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 148

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 148

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JOSEPH WATSON VIBERT. The struggles called out by an early orphanage, pitiful at times, often prove a blessing in disguise. by developing those persistent and industrious traits of character that lead steadily up the pathway to success.

Joseph W. Vibert, the subject of this sketch, when but five years of age was deprived by death of his father's care and protection. He was born on a farm in the town of Manchester, Hartford county, March 14, 1823, son of Loren and Roxa (Keeney) Vibert. At the age of nine he began working for his board and clothes in the village of Manchester, and when twelve years of age he came to East Hartford, working for a time on a farm, then spending five years of his youth in the labor of the gristmill at East Hartford. In 1847, more than a half century ago, and when he was yet a young man, Mr. Vibert moved to Scuth Windsor. He has ever since resided in that town, in the vicinity of South Windsor post office, except two years he spent in East Hartford. In 1873 he re- moved to his present farm, where he has lived ever since. Mr. Vibert owns about twenty-five acres of land, fifteen of which is tobacco land. For many years he has raised with great regularity fourteen acres of tobacco each year.

Mr. Vibert was married, in November, 1850, to Miss Eveline Clark, who was born in the town of South Windsor, Sept. 25, 1827, daughter of William and Lucy (Haves) Clark. She, too, like her husband, was orphaned when a child, her fa -. ther dying when she was only eight years old. At the age of ten she went to live with the family of Horace Newberry, and there remained until her marriage to Mr. Vibert. She is a devoted wife and mother, and is beloved by all who knew her for her charitable and womanly graces of character. To Mr. and Mrs. Vibert have been born three chil- dren : Charles W., a farmer of South Windsor; Walter M., who is still at home ; and Horace H., who is also a farmer of South Windsor.

In polities Mr. Vibert is a Republican. In 1891 he was nominated by the party and elected as a member of the State Legislature, serving through the session of 1892. He is honored and esteemed for his many estimable qualities : is in- telligent and well informed, and is practically self- educated, for as a poor boy his opportunities for an education were few.

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CHARLES HARTWELL MILLER, one of the enterprising and progressive young farmers of Newington, was born in Hartford Feb. 16, 1875, son of Lewis and Georgia ( Nott) Miller, who are now residing on a farm on Robbins avenue, New- ington.

The father is a native of Simsbury, and the mother of Hartford. The paternal grandparents of our subject were natives of Avon. Lewis Miller, like his ancestors before him, was a farmer by oc- cupation, and shortly after his marriage located on a farm on New Britain avenue, owned by the com- pany which conducts the Retreat for the Insane. It was on that farm that our subject was born. In 1884 Lewis Miller purchased fifty acres of land on Robbins avenue, and besides farming his place conducted an extensive milk business in Hart- ford. Our subject was the eldest of a family of six children : Charles Hartwell, born Feb. 16, 1875; Herbert Henry, Oct. 27, 1877 ; Carl Nott, July 13, 1879; Lulu, May 1, 1881; Vivian Clayton, April I, 1883 ; and Elsie Baldwin.

Charles Hartwell Miller received his schooling in the White street and the Lawrence street schools, Hartford. His father removed to Newington in 1881, and afterward our subject continued his ed- ucation in the Newington schools. In 1897 he pur- chased his father's milk business, which has in- creased rapidly under his management. He also looks after his father's farm, and in addition has leased an adjoining farm of several acres, which he also operates. He is a young man of sterling business qualities, and an intelligent farmer. His many estimable qualities are appreciated by the com- munity in which he lives.

Mr. Miller married, Jan. 25, 1897, Miss Anna Clark, of Newington, and their marriage has been blessed with one child, Florence Levina, born March 14, 1898. In politics our subject is an uncompro- mising Republican. His ancestors have been Re- publican before him, and the principles of the party are thoroughly ingrained in his character. Mr. Miller is thoroughly self-reliant and energetic, and in his previous successes has gained that stability and confidence of character which has in it much of promise for the future.

ARTHUR J. CHURCHILL, a progressive and successful agriculturist of Southington, was born on the Churchill homestead in that town Dec. 20, 1862, a son of Franklin Dwight and Jane L. ( Blakeslee ) Churchill.

The father was born in Bethany, Conn., Feb. 14. 1834, son of Lewis and Sarah C. (Tuttle) Churchill, the former a native of Wolcott, the lat- ter of Bethany. Lewis Churchill was born in 1793, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. In 1859 he located in Southington, on the farm now owned and occupied by his descendants. He had four children who reached maturity: Sophronia, wife of Luke Piper; Sarah Finette, wife of Jesse

Brockett; William; and Franklin D. His father, David Churchill, was born in Bristol, Conn., and married Sarah Alcott. David was a son of David Churchill, Sr., of Bristol, who married a Miss Blakeslee, of New Haven.

