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 151

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 151

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Mrs. Ellsworth is a lady of unusual mental ability and culture, and previous to her marriage taught school successfully in South Windsor and East Windsor. Her education was secured in the Connecticut Literary Institute, at Suffield, and the Normal School at New Britain, her active intel- lect enabling her to make good use of her oppor- tunities. She belongs to a well-known family, and was born in South Windsor, Dec. 17, 1843, daugh- ter of William and Maronet ( Allen) Sadd. This worthy couple had seven children, of whom five lived to adult age: Caroline E., who married John A. Martin, and died Dec. 28, 1891, in East Hart- ford, leaving four daughters; Henry W., of Wap-

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ping. Conn. : Franklin A., who served in the Civil war in Company G, 25th Conn. V. I., and died Feb. 6, 1883: Catherine D., who married John B. Noble, of East Windsor ; and Cordelia M., Mrs. Ellsworth. The parents both died at Wapping, the mother in 1873. and the father in 1881.

PATRICK MURPHY, a well known resident of Windsor Locks, is a man whose sound, conserva- tive judgment is held in high esteem among his fellow citizens, who have frequently chosen him to local offices of trust and responsibility. For more than forty years he has been connected with the Seymour Paper Co., at Windsor Locks, and, with characteristic prudence and foresight, he has accu- mulated a comfortable competence, enabling him to retire while he is yet young enough to enjoy the fruits of his labors.

Mr. Murphy was born July 15, 1832, in County Kilkenny, Ireland, where his ancestors resided for generations past. Michael Murphy, his grandfa- ther, was a farmer in County Kilkenny, and Martin Murphy, the father of our subject, passed his entire life at the same farm. Of the four children of Mar- tin Murphy and his wife, Mary Mackey, Patrick was the only one who came to America.

During his boyhood Mr. Murphy assisted in the work of the homestead, his education being ob- tained in a private school in the neighborhood. At the age of twenty-one he started for the New World. hoping for a better chance in life than his native country promised, and after a tedious voy- age of seven weeks and three days in the sailing- vessel, "The Gazetteer," he landed in New York City. He came immediately to Hartford and for four months was employed on a farm in that vicin- ity, but he then located at Windsor Locks, taking a position in the Seymour Paper Mill. As he had no knowledge of the business, he began "at the foot of the ladder," but his ability and fidelity to his em- ployers' interests were soon recognized, and he was promoted from time to time, his connection with the company being severed only on their suspension in August, 1898.

Mr. Murphy was married in Windsor Locks to Miss Johanna McGrath, a native of County Kil- kenny, Ireland, and they have four children : Julia, wife of Mr. ('Neil, of Holyoke, Mass. : James, who resides at Holyoke: Agnes, who is at home, and Mary, a successful teacher in Holyoke. Mr. Mur- phy and his estimable wife are leading members of St. Mary's Catholic Church, of Windsor Locks, and politically he is a stanch Democrat, having been duly naturalized as a citizen since coming to Wind- sor Locks. At different times he has served as as- sessor, and for three terms, 1887, '88 and '89, he was selectnan of his town.

A. W. PLUMB, now a prosperous business man conen ting a meat market at the corner of Park and Broad streets, Windsor, started in life with nothing but his own indomitable energy, and his

accumulation of this world's goods is attributable to his industrious habits, good judgment and a de- termination to succeed.

Mr. Plumb was born in Otis, Mass., in May, 1850, a son of William and Sarah J. (Cotton ) Plumb. His paternal great-grandfather came to this country from England. Both grandfathers were sea captains, and sailed from Middletown, Conn. The father of our subject was a child of eight years when his father died, and being the seventh in order of birth in a large family of chil- dren, who were left in limited circumstances, he was early thrown upon his own resources. In Bloom- field, Conn., he learned the carriage-maker's trade, which he followed throughout his active business life, or until failing health compelled his retirement, and was in business for himself most of the time. He was a short man, rather heavy-set. In politics he was a stanch Republican, in religious faith a Methodist, and a regular attendant at church, and took a very active part in its work. He died at East Hartford at the age of sixty-six years, and his wife passed away five months later, at the age of sixty-two, the remains of both being interred at Winsted. She was born at Cold Spring, Mass., and was a daughter of Lester Cotton. The great-grand- father of William Plumb on the maternal side was Benjamin Allyn, a hero of the French and Indian war, who later raised a company for the Revolu- tionary war. His powder-horn, now in the poss- ession of Edwin Plumb, brother of our subject, bcars the date 1736, and is appropriately carved, having the plans of the forts from Albany to Lake George at that time, all of which are quite compre- hensive. Our subject is the youngest in a family of three children, the others being Edwin L., a res- ident of Windsor : and Frederick N., a cigar maker of Winsted.

