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 149
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Abner Mosley, and which is now owned by our sub- ject. But before he could put his plans into execu- tion he was drowned, June 25, 1810, while trying to board his vessel in the Connecticut river, near East Glastonbury. He married Mercy Wrisiey, born in East Glastonbury in 1771, who died March 26, 1830. To William H. and Mercy Turner were born nine children : (1) William H., who became a sailor, lived in Glastonbury, served in the war of 1812, and died in 1872, aged eighty-four years. He was twice married, and by his second wife, Bathsheba Brew- ster Wrisley, had five children. (2) James, who mar- ried Millie Galpin, a native of Berlin, and became a prominent manufacturer of woolen goods at Win- chester, N. H., where he died at a ripe old age. He was a prominent citizen, and represented his town in the State Legislature. He left five children, Mar- tha, William, Eunice, Aurelius ( who became very wealthy ), and Arlette. (4) Alanson, who married Emeline Galpin, sister of Millie Galpin (above), was in business for a time with his brother James at Winchester, N. H., then removed to Norwich, Mass., where he died, aged eighty-four years, soon after his return from a visit to his boyhood home. (5) Robert married Caroline Ellis, of Orange; Mass., and became a manufacturer. He was fa- tally burned in the great fire at Saginaw, Mich., in April, 1896. His son, Judge Henry Ellis Turner, lives at Lowville, N. Y., served in the Civil war, represented his town in the State Senate at Albany, and is a well-known orator and poet. (6) Sanford married Hannah Buttrick, of Pepperell, Mass., and became a merchant, manufacturer and traveling salesman for his brothers James and Alanson. He died in Oneida county, N. Y. (7) George married Mercy House. He was a salesman for a time in Henry Benton's store, at Glastonbury, was later en- gaged in the mercantile business at Bangor, Maine, and died in Arkansas. (8) Marcia, born in 1797, died Nov. 24, 1813. (9) Mary, born in 1799, died May 7, 1818.
Chauncey Turner, the father of our subject, was born at East Glastonbury, and followed farming all his life. In 1814 he married Hopestill Wrisley, a native of Marlboro, and to them were born seven children, as follows: Lydia, who married Alvin House, and died at Glastonbury in 1899, aged eighty-two years; Mary E., of Glastonbury ; Nor- man, of Glastonbury; Samuel, who married Sarah Frost, of New York, and has one child, Mary, now Mrs. Sumner Jackson, of Minneapolis, Minn .; Mercy, widow of Frederick Barber, who as a mem- ber of Company H, 16th Conn. V. I., was killed at the battle of Antietam; Charlotte, wife of Denison G. Markham, a retired merchant of Providence, K. I. ; and Benjamin F., subject of this sketch.
Benjamin F. Turner was born Aug. 22, 1836, in Glastonbury. In his youth he attended the com- mon schools and one year in a select school. He re- mained at home, engaged in farm work, until he was
twenty-one years of age, and then went to Naubuc, where he was employed at finishing work for a time in Curtis Bros. factory. Thence he moved to Mer- iden, where he accepted a position with the Britannia Co. Vi hile so employed he enlisted for nine months, Aug. 23, 1862, in Company G, 25th Conn. V. I., under the late Capt. Charles Talcott. The regiment was in service a year, participating in the fexas and Louisiana campaigns under Gen. Banks. For brave and meritorious conduct Mr. Turner was, greatly to his surprise, upon the recommendation of the Colonel, commissioned a second lieutenant. He served with the regiment throughout the entire campaign, and never missed a roll-call or day's serv- ice, and he escaped without a wound. After his discharge from the army at Hartford, Lieut. Turner went to Boston, and worked in an office there until the death of his father, in 1865, when he returned to the home farm. This he operated until 1866, when he engaged in the drug business at Providence, R. I. His health failing, he at the request of his mother returned to Glastonbury and re-occupied the homestead. His mother died in 1885, and in 1892 he purchased and moved to his present farm, which he has since occupied, at the same time oper- ating the old homestead. He carries on general farming and tobacco growing. Mr. Turner mar- ried, Dec. 30, 1880, Ida S. Smith, a native of Glas- tonbury, daughter of Alfred Smith, who moved to Glastonbury from Granby, Mass. The family of our subject and wife consists of two children : Benjamin Floyd, born in August, 1889, and Ruth Hopestill, born Dec. 24, 1891.
