah, a farmer by occupation, died in Salem.

Our subject remained at home until he reached the age of eighteen, his education being obtained in the district schools near by. He then entered the employ of his brother Nelson, who was a pub- lisher and jobber of books, and carried on business extensively through agents in different parts of the country, and for several years our subject delivered and collected for the firm, handling large amounts of money, and traveling over much of the country. On Jan. 5, 1845, he was married, in East Lyme, Conn., to Miss Nancy D. Chappell, who was born Aug. 17, 1822, daughter of Daniel and Hannah (Loomis) Chappell, of East Lyme. They located

839

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in Salem, but as his business then called him away from home they did not go to housekeeping until ten years after marriage. Later Mr. Loomis gave up traveling, bought a farm at Salem, and in 1866 he sold out and removed to Tariffville, where he engaged in the tobacco business, buying extensively, and also growing the weed. At different times he was associated with his brother-in-law, Ariel Mitchelson, but after a time he abandoned the to- bacco business, simply because conscience would not permit him to continue in a line of work which produced such bad effects on the young. For some years he followed mercantile business, being one of the best known merchants of Tariffville, but in about 1896 he sold out and retired. He ac- quired a comfortable competence, his securities be- ing regarded as "gilt-edged," and owned several valuable properties in Tariffville. He was one of the first depositors with the Hartford Trust Co., and ever after continued to transact business through them. In all his dealings he made it a rule to pay cash, not a penny of indebtedness being held against him, and his success reflected the more credit upon him when it is remembered that he started in life practically without capital. Until recent years he enjoyed excellent health, and his jovial disposition not only enabled him to get the best of life as he went along, but brought pleasure to a wide circle of friends. Politically he was a Republican for many years, but became a Prohibitionist from prin- ciple. Although he neared his eightieth milestone, passing away July 23, 1900, one dollar would cover the entire liquor bill of his life. He was promi- nent in religious work as a member of the Con- gregational Church of Salem, to which his widow also belongs, and for more than half a century of happy wedded life they maintained consistent Chris- tian lives. Of their two children, (1) Ida Salina, born March 20, 1852, married Samuel Penfield Bolles, of Hartford, and died July 5, 1878. Her only child, George L., born June 25, 1878, died when ten months old. (2) Joel O., born April 24, 1854, is a druggist in Hartford. He married Miss Nellie R. Coe, of Tariffville, and has three children, all living, Ida C., now Mrs. Frederick Davis, of New Haven; Katie; and Nellie M. Ida C. has two children, Ruth Loomis and Harold Coe, our subject's great-grandchildren.

HON. MATTHEW C. WOODFORD. Promi- nent among the enterprising business men of Union- ville is the subject of this review, who has. for several years successfully conducted a general store at that place. The prosperity that has come to him is certainly well-merited, as in him are em- braced the characteristics of unbending integrity, unabated energy and industry that never flags. He is also public-spirited, and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of his town and county.

Mr. Woodford is a native of Hartford county,

born in Burlington Aug. 5, 1837, and is a son of Corydon Woodford, and grandson of John Wood- ford, both natives of Avon. The latter was fa- miliarly known as Major Woodford. He married Belinda Hart, a daughter of Deacon Ard Hart, of Burlington, and had four children: Corydon, Or- son, Antoinette and John, all now deceased. The father, grandfather and great-grandfather of Major Woodford bore the name of John. Corydon Wood- ford was reared in West Avon, and there attended school. He was engaged in farming, and also car- ried on mercantile pursuits for twenty-five years in Collinsville and Avon, while he also served as postmaster at West Avon for fifteen years. Po- litically he was a stanch Republican, and on his party ticket was elected selectman and assessor of his town. Religiously he was a consistent member of the Congregational Church. He married Miss Sylvia Woodruff, a daughter of Alanson Wood- ruff. She died in 1889, and he in 1887, in Union- ville.

The primary education of our subject, acquired in the public schools of Collinsville, was supple- mented by a course in the high school of that place, and later he graduated from the New Britain Nor- mal school. At the age of eighteen he commenced teaching, and for six years he devoted his atten- tion almost exclusively to that profession, being principal of the high school at East Hampton. He also taught in Newington, Burlington and Avon, Conn .; since then he has taught twelve or fifteen terms of winter school.

