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 153

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 153

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).

CHARLES EDWARD CHAPMAN is one of the careful and industrious farmers of Newington, one of that class who constitute the basis of its pros- perity. He has by his own efforts acquired his productive and well-kept acres, and gives to them that measure of care and attention which insures adequate financial returns.

Mr. Chapman was born in Glastonbury Dec. 16, 1836, son of John and Mary Ann (Covell) Chap- man. His father was born in Lancashire, England, in 1803, and died March 31, 1869. The mother of our subject was born Feb. 22, 1815, daughter of James and Polly ( Hills) Covell, who settled in Glastonbury and there died. John Chapman lived for two years at Pittsfield, Mass., and there he learned the baker's trade, which he carried on for many years at East Glastonbury.

Charles Edward Chapman remained in his native · town until he attained the age of twenty-four years, working for some considerable time in the woolen mills located there. In 1861 he went to New Lon- don, and for five years was employed in the woolen mills, learning the trade of finisher, and was quite proficient in his line of work. He remained in New London until 1866, when he came to Newington and purchased a farm of twenty acres, to which he has since added thirty acres. In October, 1891, he commenced the erection of a very large barn on his farm, which was completed the following year. Since purchasing his property in Newington Mr. Chapman has remodeled his home and made many improvements on the premises. Besides working the farm he keeps from twelve to fifteen head of cows, selling the milk to the trade.

Mr. Chapman was married May 20, 1860, to Miss Mary Hale, daughter of William and Laura (Wright) Hale, of Portland, Conn. Their mar- riage has been blessed with the following children : Elmer Ellsworth, born March 14, 1864, assisting his father at the home farm; Lizzie Mariette, bori May 14, 1865, who died Aug. 17, 1865; Henry Hart, born Sept. 5, 1867, a prosperous young farmer of Newington ; and Marian Mabelle, born Feb. 24, 1870, now living at New London. The children of our subject were educated in the South District school of Newington, formerly known as the "Bell" school, from the circumstance that it was the only school in the town that had a bell in its tower.

On Jan. 13, 1880, Mr. Wall was united in mar- riage with Miss Amanda Elizabeth Kullber, who was born in Sweden Nov. 10, 1857, and to them have been born the following children : Axel Hugo, born in Sweden Nov. 30, 1880, is at home; Albie, born April 2, 1883, died June 15, 1886, and was buried in Sweden: Gustaf Adolph, born in Novem- her, 1885. died in August, 1886, and was also buried Mr. Chapman and his son Elmer Ellsworth are in Sweden; Oscar Hjalmar, born in New Britain, both members of Our Brothers Council, No. 41,

1455

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Senior Order United American Mechanics, of New- ington ; they are also members of the Newington Grange. In politics both are Democrats. Mr. Chapman has been a hard-working man, and his industry has brought its reward. He is distinctly a self-made man, having by his own labor accumu- lated the means to purchase the land he now owns. In appearance his farm is a model of careful hus- bandry, and an index of the clear-cut, straightfor- ward character of its owner.

JAMES R. LACEY, the leading blacksmith of Southington, and one of its most enterprising and progressive citizens, was born in Bristol, this coun- ty, July 12, 1875, and is a son of John and Cather- ine (Fitzgerald) Lacey, natives of County Kerry, Ireland. In 1860 the father emigrated to America, and stopped for a time in Massachusetts, but for thirty-five years he has been a resident of Bristol, Conn., where he is numbered among the honored and highly respected citizens. Of his family eight reached years of maturity : Mary; Bridget, wife of Martin Mitchell; Catherine, deceased ; John ; Ellen, wife of William Tracey; James R .; Thomas; and Michael E.

The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed in his native place, and he acquired a good practical education in the high school of Bristol and Huntsinger's Business College, Hartford. For a time he was employed as bookkeeper in a plumbing establishment at Bristol, and subsequently served an apprenticeship of three years to the blacksmith's trade with W. Giddings & Son, of that place. In 1893 he opened a shop of his own, in Wallingford, where in partnership with his brother he engaged in business for a year and a half, at the end of that time coming to Southington; he is now doing a large and successful business as a general black- smith, receiving a liberal share of the public pat- ronage.

On Nov. 25, 1896, Mr. Lacey was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Callahan, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Callahan) Callahan, of Southington, and to this union have been born two children, Howard and Eileen. Religiously Mr. Lacey is a member of the Catholic Church, and he belongs to Isabelle Council, No. 15, Knights of Columbus. His political support is given to the men and measures of the Democratic party.