In politics our subject is a stanch Republican. He served his town as first selectman in 1880, and has since served on the board. He is also at pres- ent a member of the board of relief. He is a member of D. C. Rodman Post, G. A. R., East Hartford, and of the F. & A. M. lodge at Meriden. Himself and wife are members of the Congrega- tional Church. Both are highly esteemed through- out the community for their many most estimable qualities, and are among the leading and influential residents of the town ..
NORTON. The "Farmington Nortons," in Hartford county, trace their lineage in America from John Norton, who was one of the eighty-four proprietors of Farmington, which then included what are now known as Southington, New Britain, Berlin, Bristol, Burlington, Avon, Plainville, and parts of Wolcott, Harwinton and Bloomfield. An interesting account of the earlier ancestry in Eng- land, as well as of various members of the family in the line we trace, will be found in the biography of Marshall Parrish Norton, which appears on page 544 of this volume. The latter's descent from John is through John (2), Ebenezer, Ebenezer (2), Par- rish and Gad.
(I) John Norton, born about 1620-24, in Lon- don (probably), came to America with his wife
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Dorathy, in or before 1646, locating first in Bran- ford, Conn., where he was one of the earliest "planters." In 1659 he removed with his family to Farmington. he died Nov. 5, 1709. Dorathy, his hrst wife, died Jan. 24, 1052, at Branford. Elizabeth, his second, died Nov. 6, 1657, and he sub- sequently wedded Elizabeth Clark, of Saybrook, who died in 1702. Children by first marriage: Eliza- beth, who married John Plum, of Milford, in 1668; Hannah, who married Samuel North, of Farming- ton, in 1666; Dorathy ; and John, who died at Bran- ford in 1657. By second marriage: John, men- tioned below. By third marriage: Samuel, who died in Farmington in 1659; and Thomas, who mar- ried Hannah Kose June 7, 1700.
(II) John Norton (2), born at Branford, Oct. 14, 1657, married Ruth Moore, of Farmington, who was born Jan. 5, 1657, daughter of Deacon Isaac and Ruth (Standly ) Moore. He died April 25, 1725. Children, all born at Farmington : Ruth mar- ried Thomas Seymour, of Hartford, Feb. 25, 1700; Elizabeth married Samuel Catlin, of Hartford, June 5, 1723; Ellen married Samuel Catlin, of Hartford, 111 1703; Isaac married Elizabeth Galpin, of Strat- ford, in 1707; John married Anne Thompson May 6, 1708; Mary married (first) John Pantry, Jr., and { second) Solomon Boltwood; Sarah married Sam- uel Newell, of Farmington, Aug. 10, 1710; Hannah married John Pratt, of Hartford, in 1713; Dorcas married Joseph Bird, of Salisbury ; Thomas married Elizabeth Macon, of Stratford, in 1724, and in 1739 wedded Mrs. Rachael Pomeroy ; Ebenezer is next in the line of descent.
(III) Ebenezer Norton, born in 1699, at Farm- ington, was one of the early settlers of Southing- ton, where he died March 21, 1750. On July 7, 1726, he married Sarah Savage, of Middletown, who died March II, 1795, and they had eight chil- dren: Christian married Daniel Tuttle; Sarah mar- ried Samuel Hooker, of Berlin; Freelove; Delight married Timothy Upson, of Southington, March 25, 1755; Bethuel married Lois Hart, of Farmington ; Ebenezer is mentioned below; Isaac married Phoebe Lewis; Ashbel died while serving in the French war.