On June 9, 1861, Mr. Woodford purchased a store in Harwinton, Conn., which he conducted for five years, and was acting school visitor there, while he filled the same office in Avon for ten years. In Harwinton he married Miss Helen M. Beach, a daughter of Hon. Moses Beach, judge of probate. In 1866 he returned to Avon, where he bought a farm and engaged in agricultural pur- suits for some years, and for twelve years he car- ried on a store in West Avon. In 1889 he became connected with the Upson Nut Co., in whose office he remained for two years, and in 1891 he opened the general store at Unionville, which he con- ducted with marked success, having by fair and honorable dealing built up a good trade, until March 28, 1899, when he was succeeded by Ed- ward T. Thompson. Mr. Woodford is receiver for the Upson & Hart Co., of Unionville, manufactur- ers of cutlery and hardware. In business circles he stands high, and is also quite prominent in pub- lic affairs. He was a member of the State Legis- lature in 1867; has been selectman for three or four years since that time; was town clerk in 1869 and 1870, and judge of probate for ten years, in all of which positions he served with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of all con- cerned. Religiously he is an active member of the Congregational Church, and treasurer of the So- ciety.

840

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

HENRY SIDNEY PEASE (deceased), who in his lifetime was a well-known lumber dealer of Thompsonville, was for a third of a century promi- nently identified with the business interests of that place. Energy, close application, perseverance and good management-these are the elements that en- tered into his business career and crowned his efforts with prosperity.

Mr. Pease was born in the town of Enfield, Nov. 27, 1847, and was of the eighth generation from Robert and Marie Pease, the progenitors of the family in Salem, Mass., and Enfield town. Rob- ert Pease is supposed to have been a son of Robert and Margaret Pease, of Great Baddow, County of Essex, England. He sailed from the port of Ips- wich, England, in the ship "Francis," in April, 1634, and landed at Boston. He located in Salem, Mass., where he died in 1644. His son, John Pease, was born in England in 1630, and came with the family to the New World in 1634. He first married Mary Goodell, daughter of Robert Goodell, of Salem, Mass., and for his second wife wedded Ann Cummings, daughter of Isaac Cummings, of Topsfield, Mass. He settled as a yeoman in that part of Salem known as Northfield, and his name is found frequently in the Essex county and Salem records as grantee, grantor or witness to deeds, overseer of mills, constable, etc. About 1682 he became a resident of the town of Enfield, Hart- ford Co., Conn., where he died suddenly July 8, 1689. His son, Deacon Isaac Pease, was born in Salem, July 15, 1672, and was married in 1691 to Mindwell Osborn. They located in the northeast- ern part of Enfield town, where he appears to have been an extensive land holder, and he was also among the first to hold the office of deacon in the Congregational Church in the town. He died June 9, 1731. Ezekiel Pease, son of Isaac, was born in Enfield June 20, 1710, and on reaching man's es- tate married Harriet, daughter of Henry Chandler, an early settler of Enfield. By occupation Ezekiel Pease was a tailor and school teacher, and for fif- teen years he served as town clerk, being known by the title of Master Pease or Clerk Pease. He made his home in the eastern part of Enfield town, where he died in 1799. His son, Isaac Pease, was born in that town Jan. 7, 1752, and first married Submit Spencer, daughter of Hezekiah Spencer, of Somers. His second wife was Mrs. Rachel (Brooks) Williams. He located in the eastern part of Enfield town, at Scitico, and there died in 1820. His son, Isaac Pease, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Enfield town March 27, 1778, and was a clothier by trade. In early life he removed to Long Meadow, Mass., but later re- turned to Enfield, where he departed this life Nov. J, 1836. His wife, Elizabeth, was a daughter of Col. Asaph Terry, of Enfield.