During his boyhood and youth A. W. Plumb ac- companied his parents on their various removals. and attended school in Colebrook River, Pleasant Valley and Harwinton, Conn., completing his edu- cation in Bloomfield Academy. At the age of fif- teen he commenced learning the carpenter's trade at Bloomfield, but the last year of his apprenticeship was served at New Britain, with Everett Dudley. After following same for some years he learned the cigar maker's trade with his brother Edwin, and at one time conducted a small shop in Windsor, where he made cigars. Later he worked for Parsons & Terry. in the butcher business, for eight years, and when they sold out the customers of the shop ex- pressed the wish that Mr. Plumb would engage in the business on his own account. Always courteous and honest, he had made many friends, and when he started in business in a modest way they gave him their encouragement and patronage. His means were limited, but he was well known and had the confidence of many of the best citizens of Windsor, and it was not long before he built up a good and profitable trade, which he still enjoys. He is to-day one of the most popular meat dealers of the place.

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Mr. Plumb married Miss May Ella Howard, a native of Rhode Island, by whom he has two daugh- ters, Edith and Jessie. He is a stanch Republican, but takes no active part in politics aside from voting. At one time he affiliated with the Order of United American Mechanics, but he has found little time to devote to anything outside of his business inter- ests. His wife is a member of the Episcopal Church, which he attends, and to which he gives his support. In business and social circles he stands deservedly high, and has a host of friends in and around Windsor.

GEORGE WILBERFORCE RYAN, engineer of Gordon Brothers' mills, and a well-known and prominent citizen of Hazardville, was born Feb. 25, 1862, in London, England, a son of James and Emma (Packman) Ryan, the former a native of Islington, London, and the latter of Boughton, Eng- land. Charles Ryan was the paternal grandfather of our subject. The maternal grandfather, Admond Packman, was a soldier in the English army during the Spanish war, was wounded, and received a pension from the British government.

James Ryan, the father of our subject. emi- grated with his family to America in 1872. landing on Oct. 23 of that year, and locating in Hazardville, town of Enfield, Conn., where he secured employ- ment as a powder-maker for the Hazard Powder Co. He remained continuously in their service for twenty years, removing in 1892 to Springfield, Mass., where he has since resided, and where he is engaged in the shoe business. His children were: Kate, Mrs. James D. Logan ; George W .: Annie M., Mrs. Elmer Osborn; Amy S., Mrs. William Alcorn ; Elsie L., Mrs. Henry Hawkins: Lillian, Mrs. Lewis Dewey ; Charles J. : and Flora E., Mrs. Merritt Rogers, who died Aug. 10, 1899.

George W. Ryan was reared in Hazardville from the age of ten years, and received a good public- school education. At the age of sixteen he went to work on a farm in the town of East Windsor, owned by John Bissell, where he was employed four years, going thence to New London, where he secured a position as shipping clerk for the "Pe- quot Preserving Co.," continuing thus during the summer. While there he shipped as second steward on board the yacht "Dauntless," owned by C. H. Colt, of Hartford, and went on a memorable voyage across the Atlantic ocean and along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Leaving New York Dec.

13, 1883, they made their first stop at the Island of Fayal, one of the Azores, on Christmas morning. It was rather different from the New England Christmas, warm sunshine instead of snow, and an abundance of ripe fruit, oranges, bananas, etc. It was there occurred the most exciting adventure of the trip. During a severe gale, which lasted for twenty-four hours, the "Dauntless" was driven from her mooring onto a reef of rocks, where she was very badly stove in, and this delayed them some time, while divers went down to make such repairs

as were necessary for her to proceed to St. Michael's, a distance of 240 miles, to go into dry dock for substantial repairs. After leaving St. Michael's they went to Gibraltar, thence to Tangiers, on the coast of Africa, to Malaga, and back to Gibraltar, after which they coasted along the African shore, stop- ping at Oran and Algiers. They also visited the Island of Sardinia, and thence cruised to France- stopping at Marseilles, Toulon, Cannes, Nice, Ville Franche, Monaco, Mentone-and along the Italian coast-stopping at Genoa and Leghorn-returning to Nice, to the regattas which took place between the English and American yachts. After the re- gatta they returned to Marseilles, where on account of illness Mr. Ryan received his discharge, March 30, 1884. He came home on a tourist ticket, stop- ping at Lyons, Paris, Havre, Southampton, London, and Liverpool, and thence took passage for New York, arriving in Hazardville May 29. While in England he visited relatives, and the places and friends of his early boyhood. After these months of roving Hazardville proved too quiet, so in July, of the same year, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked as waiter in the "St. Nicholas Hotel" until early winter, when he returned home and went to work for Gordon Brothers as foreman. He remained continuously in that position until 1890, since when he has been engineer for the firm.