(IV) Ebenezer Norton (2), born in 1746, died at Southington Oct. 3, 1807. In 1773 he married Sybil Parrish, of Branford, who died Feb. 16, 1817. Children: Seth married (first) Lydia Gillette, of Southington, and later wedded Active Byington, of Wolcott; Christian married William Gilbert, of Southington ; Ezra married (first) Sylvia Cowles, of Southington, and later wedded Mrs. Harriet Smith, of Bristol; Polly married Barrett Hendrick, of Bristol ; Ruth was three times married, her first hus- band named Samuel Lowry, her second Lewis, her third Ferguson; Ebenezer died unmarried; Parrish is mentioned below; Betsey died March 18, 1873, unmarried ; Nancy married Jared Horton, of Wal- lingford ; Lot married a Mrs. Phinney, of Farming- ton ; Harmon married Maria Wightman, of South- ington.
(V) Parrish Norton, born in 1786, in Southing- ton, died Aug. 11, 1838. On Oct. 10, 1811, he mar- ried Betsey Rice, of Cheshire, who died Sept. 19, 1854. Children : Josiah died June 9, 1826, at the age of fourteen; Andrew married (first) Miranda Byington, of Wolcott, and later wedded Esther Spencer, of Plainville ; Gad is mentioned below ; Lu- cında married Lester Rodney Lee, of Bristol; Levi married Sarah Byington, of Wolcott; Hiram mar- ried Martha Barnes, of Southington.
(VI) Gad Norton, born in Southington Oct. 24, 1815, died May 4, 1898. On Oct. 23, 1839, he mar- ried Mary A. Wiard, daughter of Solomon and Olive (Comes) Wiard, of Wolcott. Children : Mar- shall Parrish, Alice J., Julius G. (who died in 1871), and Gilbert E. The last named inherits the old homestead.
(VII) Marshall Parrish Norton was born June 10, 1842, in Southington.
JARED GOODRICH was for many years prom- inently identified with the manufacturing and agri- cultural interests of Plainville, but for a number of years prior to his death laid aside all business cares and lived retired.
Mr. Goodrich was born in Glastonbury, this county, Oct. 20, 1810, and was a lineal descendant of William Goodrich, the founder of this branch of the family in America. The latter, a native of Eng- land, is supposed to have come to America about 1642, though the first entry on the Connecticut records relative to him is that of his marriage to Sarah Marvin, in 1648. He was not admitted as a freeman of Connecticut until May 15, 1656. He was deputy from Wethersfield to the General Court held in Hartford May 15, 1652, and was also one of the grand jury. Just after the close of King Philip's war, in 1676, he was called Ensign William Goodrich. He died that year, and his widow after- ward married Capt. William Curtis, of Stratford, Conn., where she died in 1702. From William Goodrich our subject traced his ancestry through the following: Ephraim and Sarah (Treat) Goodrich ; David and Sarah (Edwards) Goodrich ; and David and Prudence (Benton) Goodrich, who were his great-grandparents. All were residents of Glas- tonbury. His grandparents, Roswell and Rachel (Stevens) Goodrich, had a family of five children : Israel ; Anna, wife of David Talcott ; Pruda ; Joseph ; and Betsey. Israel Goodrich, the father of our subject, was born in Glastonbury July 27, 1784, and throughout life followed the occupation of farm- ing. Being an excellent violinist he was quite prominent in musical circles in his day, and taught a dancing school. He married Miss Harriet Miller, also a native of Glastonbury, and they reared a family of four children: Orson, who married Phebe Cone; Mary; Jared, our subject ; and John.
Jared Goodrich grew to manhood in Glaston- bury, where he received a rather limited education in the schools of his day. On starting out in life for himself he was employed in the clock shops of Bris-
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
tol for several years, and coming to Plainville in 1841 he embarked in the manufacture of clocks on his own account with William Hills, under the firm name of Hills & Goodrich. He continued in that business for several years, and then returned to Bris- tol. In 1849 he caught the "gold fever," and went to California by the l'anama route, remaining on the Pacific slope one year. In 1853 he again took up his residence in Plainville, where he founded what is now known as the Plainville Manufacturing Co , zmanufacturers of knit goods, and he was interested in that enterprise for over twenty years. After selling out he devoted his attention to raising to- bacco for several years, but during his latter years lived retired, having become one of the solid and substantial citizens of Plainville. His career affords an example to the young, in that he com- menced life for himself without capital, but having a determination to succeed he industriously applied himself until he accumulated a handsome com- petence.