Theodore Pease, our subject's father, was born at East Long Meadow, Mass., Jan. 22, 1815, and in early manhood went to Somers, but shortly after-

ward came to Enfield, where for many years he was engaged in the manufacture of tinware, and also dealt in stoves, sending peddlers out over the county. Prior to this time he had been interested in the gro- cery business, and also in the clothing, boot and shoe trade, and later gave his attention to the lum- ber business. He met with a fair degree of suc- cess in his undertakings, and had the confidence and respect of his business associates and fellow citizens. He died in Thompsonville, Jan. 4, 1892. His first wife, the mother of our subject, was Eva- line Killam, of Enfield, and after her death he wed- ded Julia E. Steele.

Henry S. Pease, whose name introduces this sketch, was the fifth child and second son in the family of six children born of his father's first union, and always made his home in the town of Enfield. He received a good public-school and academic education, and began his business career about 1866 as a member of the firm of T. Pease & Sons, the partnership existing up to the formation of the T. Pease & Son Company. On the death of the father, in 1892, the business was divided, but two years later our subject again embarked in the lumber trade, which he continued to carry on with good success.

In 1869 Henry S. Pease was united in marriage with Miss Carrie S. Van Horn, a daughter of Syl- vester Van Horn, of Thompsonville. Although not a member of any religious denomination Mr. Pease attended the Universalist Church, and gave to the support of all; socially he was a Master Mason, politically a Republican. His life was such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the busi- ness world, for he ever conducted all transactions on the strictest principles of honor and integrity. His devotion to the public good remains unques- tioned, and arose from a sincere interest in the wel- fare of his fellow men. He passed from earth July 12, 1900.

AMON BRADLEY, one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of Southington, was born in that town Feb. 20, 1812, and traces his ancestry back to Isaac and Elizabeth Bradley, of Branford, Conn. The name of Isaac Bradley first appears on the Branford records in 1674, where he is mentioned as a "sojourner at New Haven," and the town granted him a house lot of two acres at Canoe Brook. In 1683 he removed to East Haven, where he died Jan. 12, 1713, aged sixty-two years, and his- wife died Jan. 3, 1713, aged fifty-six years.

Samuel Bradley, son of Isaac, was born in 1686, and was married, Jan. 17, 1715, to Sarah, daugh- ter of Jacob Robinson, of East Haven.

Daniel Bradley, son of Samuel, and the grand- father of our subject, was married, Nov. 28, 1751, to Sarah Judd, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Hollister) Judd, of Glastonbury. She died Nov. 19, 1764, after giving birth to her sixth child, the father of our subject, by reason of which he was

Sylvia Bradley

Amon Brantley

841

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

called Ichabod. In 1774 these children became heirs to a large property from the grandfather, Benjamin Judd. Daniel Bradley was again married, Feb. 12, 1767, his second union being with Mehit- abel Hemingway, of East Haven. He lived in East Haven until 1779, when he removed to South- ington, where he subsequently purchased a large farm, and there made his home until 1798, when he removed to Litchfield.

Ichabod Bradley, father of our subject, was born in East Haven Nov. 10, 1764, and was married, Nov. 27, 1788, to Miss Abigail Moore. The founder of the Moore family in the New World was Deacon John Moore, who settled in Dorchester, Mass., in 1630, and removed to Windsor, Conn., with the first settlers, about 1635. He frequently served as juror, and was deputy to the General Court from Windsor in 1662, 1665, 1667 and 1674. He lived in that part of Windsor now known as Simsbury, and died Sept. 18, 1677. His son, John Moore, was born in Windsor Dec. 5, 1645, and died there. On Sept. 21, 1664, he married Hannah Goffe, who died April 4, 1697, and on Dec. 17, 1701, he married Martha Farnsworth. His son, John Moore, was born in Windsor June 26, 1665, and married Abi- gail Strong. Their son, John, the grandfather of Mrs. Ichabod Bradley, was born March 21, 1694, and died at Lake George, N. Y., Aug. 12, 1758. On Dec. 2, 1724, he married Abigail Stoughton, a daughter of Capt. Thomas and Abigail (Edwards) Stoughton ; the latter was a sister of Rev. Timothy Edwards, the father of the celebrated Dr. Jonathan Edwards. Roswell Moore, the father of Mrs. Brad- ley, was born in East Windsor Mav 17, 1728, and located in that part of Farmington now known as Southington, June 30, 1775. He married Desire Dunham, daughter of Gideon Dunham, formerly of Martha's Vineyard. He died Dec. 13, 1794. In 1779 Ichabod Bradley came with his father to South- ington, where he successfully engaged in farming throughout the remainder of his life. He died Oct. 13, 1832, aged sixty-eight years, and his wife April I, 1832, aged sixty-three. Their children were Polly, wife of Benjamin Andrews; Wyllys, who married Fanny Stedman; Roswell, who married Julia Newell ; William, who married Sarah Gilbert : Diadamia, wife of Julius Hart ; Hial, who married Eliza Gilbert ; Charles, who married Delia Sted- man; and Amon, our subject, who is the only sur- vivor of the family.