C. T. GEORGIA is a prominent merchant of Unionville, and an important factor in the business circles of that place. The possibilities that America offers her citizens he has utilized, and though he came to this country in limited circumstances, he has steadily and perseveringly worked his way up- ward, leaving the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few.

Mr. Georgia was born in Saxony, Germany, Oct. II, 1830, a son of C. T. Georgia, a traveling sales- man of that country. In the common schools of his native land he received his education, and he also

learned the wood-turner's trade, serving a three- years' apprenticeship. At the age of eighteen he crossed the broad Atlantic and landed in New York City, where he followed his trade for two years, turning canes. Later he spent a short time in Bristol, Conn., and in 1850 came to Unionville, where he worked in the cabinet shop of 'Squire Hitchcock for eight years. In 1858 he opened a saloon, which he conducted for six years, and at the end of that time turned his attention to general mercantile business on the west side of Farmington. During the year 1886 he erected his present brick block, containing two storerooms, and living rooms on the second floor, while the third is occupied by his furniture department. Mr. Georgia is now the oldest business man in Farmington, and it has been through his own well-directed and energetic efforts that he has succeeded in life. His store would do credit to a much larger place than Unionville, and he has built up a most excellent trade. Socially he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, in Unionville, and Putnam Phalanx, in Hartford.

In Hartford Mr. Georgia was married to Miss Emeline Gladding, a daughter of Hubbard and Maria ( Belden) Gladding. Her father was a sol- dier of the war of 1812. Her mother celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of her birth in December, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Georgia have three children : Charles C., Lily M. and Clara M. The son is now engaged in business with his father and is serving as postmaster of Unionville, which office our subject filled during President Cleveland's first administra- tion. Charles C. has also been selectman of Farm- ington for two years, and was a member of the State Legislature in 1895.

SIMON McCAREL, a prosperous farmer of West Suffield, Hartford county, and a most re- spected citizen, was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1849, the fifth in the family of six children born to James and Lydia ( Arthur) McCarel. Both par- ents died in Ireland. Of the remaining five chil- dren, Margaret and Eliza are still in the Emerald Isle : Sarah is the wife of John Adams, of Suffield ; Hugh lives in Thompsonville, Conn .; and James is a farmer of Suffield.

Simon McCarel lived with his parents until fif- teen years of age, and then hired out at farm labor until 1869, when he sailed from Londonderry for America, landing in New York. Thence he went to Philadelphia, where he passed a short time with friends, and then came to Suffield, Conn., where he secured employment at farm labor with Thomas Remington, at $15 per month. He continued thus engaged for three years, and in 1872 bought a small farm of eighteen acres in West Suffield, on which he lived for twenty-five years. In 1883 he and his brother James bought the Asa Harman farm, of sixty acres, of which Simon McCarel still cultivates thirty acres. On this traet he has erected a dwell- ing, barns, tobacco sheds, etc., at a cost of $2,500, and in 1898 moved his family into the new home.

1456

COMMEMORATIU'E BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

In 1873 Mr. McCarel married, in Suffield, Miss Margaret Colter, a sister of James Colter, of West Suffield, and this marriage has been blessed with six children, of whom Mary Lydia is the wife of Robert J. Hamilton, of Suffield; Lizzie Helen died in May, 1897; William James died in October, 1898; Sarah and Walter are at home. The loss of the son and daughter was a sad affliction to Mr. and Mrs. McCarel. Both had reached years of maturity and great promise, and their deaths occurring so closely together added to the poignancy of the grief of the parents.

The family are members of the Congregational Church, and in politics Mr. MeCarel is a Republi- can. He is a hard-working, thrifty and strictly honest man, is temperate in his habits, and has made himself a useful citizen in all respects. His sue- cess in life is the reward of his personal efforts, and the high respect in which he and his family are held is due to their individual merits.

CHARLES ANDREWS, one of the most re- spected residents of East Hartford Meadow, and the senior member of the firm of Andrews & Creedon, steam-fitters, etc., at No. 446 Asylum street, Hart- ford, was born in Hartford June 8, 1858, a son of Hugh and Charlotte (McLarren) Andrews, na- tives of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland. It will be remembered by many readers of current events of half a century ago that Walter McLarren, a naval commander in the service of the British Govern- ment, was awarded a gold medal in 1849, for his intrepidity in sailing around the world. This gen- tleman was a brother of Mrs. Hugh Andrews, inother of our subject.