On Nov. 10, 1839, Mr. Goodrich married Miss Sophronia Pierce, a daughter of Noble A. and Lydia (Gridley) Pierce, of Bristol, and to this union four children were born : Henrietta L .; John 1. : Edward P .; and Mary E., wife of George D. Clark. In political sentiment Mr. Goodrich was a Democrat. He was one of the oldest residents of the town, honored and respected by all, and by his genial, pleasant manner surrounded himself with a host of warm friends. He passed away March 20, 1900, his wife preceding him to the grave Aug. 12, 1897, and bothi rest in the Plainville cemetery.
EDDIE P. TERRY. a prominent and prosper- ous agriculturist, dealer in milk and ice, Enfield, is a native of that village, born April 3, 1855, a son of Lyman and Caroline Augusta ( Pease) Ter- ry.
Lyman Terry, his grandfather, a lifelong farmer in Enfield, married a Miss Pease, daughter of Walter and Rhoda ( Terry ) Pease, of Enfield.
Lyman Terry, father of our subject, was born March 12, 1824. in Enfield, Conn., in early life followed the trade of carpenter, made plows, and in his later days followed farming up to his death, in 1891. In 1857 he married Caroline Augusta Pease, who died in 1891, the mother of one child, our subject.
Eddie P. Terry received a liberal education in the public schools, and at the age of nineteen he learned the trade of paper maker, which he fol- lowed seven years, and then for seven years en- gaged in the wholesale and retail milk business in Enfield. He has also carried on farming on the homestead, and during the winter of 1898-99 he added the retail ice business.
FRANCIS REUBEN WARNER, farmer and mechanic, and now living retired in Forestville, is a native of Massachusetts, born Dec. 7, 1842, in Granville.
Reuben Warner, father of Francis R., was born
in Suffield, Conn., April 24, 1813, and died in Southwick, Mass., Nov. 19, 1854. By occupation he was a farmer, in politics a Democrat. On Dec. 9. 1838, he married Sally Goodwin, who was born Dec. 25, 1819, in Elizabethtown, N. Y., and died Sept. 15, 1809. The following children came of this union: (I) Maria L., born Nov. 29, 1839, was married Nov. 3, 1856, to Milo J. Holcomb, a farmer of Granby, Conn. (2) Curtis H., born July 6, 1841, died July 3, 1859. (3) Francis R. is our subject. (4) Joel D., born Oct. 15, 1845, died June 5, 1892. (5) Isaac A., born April 24, 1850, died Aug. 9, 1865. (6) Eliza A., born April 5, 1852, was married in 1874 to Albert Veazy, of Forestville.
Truman Warner, grandfather of Francis R., was born in Suffield, Conn., and was a lifelong agriculturist, as were his forefathers before him, for the most part. He married Abiah Middleton, a lady of Scottish descent, and nine children were born to them: Polly, Abiah, Betsey, David, Still- man, Reuben, Laura, Cynthia and Charity.