Amon Bradley was reared upon a farm, and re- ceived a good common-school and academic edu- cation. He continued to work upon the old home- stead until his twentieth year, and then engaged in general merchandising in Southington for about two years, after which he spent two winters in the South, traveling as a peddler of dry goods and Yankee notions through Virginia and North Caro- lina. In 1835 he again embarked in general mer- chandising, and continued in that business until 1866, for some years having Merritt N. Wood- ruff as a partner, the firm name being Amon Brad- ley, & Co. Mr. Bradley has represented the Ætna

Fire Insurance Co. in Southington for over forty years, and there are few enterprises in the town that he is not interested in, but since his retire- ment from merchandising, in 1866, he has given his principal attention to his real estate interests. He has acquired a handsome property through economy, thrift and perseverance, and has become one of the prosperous and substantial citizens of the community.

On Oct. 9, 1836, Mr. Bradley married Miss Sylvia Barnes, of Southington, and to them were born three children: Franklin B .; Alice B., de- ceased wife of Norman A. Barnes ; and Emma M., wife of Edward S. Yeomans. Truman Barnes, Mrs. Bradley's father, was born April 23, 1783, and was a prominent farmer of Southington. He was married, Jan. 3, 1805. to Lowly Barrett, a daughter of William and Ruth (Coggswell) Bar- rett. His father, Jonathan Barnes, was born Feb. 2, 1731, and was married, Aug. 4, 1757, to Eliza- beth Woodruff, daughter of Hezekiah and Sarah (Macon) Woodruff, of Southington. Jonathan Barnes lived on East street for some time, but later removed to Kensington road. His parents were Stephen and Martha ( Wheadon) Barnes, of Bran- ford, who at an early day removed to Southington, where he died March 27, 1777, and his wife March 18. 1773, she being the first one interred in Plants- ville cemetery. Stephen Barnes was a son of Stephen and Mary Barnes, early settlers of Branford, Conn., formerly of Long Island.

There are few men in Southington that have done more for its commercial interests and its growth and development than Mr. Bradley. When the Lewis Academy was erected he was one of the building committee, and by lis zeal and enter- prise he, with others, promoted the cause and se- cured the charter of the Southington Savings Bank, of whose first board of directors he was a member, having continued as such to the present time. Po- litically he has always been a stanch Democrat. He was postmaster of Southington for twelve years, and represented the town in the State Legislature in 1863, 1864 and 1866. He is the oldest living Freemason in the place, having joined Friendship Lodge, No. 33, F. & A. M., of Southington, about 1850, and he is honored and respected wherever known.

HON. AMOS DOWN BRIDGE, a prominent and influential citizen of Enfield, and one of the leading business men of Hazardville, has shown in his successful career that he has the ability to plan wisely and execute with energy, a combina- tion which, when possessed by men in any walk of life, never fails to effect notable results.

Mr. Bridge was born in Milton, County of Kent, England, Aug. 27, 1838, a son of John and Mary (Prickett) Bridge, who came to America in 1842 and located in Enfield, Hartford Co., Conn. The father was employed as a packer at the Hazard Powder Mills about three years, and for the fol- lowing four years was engaged in the fish and

842

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

yeast business in Thompsonville. About 1850 he erected the store in Hazardville now occupied by E. C. Allen, and engaged in general merchandising there until 1870, when he retired from active busi- ness to enjoy a well-earned rest. He was born July 3, 1800, and died April 21, 1873, while his wife was born Sept. 10, 1802, and died Jan. 15, 1871. Of the nine children born to them, seven reached years of maturity : George; John W .; Ruth, wife of Rev. Henry D. Adams; Amos D .; Ephraim; Ebenezer ; and Stephen.