Franklin D. Churchill, the father of our sub- ject, has been a resident of Southington since 1849, and is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. He married Jane L. Blakeslee, a na- tive of Prospect, Conn., and a daughter of Elihu and Fanny ( Baldwin) Blakeslee. Her maternal grandparents were Daniel and Temperance Baldwin. Her paternal grandfather, Sherman Blakeslee, was a blacksmith by trade, and a thorough wagon maker. He was a descendant of Samuel Blakeslee, a native of England, and also a blacksmith by trade. who came to Boston about 1630, and later re- moved to New Haven. Our subject is the eldest in a family of three children, the others being Franklin B. (a jeweler of Montana ) and William D.

Arthur J. Churchill owns and operates a fine farm on West street, Southington, and is meeting with well-merited success in his chosen occupation, From his place he has gathered an excellent col- lection of Indian relics. He is a member of the Congregational Church, and a supporter of the Re- publican party.

JEFFREY DONAHUE, a well-known resident of New Britain, represents an excellent type of citizenship, and the high esteem in which he is held may be inferred from the fact that he has fre- quently been chosen to local offices of responsibility, and has never been defeated when he has appeared as a candidate.

Like many of our successful citizens Mr. Dona- hue is of Irish descent, and his family has been prominent in County Tipperary, Ireland, for gen- erations. Jeffrey Donahue, our subject's grandfa- ther, was famous as one of the "Donahues of the Glen." He was a man of fine natural talents, and throughout his life was a successful agriculturist in County Tipperary, where he was much esteemed. He married a Miss Gorman, a noted beauty, and had four children : John, Margaret, Mary and Kate, of whom two came to America.

John Donahue, our subject's father, was born at the old home in Ireland, and as a young man en- gaged in farming on an extensive scale for that locality. He was much esteemed in the community, and was a devout member of the Roman Catholic Church, to which the family has always adhered. Ile died in Ireland in 1854, at the age of thirty- eight years. His wife, Catherine Burke, who died in 1893, was a native of County Tipperary, and became the mother of four children of whom Jeffrey was the eldest, the others being: Thomas, who resides in Litchfield, Conn .; Mary, now de- ceased ; and a child that died in infancy.

Jeffrey Donahue was born Dec. 23, 1843. in County Tipperary, and received a good practical

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

education in the National schools near his home, attending until he reached the age of sixteen. He then began an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, serving four years, and gaining a thorough knowledge of all its details. For about two years he followed the trade as a journeyman in Ireland, and in April. 1865. he came to America, locating in Litchfield, Conn., now Torrington, where his brother-in-law resided. Two years later he settled in New Britain. continuing his work as a car- penter, and about 1875 he engaged in business on Beaver street, opposite his present location. For six years he was in partnership with Michael Mc- Connell, a brother-in-law, and since that time he has carried on business alone, being very successful. Mr. Donahue takes an intelligent interest in public affairs, being a constant reader of the newspapers, and for years he has been active in municipal pol- itics. He was a member of the City Council for three years. 1883-'84-'85, and alderman from the Third ward for two years. In 1891-'92 he was a member of the board of fire commissioners, under Mayors Pease, Corbin and Pickett, and became chairman of that body to succeed Capt. Beacon. He also served one year as assessor for the town and city, and his popularity makes him a leader in the local Democratic organization. Socially he is identified with the Order of Foresters, the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Legion and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and at one time he belonged to Putnam Phalanx.

Mr. Donahue married Miss Julia Dwyer, of New Britain, and they have had nine children, namely :- John F .: Lucy: Willie: Miss Minnie, who is at home ; Thomas, deceased ; Joseph, who assists his father in business; Katie, deceased; and Miss Maggie and Willie (2), who are at home.

DANIEL W. THOMAS, proprietor of the Tunnel Park Meat Market, at Hartford, but a resi- cent of East Hartford, and occupant of a handsome dwelling on Central avenue which he erected in 1873, is one of that excellent class of citizens which any community might be proud to claim. He de- scends from one of the oldest families of New England, and was born in Chesterfield, N. H., July 6. 1840. the family in that State having been founded by a son of one of three brothers, who had come from England in Colonial days and settled the town of Hardwick, Massachusetts.