Francis R. Warner, the subject proper of this sketch, was five years of age when his parents re- moved from the place of his birth to Southwick, Mass., and there he received his education. At the age of eleven, on leaving school, he commenced working on the farm of Charles Barnes, in North Granby, Conn., whence after two years he moved to West Hartland, and for one year worked for Wells Moore. He then went to East Granby, and was in the employ of Joseph Viets about two years, from there going to Windsor and working one year for William Barnes, also one year for Lathrop Griswold; then returned to Mr. Barnes, and remained with him until his enlistment, Aug. 18, 1862, in Company A, 22d Conn. V. 1. On July 7, 1863, he was mustered out of the service, and returned home to the pursuits of peace, re-entering the employ of William Barnes, in Windsor. After one year there he leased a farm of Eliphalet Ladd, which he conducted three years ; thence went to New Britain and took charge of the town farm and roads, one year. We now find Mr. Warner in Thompsonville, engaged in the butchering business with his uncle. Samuel D. Holcomb, but at the end of a year he removed to Forestville, and went to work in the Welch & Spring . Co.'s clock factory, continuing there some three years, in various departments. He then re- turned to New Britain, and for a year conducted Henry Welch's farm; thence once more proceeded to Windsor, where he again leased the Ladd farm, for twelve years, growing tobacco thereon. 111
1885 we once more find him in Forestville, follow- ing the businesses of teaming and raising garden vegetables ; but at the end of a couple of years he gave that up and went to work in the "burner shop" of the Bristol Brass & Clock Co., there re- maining some eleven years, or until Deceniber, 1897. since when he has lived practically retired. On April 12, 1864. Mr. Warner was united in
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
marriage with Julia .A. Crane, who was born Aug. 2, 1840, in West Hartford., Conn., daughter of Warren Smith and Julia (Bull) Crane. A brief record of the children born to this union is as fol- lows: (1) Frederick A., born Oct. 4, 1865, is pro- prietor of tonsorial parlors in Forestville ; on May 4, 1899, he married Ida Sherman, of Somerville, Mass. (2) Lillian A., born Feb. 12, 1868, died Dec. 27, 1872. (3) Warren C., born Dec. 22, 1870, is a clerk in J. S. Deming & Co.'s store in Forest- ville. (4) Henry A., born Feb. 5, 1873, has been employed in William Reynolds' drug store, For- estville. (5) Frank L., born June 5, 1876, is a barber by occupation : he married Kate Collins, of Forestville. (6) Maude A., born Sept. 12, 1882, and (7) William B., born July 17, 1885, are both at home, the latter going to school.
In politics Mr. Warner is a Democrat, and is a member of the board of selectmen, to which he was elected in I898. Socially he is affiliated with Newton S. Manross Post, No. 57, G. A. R., at Forestville, in which he has served as quartermas- ter-sergeant.
ALBERT B. PIERCE, who was engaged in gen- eral farming and dairying in the town of Manches- ter, was born June 5. 1844, on a farm in the town of South Windsor, Hartford Co., Conn., and died June 25, 1899.
Mr. Pierce grew to manhood on the farm where lie was born, receiving his education in the com- mon schools, and engaging in agricultural pur- suits until his enlistment, on May 1, 1861, when a mere lad of sixteen, in response to Lincoln's first call for three-months men. He served his term as a member of Company B, First Conn. V. I., seeing his first active service at the battle of Manassas, in which he was slightly wounded. He returned to Hartford after receiving his discharge, and re- mained at home for some months, but as his parents, who had objected to his first enlistment, consented to a second. he became a member of Company L, Ist Conn. HI. A., Feb. 15, 1862, and joined his reg- iment in front of Yorktown. He served in the Fifteenth Army Corps, under Fitz-John Porter, Gen. McClellan commanding, and took part in the engagements at White Oak, Gaines Mills, Malvern Hill, Fair Oaks, Chickahominy Bridge, and in many skirmishes and lesser affairs, serving faithfully until his final discharge, Feb. 15. 1865, at Fort Fisher, N. C. Returning to his old home, he re- mained there for a few months, and then spent a year at Providence, R. I., thence going to Hart- ford, Conn., where he also remained for about a year, coming from that city to South Manchester. llere he was engaged for some time in the silk mills of Cheney Brothers, and after leaving their employ he went South, residing for nine years in Virginia and Ohio. In 1896 he again came to the town of Manchester, settling on a farm of thirty-six acres which he owned and cultivated. In addition to general farming he engaged in dairying to some
extent, and he made a success of both, prospering as a result of industry and thrifty management in his work. Mr. Pierce was a Republican in political sentiment.
In 1873 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Crenshaw, of Virginia, who passed away March 16, 1897.
PLINY BARNARD PARSONS, a prominent and enterprising farmer of Enfield, was born there Nov. 24, 1823, a son of Rufus and Rebecca (Nims) Parsons, natives of Enfield, Conn., and Conway, Mass., respectively.