Hugh Andrews, father of our subject, was a son of Charles Andrews, a well-to-do farmer in Ayrshire, who passed all his life there. Hugh An- drews came to the United States when less than twenty years of age, and located in Hartford, Conn. He made a tour through the West, and on his re- turn entered the employ of S. S. Chamberlin, wholesale grocer, with whom he remained for thirty years. His wife reached this country while still a young lady, and the two were united in marriage in: Hartford. She died in middle age-when about forty-five years old-and Hugh Andrews died in East Hartford Meadow in 1876, five years later, several years her senior : the remains of both were interred in the city where they had so long resided, leaving to mourn their deaths their only child, Charles, the subject of this sketch. The parents were devout members of the Presbyterian Church, and were among the very few Scottish residents of Hartford, where the memory of the father is still cherished as "Honest Hugh Andrews."

Charles Andrews was about eighteen years of age when he lost his father, since when he has made his way through the world unaided. He re- ceived his early education in the old "stone school" 111 Hartford, and later, when his father had removed to East Hartford Meadow and built a home at the

corner of Ash and Pleasant streets, he attended the school of this village, taught by a Mr. Chaffee, and has good reason to remember the school house, as his feet were frozen while he was attending to his studies therein.

Young Andrews began his business life with J. A. Ranney, the florist of East Hartford, with whom he remained three years. In 1876 he went to Rochester, N. Y., and for one year was employed in a machine screw factory. On his return to Hartford he apprenticed himself to the steam-fitting trade under Embler & Bos- worth, and is now carrying on the same business at the same location. His first important work as an apprentice was on the State Capitol, when his salary had been advanced to $5 per week; later he worked on the Orphan Asylum, then in the course of construction, subsequently entered the em- ploy of Pitkin Bros., as a journeyman, and worked for them six years ; he then became foreman for N. A. Bosworth (under whom he had learned his trade), and several years later started business for himself. In September, 1891, Mr. Andrews formed a partnership with John Creedon, in the steam- fitting business, and the firm of Andrews & Creedon is now recognized as the leading firm in its line in the city of Hartford.

On Oct. 29, 1883, Mr. Andrews married, at New London, Miss Olive Rebecca Douglas, a na- tive of that city, born Aug. 17, 1857, and a daugh- ter of Jonathan D. and Sarah (Smith) Douglas, the latter of whom is deceased; of the former, who still survives, mention will be made in detail at the close of this biographieal notice. Mrs. Andrews, the youngest of the nine children born to her par- ents, six of whom reached adult age, was reared in: New London, and is of the seventh generation of the Smith family that settled in Waterford, Conn. To Mr. and Mrs. Andrews have been born four children: Douglas H., April 14, 1887; Mae L., June 23, 1890; Charlotte S., May 17, 1892 ; and Edwin Giles, Dec. 26, 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews started housekeeping, immediately after their mar- riage. at the corner of Ash and Pleasant streets, East Hartford Meadow, and there lived until 1893, when Mr. Andrews erected his present handsome dwelling on Ash street. It may be said, also, that Mr. Andrews owns the home erected by his father when he first came to the village. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews are consistent members of the Baptist Church. In politics Mr. Andrews is a Republi- can. Fraternally he is a member of Orient Lodge, F. & A. M., of East Hartford. He is recognized everywhere as a straightforward, honest man, and as a thorough master of his trade, and he and his interesting family enjoy the unfeigned esteem of all who know them.

JONATHAN D. DOUGLAS, father of Mrs. Andrews, was born in Waterford, New London Co., Conn., April 2, 1818, and sixty-three years ago went to work at the forge. He was not reared a black- smith, but was naturally of a mechanical turn of

1457

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

mind. In 1836 he went to work in the Millstone quarries, and was at once placed in the shop, where he became an expert tool sharpener, remaining there two years. Some time afterward he went to Stonington and worked at the forge awhile, as preparations were then being made for building a number of steamers for the Stonington line. Up to 1843 sledges were made of iron, with a steel face welded on, and many attempts had been made 10 cast steel sledges, with as many failures. In that year Mr. Douglas undertook the task and made a success of it, making a cast steel sledge that stood the test, and this sledge is now used all over the world. However, he derived no benefit from his discovery or invention of the process, except a tem- porary renown, as it is reasonable to believe that ninety-nine of one hundred men who use this in- valuable implement to-day do not know his name.

During the war Mr. Douglas made locks for army carbines, since when he has passed his life in New London, conducting a blacksmith shop, and works personally at the forge. He wears spectacles when reading or doing fine work, but not at other times. Now over eighty-one years of age, he has 110 aches or pains, and it would be quite a task for any middle-aged or even young man to follow him through the routine of his daily work.

CHARLES H. SMITH (deceased) was for many years a leading citizen of New Britain, being prominently identified with the manufacturing in- terests of the place. His death was recognized as a loss to the community, and the following memoir will be read with more than usual interest.