Daniel W. Thomas is a son of Aaron and Gratia (Cressey) Thomas, the latter a descendant of one of the wealthiest families of England. Aaron was a son of Amos and Mary ( Emmons) Thomas, who attained the ages of eighty-two and eighty-eight years, respectively, and were farming people. Amos was born Oct. 11. 1765. and died Dec. 11, 1847 ; his wife, Eleanor, daughter of Noah Emmons, was born Sept. 29. 1759, and died June 19, 1848. Na- than Thomas, father of Amos, died in 1790, at the age of seventy-one years, and his wife, Hepzibalı

(Farr) Thomas, died in 1818, at the age of eighty- eight. Nathan Thomas came from Hardwick, Mass., and was the founder of the family in New Hampshire. He was a farmer, and owned the farm on which our subject was born, and which has now been in the family for over two hundred years. All the Thomases are large, stalwart people, and the father of our subject weighed over 200 pounds. Our subject himself is a man of fine physique and robust constitution, and is a fine-looking man gen . erally, by heredity.

Amos Thomas, grandfather of Daniel W., was a farmer by calling, and to his marriage with Miss Emmons were born : Susan, Oct. 17, 1785, married Lemuel Preston, and lived in Worcester, Mass., Aaron, Jan. 10, 1787. father of Daniel W .; Lydia, Nov. 21, 1789, married Eleazer Farnsworth, and died in Brattleboro, Vt .: Amos, Nov. 28, 1791, died young; Ichabod. May 22, 1795. died in northern Vermont, at a great age: Daniel, March 8, 1797, died young : Patience. May 23, 1799, married John Bemis, and lived in Dummerston, Vt .; and Enos, June 16, 1801, died at Dummerston.

Aaron Thomas was born on the farm that be- came the birthplace of his son Daniel W. He served in the war of 1812, and saw service in the Black River country and at Sacket's Harbor, New York State. On Dec. 20, 1810, he married Betsey Chamberlain, who was born March 19, 1791, daugh- ter of Ebenezer Chamberlain, and after her death. on Sept. 19. 1815. he married, Dec. 14, 1819, Miss Gratia Cressey, who was born in Chesterfield, N. H., March 12, 1793. and was a daughter of Jona - than and Lydia ( Wright ) Cressey. Jonathan Cressey was born June 15. 1756, a son of Michael and Catherine Cressey, and Michael, born in Eng- land Aug. 10. 1728, was a son of Jonathan and Eleanor Cressey. The first wife of Aaron Thomas died leaving two children: Enos, born Aug. 6. 1812, was a mason, and passed the greater part of his life in Worcester, Mass., where he died when nearly seventy years of age: Lockhart, born Marclı 12, 1815, who lived on the old homestead, lost his eyesight through an operation when a boy of six- teen, and was blind for years. The children by. the second marriage were eight in number: Elizabeth. born Oct. 2, 1820, married John Heywood, and died in Brattleboro. Vt., in 1895: Orison, born Aug. 2, 1822, died in Sauk county, Wis., in 1898, Israel, born July 5. 1824. died on the homestead in Vermont. Jan. 4. 1863 : Chester W., born April 25. 1826, in Brattleboro, was a soldier in the 4th \t. V. I. in the war of the Rebellion; Albert J .. born May 28, 1828, died Jan. II, 1862; Emerson B., born June 1, 1830, was a member of Company K. 25th Conn. V. I:, and died in the Charity Hos- pital, New Orleans. La., June 20, 1863; Amos F., born Jan. 23, 1833, is a farmer on the old home - stead in Vermont : and Daniel W. is the subject of this sketch. The father of this family passed away March 3, 1871, and the mother Aug. 5, 1844, their

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remains being interred in Brattleboro, Vt. Aaron Thomas was a sheep grower, an industry largely followed in his day in New Hampshire, and died a highly-respected and well-to-do citizen. He was granted a pension for his services in the war of 1812, and continued to draw it until death. In politics he was first a Whig, then a Know-Nothing and lastly a Republican, to which party he firmly united himself; he was a strong Abolitionist. member of the Universalist Church, he was active in its behalf up to within two years of his death. He was always well posted on the topics of the hour.

Daniel W. Thomas walked two and a half miles to and from school between the ages of four and sixteen years, and then attended the academy at West Brattleboro, Vt., one year. He assisted on the home farm until 1858, and then went to North- ampton, Mass., where he was employed for some time in a steam sawmill. He next secured a position in the Vermont State Asylum, at Brattleboro, as "boss of the teams," and was there two years, while there marrying, Oct. 11, 1861, Miss Persis Kellogg, a native of Jamaica, Vt. She was born Jan. 9, 1842, daughter of Amos R. and Mary (Goodale) Kellogg, who had a family of six sons and four daughters, Mrs. Thomas being the third born and the second daughter. She was reared in Jamaica, and at fifteen taught school for $2 per week, "board- ing round."