On March 6, 1886, Mr. Ryan was married to Grace J., daughter of James and Mary ( Marrow ) Beech, of Hazardville, Conn., formerly of Eng- land. This marriage has been blessed with three children : Maude, Bessie and George W., Jr. Mr. Ryan is now assistant engineer of the Hazardville Fire Department. Politically he is a Republican.

GEORGE ALBERT ELLIS, first selectman of the town of East Windsor, is an enterprising and successful agriculturist, and his homestead near Warehouse Point gives evidence of his skill as a manager. For many years he was engaged in busi- ness in Boston as a dealer in tobacco and cigars, and he is now interested in the culture of tobacco in connection with general farming.

Mr. Ellis was born Aug. 8, 1847, in the town of East Windsor, and is descended from good New England stock, his ancestors having settled in Mas- sachusetts . many years ago. James M. Ellis, his father, was a native of Long Meadow, Mass., born April 3. 1817, and came to this county about 1830. For a number of years he was express agent on the stage line from Hartford to Warehouse Point, but his last years were spent in farming in East Wind- sor, his death occurring there Sept. 5, 1853. He married Miss Elizabeth Bancroft, who was born April 18, 1816, daughter of John Bancroft, of East Windsor, and who survived him many years, pass- ing away Aug. 7, 1898. This worthy couple had nine children, as follows: James M., deceased ; Maria, wife of O. L. Gillett, of Boston ; Marcia A., widow of T. W. Pascoe ; Frances M., deceased ; Ro- celia C., wife of William Atkinson, of Boston ;

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George .A., our subject ; Effie, widow of Charles R. Pascoe : and Isabella S. and Flora, both deceased.

At the time of our subject's birth his parents re- sided upon a farm adjoining his present homestead, and his early years were spent in that locality. When twelve years old he went to Boston and served an apprenticeship to the cigar maker's trade, and he soon afterward engaged in a retail cigar and to- bacco business in Boston. Later he became inter- ested in the wholesale tobacco business, continuing until 1884. when he returned to the town of East Windsor and purchased the farm where he now re- sides. It is located one and a half miles south of Warehouse Point, on "Town Street," a road lead- ing to Hartford. The place contains forty acres of good land, and in addition to general farming Mr. Ellis raises tobacco and runs a steam cider- mill, which he built during the first year of his res- idence there. He is prominent in local affairs, being an active worker in the Democratic organization, and for fifteen years he has served on the board of selectmen, having been elected each year since 1885. His family is much esteemed socially, and his wife is a devout member of the Catholic Church.

On Dec. 19, 1869, Mr. Ellis married Miss Char- lotte M. Sweetser, a native of Wakefield, Mass., and twelve children have blessed the union: Effie A., wife of Harry W. Williams, now resides on Prince Edward Island ; George died in infancy ; James M., George H. and Charlotte E. are at home ; Albert R. died in infancy ; Benjamin is deceased : Grace I. and Gertrude H. are at home : Stephen is deceased ; and Herman S. and Irene M. are at home.

MICHAEL GEARY, a veteran of the Civil war, is a highly-esteemed resident of the town of East Windsor, where he has been engaged in agri- cultural pursuits for a number of years. He is industrious and thrifty, and as a good citizen he has always taken an active part in local affairs, serving at one time as a member of the board of selectmen.

Mr. Geary was born July 16, 1836, at Wick- ford. R. 1., son of Patrick and Bridget Geary. When he was a small boy his parents removed to Massachusetts, and in 1847 they located in East Windsor, Hartford Co .. Conn .. where he grew to manhood. He remained with his father until he reached the age of twenty-two, when he settled upon his present farm, and engaged in general agriculture and the raising of tobacco. His place comprises about fifty-five acres of good land, and under his able management it has become one of the best of its size in the town. In 1862 Mr. Geary left his home to culist in the Union army, becoming a pri- vate in Company A. 22nd Conn. V. I., which was mustered into service at Hartford. The regiment was sent South by way of Washington, and spent the following winter at Miner's Hill. Va., while later they were sent to Williamsburg and West Point. Va., Mr. Geary spending nearly eleven months in active service. Politically he is a strong Democrat, and was elected on that ticket as select-

man of East Windsor, his colleagues being S. D. Rockwell and Henry Sloane. In religious faith he is a Catholic. For years he has been an active mem- ber of J. H. Converse Post, No. 67, G. A. R., at Windsor Locks.