Our subject was reared in Enfield, and was edu- cated in the common schools, and the Connecticut Literary Institute, at Suffield. He began life for himself as a clerk in a general store, serving in that capacity four years. He then entered the employ of the Hazard Powder Co., as office boy, and worked his way steadily upward until he became chief clerk for that corporation, with which he remained for eighteen years. In 1875 he embarked in the manu- facture of keys for the same company, and carried on that business for ten years. Later he operated a sawmill, which he still owns, has conducted a gristmill since 1888, and has been extensively en- gaged in the lumber business since 1878. He is a large land holder, owning upwards of 1,200 acres in Enfield, Somers, Suffield, Windsor Locks and Longmeadow. He has done a large business as a contractor, erecting numerous dwellings and other buildings in Hazardville and vicinity; is an ex- tensive builder of Macadam roads in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts; and built and owns the Hazardville Water Works. In these vari- ous enterprises he furnishes employment to 125 men, thus materially promoting the welfare of the community. He is a surveyor of some note, and has made special surveys for maps of Hazardville, the Hazard Powder Works, and the Shaker settle- ment the most accurate made. He keeps thirty horses, and does the principal teaming for the Hazard Powder Co. Mr. Bridge has been re- markably successful in his undertakings, and in care- fully studying the plans and methods he has fol- lowed we see evidence of an ability for manage- ment and execution seldom equaled. A man of keen perceptions, of great sagacity, of unbounded enterprise, his power nevertheless lies to a great extent in that quality which enables hini to suc- cessfully control men and affairs.

On Feb. 24, 1859, Mr. Bridge was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Gordon, daughter of William and Jean ( Bauchop) Gordon, of Enfield, and to them have been born eight children: H. Stephen; Allen G .; Anne (wife of Lincoln H. Randall), William A., Homer E., Emily G., Mary L., and Charles A. They also have two adopted children : William G. Holford and Jean P. Hol- ford.

Mr. Bridge is an active and prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as trustee and classleader. He affiliates with

the Republican party, and is prominently identi- fied with public affairs, serving as auditor of ac- counts in Enfield town for twenty years, assessor seventeen years, selectman one year, a member of the board of relief several terms, a member of the Enfield school board ten years, and representative of the Third District in the State Senate during the session of 1891-92.

HON. EDMUND HALLADAY, a prominent citizen of Suffield, and one of the best-known busi- ness men of that place, is a native of the town, born May 8, 1852, and descends from one of the oldest and most reputable of its families.

Walter Halladay, the first bearing the family name to settle in Suffield, came from his birthplace, near Boston, Mass., in 1673, locating in Springfield, Mass., of which Suffield was then a part, and there engaged in farming until his decease. He mar- ried Catherine Hunter, and to their union were born five children : Mary, Samuel, Sarah, Ebenezer and Aaron.

Aaron Halladay, great-grandfather of the sub- ject of this memoir, was born in Suffield, where he passed his entire life, engaged in farming. He married Naomi Smith, who bore him eight children, in the following order : Moses, Aaron, Nathaniel (or Nathan), Naomi, Walter, Ruth, Horace Smith and Persis. Aaron Halladay, the father, was an extensive land owner and one of Suffield's most progressive and respected citizens ; he was a good and pious gentleman, and died in the faith of the Congregational Church, to which he had been reared from childhood.

Moses Halladay, eldest son of Aaron, and grand- father of our subject, was born on his father's farm, was reared to a knowledge of all the complexities of agriculture, and was also in his younger days taught the carpenter's trade. He married Mary Tobin, a native of Suffield, and by her became the father of four children : Edmund T., Timothy R., James C. and Mary Maria. The last named still survives, at the age of ninety-four years, and is the widow of Cornelius Flower, of Feeding Hills, Hampden Co., Mass. Moses Halladay and his wife were both called from earth many years ago, and their remains rest in peace in the cemetery at Suf- field.

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 14

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