In November, 1861, Mr. Thomas came to Hart- ford, and was employed as a delivery man by Rod- ney Clark, a meat dealer at No. 506 Main street, receiving $13 per month as wages. The beef was killed early in the morning, and at once brought to town to sell. This was Mr. Thomas' first ex- perience in the meat trade. Emerson Thomas, brother of our subject, bought out Mr. Clark, and a Mr. Cook bought out Emerson, but our subject still continued on as deliverer until he enlisted, in August, 1862, in Company K, 25th Conn. V. I. While in camp at Centreville, L. I., Mr. Thomas was detailed for duty with the signal corps, and on this duty sailed from New York for New Orleans, La., on the ship "Windemere," and saw service in the vicinity of Baton Rouge and Port Hudson, La., being present at the surrender of the latter place. On Aug. 8, 1863, he left New Orleans with the regi- ment and returned to New York, and on Aug. 26. 1863, was honorably discharged at Hartford, Conn. Here he went to work in the City Hall Market, on Market street, as meat cutter for John Gridley, and continued thus until March, 1864, when he was ap- pointed on the Hartford police force. as a super- numerary : in September. 1864, he became a regular officer, and served until Nov. 1. 1875, when he re- signed to go into the grocery business, at the cor- ner of Morgan and Front streets, succeeding Charles Holden. He remained in that business until 1878. when he re-entered the meat trade, which he has .

followed in Hartford ever since, with the exception

of two years passed in East Hartford. He became the proprietor of the Tunnel Park Market, at No. 1417 Main street, in October, 1891, and has out- lived all the butchers of his early days.

To the marriage of Mr. Thomas with Miss Persis Kellogg have been born two children: Al- bert L., born June 19, 1864, now chief of police at South Manchester, is married to Bertha May Mor- ton; Adah K., born Sept. 13, 1872, was married, Oct. 1I, 1898, to John L. Havens, electrician to the Hartford Electric Light Co., and is residing in East Hartford.

Mr. Thomas is a stanch Republican. He is a charter member of Rodman Post, No. 65, G. A. R., of East Hartford ; was first a member of Hartford Lodge, No. 82, I. O. O. F., but withdrew to help organize Crescent Lodge, No. 25, of East Hartford, of which he was the first vice-grand, and is still a member. He is an outspoken man, strives hard to do right by all his fellow men, and in consequence is honored by everybody.

H. G. MILLS, an enterprising farmer and pro- gressive dairyman of Bloomfield, was born in New Hartford, Conn., Feb. 14, 1858, and is a son of Elijah Mills, who was born in Windsor, Conn., in 1833, but who passed many years of his life in New Hartford, with his residence at No. 14, Elmer street.

H. G. Mills was educated in the public schools of his native town, in which he continued to re- side until 1876, when he removed to Windsor, Conn., where he lived four years, employed as a butcher, in association with his father. In 1880 he went to Hartford, where for four years he en- gaged in the same line of business on his own account, and then for two years lived in Bark- hamsted, Litchfield county, Conn. ; he next returned to Hartford, and for four years was employed in Colt's armory. In the spring of 1891, Mr. Mills settled in Bloomfield, and has here since been en .. gaged in farming and in the creamery business, meeting with pecuniary success in both.

Mr. Mills was happily united in marriage, Dec. 5. 1878, at New Hartford, with Miss Alice M. Messenger, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Barnes) Messenger, of North Canton, and the result of this union has been two children-Edith May and Arthur Henry. Mr. Mills is energetic and industrious, attends strictly to his business af- fairs and eschews politics. never having sought nor held office, and has been respected for his probity wherever he has resided.

FRED H. THRALL. Few young men in Con- necticut are as well known in business circles as is the subject of this sketch, the manager and part owner of a large farm in the town of Windsor. and his phenomenal success as a tobacco grower would seem to indicate the presence of the element of "pure luck," concerning which so many moralists

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express doubt. The careful observer will find, how- ever, that his success has not been gained without substantial cause, in which a careful and exhaustive study of methods, and an untiring energy in carry- ing out his plans, are joined with that remarkable aptitude for the work which brings with it a natural insight into the proper conditions to be maintained in order to produce the best results. As a mere boy he gained widely recognized superiority over men who had grown gray in the business, and the high quality of his crops is conceded by all dealers. In 1898. a notable year for tobacco growers, he was one of the first in the State to dispose of the crop, which brought the highest price paid.