In 1857 Mr. Geary married Miss Ellen Carroll, whose efficient help has done much to secure his prosperity. Of their ten children only three are now living : William A., a resident of Brooklyn, N. Y .; John, who is at home; and Francis P., a policeman 111 Hartford.

THOMAS CORNELIUS AUSTIN, the well- known nurseryman and florist of Suffield, Hartford county, and one of the oldest and most respected citizens of that town, was born there May 23, 1818, a descendant of one of Connecticut's oldest Colonial families, his genealogy being as follows :

Anthony Austin, a native of Hampshire. Eng- land, came to America with his father, Richard Taylor Austin, his mother and his brother Richard, and settled first in Charlestown, Mass., where the father died in his fortieth year, leaving his widow with two children. Of these, Anthony received an excellent education, and after attaining man's estate married. In 1666 he removed with his bride to Raleigli (where in 1669 he was recorded as a free- man), and in 1674 came to Suffield, Conn., where he became a lieutenant in the Colonial militia, in which he was later promoted to a captaincy. In 1696 he was appointed the first school master of the town, and filled the office eleven years. In 1677 he was appointed the first clerk of the town, and served in that capacity twenty-seven years. To the marriage of Anthony Austin were born three sons in Raleigh and one son and three daughters in Suffield, and there the death of his wife took place in 1698: he passed away in 1708, in the seventy-second year of his age. The descendants of Anthony Austin are scattered throughout the New England and Western States, and one, Stephen F. Austin, became famous as the founder of the State of Texas and of the city of Austin, its pres- ent capital. His death took place in 1836, one year after the Lone Star State had declared its independ- ence from Mexico. Anthony, Jr., and Richard, sons of the Anthony first mentioned, held land grants in Suffield, and were designated as "pro- prietors."

Thomas Austin, grandfather of Thomas C. Austin, was born on the old homestead in Suffield, and was a son of Nathaniel Austin. He married Hannah Hale, and by her became the father of seven children: Nathaniel, a hero of the Revolu- tionary war: Moses; Aaron: Joel; Thomas, father of our subject : Phebe : and Lucy. Thomas Austin owned a large tract of land in the southeastern part of Suffield, also took part in the war for American independence, serving directly under George Wash- ington. His daughter Lucy, who was a highly edu- cated lady, lived to the great age of ninety-nine vears.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Thomas Austin, father of Thomas C. Austin, our subject, was born on the Austin homestead in Suffield, and when a young man started his business life as a peddler of Yankee notions, traveling through the States of Connecticut and New York. He finally settled down to farming on his native homestead, and the dwelling he erected thereon, over a hundred years ago, is now occupied by the subject of this biography. He also engaged to some extent in store keeping, but agriculture was his chief occupation. To his marriage with Par- melia Loomis, a native of Westfield, Mass., eleven children were born, in the following order : Alfred ; Mary, who became the wife of Cicero Smith; Ed- ward, who died when a young man; Aaron, also deceased ; Harriet, who was married to John Murphy, and with him removed in 1833 to Chi- cago, Ill., where he opened the first hotel in the city, and where their son, Hiram, was the first white child born: Parmelia, who was married to Thaddeus Nickols, both now deceased ; Jane, widow of William Holmes, and a resident of Westfield, Mass. : Anson ; Louise, who married S. M. Reed, both now deceased ; Thomas Cornelius, our subject ; and Abigail, widow of Henry Jones, a resident of Springfield, Mass. Thomas Austin and wife were both active members of the Baptist Church. Both expired on the home farm, highly respected by the entire community, and their remains were interred il: the Suffield cemetery.