Our subject is a descendant of Philip Parsons, who is mentioned elsewhere. The great-grandpar- ents of our subject were Nathaniel and Alice (Col- lins) Parsons, the great-grandmother being a daughter of Rev. Nathaniel Collins, the first resi- dent Congregational clergyman of . Enfield. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Shubael and Lucy ( Pease) Parsons.
Rufus Parsons, the father of our subject, was a general mechanic and contractor. His children were : Pliny, Rufus, Jeremiah, Rebecca (Mrs. Rodway Russell), Austin, Ralzemon, Horace, Abi- gail and Pliny B., all deceased except our subject.
Pliny Barnard Parsons was reared in Enfield, and has always lived within a mile of his present residence. He was educated in the common schools, and at the age of eighteen years became proprietor of a sawmill, which he operated for ten years. For forty-six years he has been a mover of buildings, and has also engaged extensively in farming and tobacco raising.
Mr. Parsons has been twice married, first time to Emily, daughter of Jeremiah B. and Emily (Pease) Allen, of Enfield. She bore him six chil- dren : Ellen (Mrs. Hiram Terry), Hattie (Mrs. Joseph Allen, deceased), Mervin (who died in March, 1898), Annie, Alice (Mrs. H. Stephen Bridge), and a daughter who died in infancy. For his second wife he married Mrs. Jennie (Hodge) Wilson, of Hadley, Mass. Mr. Parsons and his wife are members of the First Congregational Church of Enfield. He is a Republican in politics, and has served the town one term as selectman.
GEORGE P. CLARK. Among the able and en- ergetic business men whose enterprise has extended the fame of this section as a manufacturing center is the subject of this biography, a leading resident of Windsor Locks. In all parts of the civilized world the superiority of the articles stamped with his name is conceded, and the large variety of trucks for all purposes which are manufactured in his establishment has won popular favor in a marked degree. In simplicity and strength of con- struction they are all that could be wished, and the improved rubber wheels with which they are fitted make them especially desirable in offices, li- braries, banks and other places where noise is to be avoided. Mr. Clark also makes a specialty of
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ventilating and exhaust fans, now rapidly becom- ing a necessity, and an adaptation of the same idea has produced the most perfect fan now on the mar- ket for the use of dyers and others who need dry- ing facilities. His patent rubber rolls for dryers and wringing machines are no less popular, and he manufactures various sorts of machinery and outfittings for dyeing establishments, including cedar vats, dye compositions for cloth, warp dyeing and sizing machines, wringers for the hand or power, and with or without cloth folding attach- ment, in fact, a mere list of the articles sent out from his factories would extend the limits of this sketch unduly. Three attractive catalogues have been issued to the trade, furnishing an impressive view of the versatility of Mr. Clark, who is not only a shrewd and successful business man, but is the inventor of his own designs for machinery.
A survey of the life of the man whose mental activity forms the mainspring of this enterprise will be of lasting interest. He was born January 19, 1839, at Easthampton, Mass., where his father, Simeon P. Clark, was then a prosperous builder. He was left fatherless at the early age of four years, and on leaving school he found employment with a florist and market gardener at Easthampton. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Company A, 27th Mass. V. I., and for three years and one month he remained in active service, taking part in thirty- two engagements. Of thirty-six who went from his town he was the only one who served until peace was declared, and when mustered out he held the rank of sergeant, earned by gallant conduct. On his return to the North he went to Syracuse, N. Y'., to learn telegraphy, and six months later he came to this section to enter the woolen factory of Dwight, Skinner & Co., of Windsor Locks, the head of the firm being the captain of his company during the war. He remained with that company twenty years, succeeding John L. Chase as superin- tendent, and in the meanwhile perfected several patents, the first being a rubber roll for scouring wool. His next patent was on a rubber caster and the rubber wheels which are such a valuable feature of the trucks now manufactured by him, and for some years he was interested in placing this article on the market as a "side issue." In 1892 he turned his attention exclusively to his present business, his factory being built in the following year.
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