Mr. Thrall was born Nov. 3. 1872, at the pres- ent homestead, a fine estate overlooking the Farm- ington river. His father, the late Thomas M. Thrall, was born at the homestead Nov. 23, 1840, and was educated at the old brick school in Dis- trict No. 8. in the town of Windsor, where he at- tended during the intervals of farm work. After the death of his father he took charge of the place. in partnership with four of his brothers, and for many years he was successfully engaged in tobacco raising in connection with general farming. Polit- ically he was a stanch Democrat, and while he was not a partisan in the strict sense of the word he took an influential part in local affairs, and at one time served as first selectman. While he left a handsome competence, his best legacy to his chil- dren was an honorable name. and the memory of a life crowned by many generous deeds. On Jan. 31. 1865. he married Miss Emma I. Treadway, who was born Jan. 4. 1842, in New London county. Conn .. and they had two children, of whom our subject is the younger. Cora E. married Arthur B. Cowan, of Hartford. and has three sons, Ray- mond T., Kenneth B. and Thomas L. Thomas M. Thrall died May 22, 1889. and his widow is still living at the homestead, the passing years leaving her in unimpaired health. She is noted as one of the best housekeepers in the town of Windsor, her industry and energy having been put to the test by the care of a large house even before her mar- riage. Her kind heart has won her the esteem of the entire community, and as a wife and mother she has proved herself worthy of all honor.

During boyhood our subject attended the local schools, with three years at Windsor Academy, and in the meantime he took keen interest in the work of the farm, in which he assisted at times. Even then lie was a student of scientific methods of tobacco raising. and often wanted to test plans which he has since put in operation with excellent results. He was not vet seventeen when his father died, and he continued with his uncles in the management of the place, gradually assuming more and more re- sponsibility. While he is of powerful build he does not take off his coat and work with his help, but simply oversees and directs as he sees fit. At pres- ent he is the most extensive grower in the town,

and is individually the chief owner of the home- stead. Seven men are employed the year round, while during the busy season eighty or ninety are needed. It is Mr. Thrall's policy to pay good wages, and secure the best help, regarding this as essential to good results, and his ideas are in every way thoroughly progressive. In addition to the care of his farm he is interested in various cor- porate enterprises, being a director in the Windsor Fair Association, and the Tobacco Growers Insur- ance Co., for protection against hail. As a citizen he enjoys a high reputation, and while he is too busy with his private affairs to hold office he gives efficient aid to the local Democratic organization, and serves as a delegate to county conventions at different times. U'nlike many young men he is in- clined to remain at home and attend to business rather than to seek enjoyment elsewhere: if he has a "hobby" it is a fondness for a good horse, and he owns several fine specimens. He is generous at heart. and, as in past generations, the Thrall home- stead is a place where no one is turned away from the door hungry.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TURNER. Upon the old Turner homestead that stands on the "Green road." in the town of Glastonbury, and which has been in the possession of the family for more than : century, the subject of this sketch, a prominent, suc- cessful and highly-esteemed farmer, was born Aug. 22, 1836, son of Chauncey and Hopestill ( Wrisley ) Turner, and grandson of William H. and Mercy (Wrisley ) Turner.

The grandfather was born in Boston, Mass., in 1764. of excellent parentage. It was common in those days to bind out children for a term of years to learn a trade or other vocation, and when Elizur Hubbard, a merchant of East Glastonbury, visiting in Boston, and, being attracted by the bright-eyed boy, offered to give him a practical business education in his East Glastonbury store, the proposition was not so uncommon as it would be to-day. The mother consented that her boy should make the long journey, but it must have been with serious misgivings, for she stipulated that Mr. Hubbard should occasion- ally bring him to Boston to visit her. But the part- ing between mother and son was final, perhaps partly in consequence of the troublous years which about that time swept over the country, resulting in the freedom of America. In later years Capt. Goodale, a cattle dealer of East Glastonbury, chanced to meet the mother at a Boston boarding-house, and in re- sponse to inquiries bore to her the interesting in- formation that her son had prospered, had married, and had a family of children, and that he was cap- tain of a coasting vessel plying between Hartford and New York. When Capt. Goodale related to Capt. Turner that he had met the latter's mother, Capt. Turner resolved to visit and bring her to the Glastonbury home which he had bought from Dr.

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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 148

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