Thomas C. Austin received a sound education in the public schools and the Connecticut Literary In- stitute, Suffield, and after his father's death filially cared for his mother until she was called from earth. He began the nursery business on a rather small scale, but now owns the largest establishment in that line in Hartford county, on which he has expended $5.000 in improvements, and, under the firm name of T. C. Austin & Sons, the products are shipped to all parts of New England. In 1845 Mr. Austin married Harriet Hathaway, a daughter of Rufus Hathaway, and adopted daughter of Sedwick Trumbull, and this union has been blessed with nine children, of whom, Clarissa is the wife of Henry Cowles, of Boston Neck. Isabella died young. Charles was born July 10, 1852, and is now super- intendent of the floral department of the nursery ; in 1884 he married Louise Schleicher, and has two children, Otto B. and Morris E. ; in politics he is a Republican, and in religion a Congregationalist. Edgar, Arthur H. and Thomas C., Jr., are associated with their father in farming the home place, and in the cultivation of tobacco. William is interested in the cultivation of the home farm. Cora Belle, widow of Fred Smith, has had three children, Ray- mond and Hazel, and one who died in childhood. Burton married a Mrs. Briggs. Mrs. Harriet Austin departed this life in 1898. She was a de- voted wife and mother, was a sincere member of the Congregational Church, and for fifty-three years her husband's faithful helpmeet, whose loss will never cease to be deplored. Mr. Austin has been

a consistent member of the Baptist Church for over sixty years, and in politics was first a Democrat, but on the formation of the Republican party united with its ranks. He is a gentleman of strong con- victions, and not at all backward in expressing them, and his course through life affords a bright example to the rising generation of what persever- ance and well-directed effort can accomplish, as he is emphatically a self-made man, in the business sense of the expression, and one who has honorably won the high esteem in which he is held by all classes of the community in which he lives.

JOSEPH WARREN JOHNSON, a well-known and talented attorney of Enfield, and one of that town's most prominent public officials, is of the ninth generation from John Johnson, who founded the family in America. It is somewhat remark- able that this extended New England ancestry has ever been prominent in public affairs.

John Johnson migrated to New England from Boston, or vicinity, in the County of Lincoln, Eng- land, with Gov. Winthrop, bringing his wife and family : he settled in Roxbury, Mass., and in 1630 was chosen constable of that town. He was a man of distinction, and was held in high esteem in the Colony of Massachusetts : was a representative to the General Court in 1634-35-36-37-38-41-42-46- 47-48-49; became a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company at its first organiza- tion in Boston, and for many years was surveyor of arms and ammunition in the Colony ; and was al- most constantly employed in public affairs. He died Sept. 30, 1659.

Isaac Johnson, son of above, came to Rox- bury with his parents, was made a freeman March 4. 1635, and was married to Elizabeth Porter, Jan. 20, 1637. He became captain of an artillery com- pany in 1667, was representative in 1671, and was killed by the Indians at the head of his company in the great Narragansett fight, Dec. 19, 1675.

Nathaniel Johnson, youngest son of Isaac and Elizabeth ( Porter) Johnson, was born May 1, 1647, and married Mary Smith April 29, 1667. He came with his family to Woodstock, Conn., with the first company of settlers in that town, in 1686. He was active in the affairs of the new settlement, and died in 1697. John, his eldest son, was born April 29, 1668; his wife was named Margaret. He served as deacon in the church in 1721, and for a long time afterward, and was prominent in matters of church and town. Isaac Johnson, his son, born Dec. 23, 1697, was frequently selectman, and served on important committees in town and church affairs. John John- son,his son, married Elizabeth Falshaw,of Killingly, and settled there. He was a farmer and blacksmith, and did a term of garrison duty at Fort Griswold during the Revolution. He died Sept. 27, 1787. Aholiab Johnson, youngest son of John, born March 18, 1762, married Hannah Bacon, of Middletown, Sept. 22, 1785. She died at Stafford, Sept. 15, 1796, and April 19, 1798, he married Dolly Con-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

verse, of Stafford. He died July 22, 1829. Aholiab Johnson, son of Aholiab and Dolly (Converse) Johnson, was born April 28, 1799, at Stafford, Conn. He removed to Somers in 1830, and to En- field in 1840. He served as judge of probate six- teen years, town clerk ten years, representative to the legislature three years, and died March 3, 1893.

Joseph Warren Johnson, son of the last named, and the subject of this review, was born in Somers, Conn .. Dec. 2. 1838, and was eighteen months old when he was brought by his parents to Enfield, Conn. There he received an academic education. He taught school five terms in various districts in his vicinity, began the study of law in the office of Welsh & Shipman, of Hartford, and was admitted to the Bar in March, 1864, since when he has been in the active practice of his profession, with office at Windsor Locks. He has been twice married, his first wife being Julia Eugenia, daughter of John and Frances ( Griffing) Bowditch, of Shelter Island. N. Y., who bore him two children, Louise Bowditch and Warren Bowditch, the latter a grad- uate of Yale College, and now a student of Yale Law School. For his second wife our subject mar- ried Amelia E., daughter of Charles Lewis and Lucy Ann ( Merriam) Perkins, of Litchfield, Con- nect cut.

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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 151

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