Mr. Smith was born Jan. 6, 1849, at Tariff- ville, this county, of English ancestry. Charles Smith, his father, was a native of Worcestershire, England, born about 1811, and educated there. On coming to America he located first in Sims- bury, this county, and then in Philadelphia, but he finally settled in New Britain, where his remain- ing years were spent. Before coming to this coun- try he had been a designer for carpets and rugs, but after his arrival in New Britain he was con- nected with O. B. North, and later as a contractor with the Landers, Frary & Clark Co., in scale mak- ing. His last days were spent in retirement at his pleasant home, his death occurring in 1883. His wife, Harriet (Hyde), also a native of Eng- land, died in 1888. They had the following chil- dren : Anna Maria, wife of Frank Coleman ; Charles H., our subject : Harriet, wife of George Terry, of No. 47 Winthrop street, New Britain, an en- ploye of the Landers, Frary & Clark Co. ; and Helen, who married Frank Andrews, a bookkeeper in Meriden.

Charles H. Smith obtained his education in the public schools of New Britain, and to this practical foundation he added much through his constant and intelligent reading of the newspapers. He learned the scale maker's trade with his father, and later engaged in the business on his own ac-

count, as a contractor in the scale department. He was with one company twenty-eight years, his work as a contractor covering twenty years, and in that time managed his affairs so judiciously as to acquire a fine competence. In early life he was a Democrat, but later became a Republican, his- interest in public affairs being shown in many ways, and his characteristic energy enabling him to do much work outside of business lines. He did not believe in seeking office, but "the office sought him," and in 1882 and 1884 he was elected to the city council from the Fourth ward, was police com- missioner two years, and also served five terms as first selectman, having been first elected in October, 1893, and continuing in that office until his death. He was a regular attendant at the Episcopal Church at New Britain, his ancestors having been adherents of the Church of England, and he belonged to the Society of Pilgrim Fathers; the New England Order of Protection ; and the F. & A. M., ,Harmony Lodge, No. 20. Mr. Smith married Miss Carrie E. Welton, who with six children survived him: Charles E. is engaged in the insurance business in Hartford. Belle E. is the wife of Ralph J. Beach. Frank L. is a banker and broker of Spring- field, Mass. Grace A., Carrie J., and Howard Welton are at home.

Mrs. Carrie E. (Welton) Smith was much es- teemed among her associates for her fine mental and social gifts. Her father, the late Chauncey P. Welton, was a well-known business man of New Britain, and although he learned the blacksmith's trade in his early youth, he spent much of his time in mercantile business, and for many years was manager of the Sovereign Trading Co. He was born in Wolcott, Conn., and his wife, Jeanette (Cleveland), was a native of Harwinton, Conn. Both were accidentally killed on the railroad at Pratt's Station in 1882. Of their four children, the eldest, Dwight O., is employed in the shipping rooms of the P. & F. Corbin factory; Carrie E. (Mrs. Smith), now deceased, was second in the order of birth ; Ella M., who married Horace Bunt- ing, of New Britain, died in August, 1887; and Albert died in infancy.

NATHANIEL ROOT, late an honored and highly respected citizen of Newington, Hartford county, was born in the town of Coventry, Tolland Co., Conn., July 22, 1823.

Mr. Root was a worthy representative of an old and prominent family of this State, which was founded here by Thomas Root, who was born in England Jan. 16, 1605, and crossed the Atlantic in 1637, becoming one of the first settlers of Hart- ford. His son, Thomas Root (2), was born in Hartford in 1644, and Thomas Root (3), son of the latter, was born April 1I, 1667, in Northamp- ton, Mass., but in 1709 took up his residence in Coventry, Conn., where he served as the first town clerk and as deacon in the Congregational Church there. His son, Ebenezer Root, was born Nov.

1455

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

5. 1093, and Ebenezer Root (2), son of the latter, was born in the same place March 9, 1732. The next in direct descent, Nathaniel Root, grandfather of our subject, was born in Coventry March 25, 1757, and served with distinction as an officer in the Revolutionary war. When the news of the battle of Lexington reached him, in 1775, he imme- diately enlisted, as a private, but soon rose to the rank of captain in Gen. Washington's army. Among other engagements, he participated in the battles of Long Island, Trenton and Princeton. Nathaniel Root (2), father of our subject, was also born in Coventry, Feb. 1, 1785, and became a successful and prosperous farmer of Tolland county. where he owned and operated 200 acres of land. He married Almaria Page, only sister of Harlan Page. She was born Sept. 30, 1789, and died Feb. 12, 1881. The husband and father de- parted this life April 15, 1879, and the remains of both were interred in Coventry.

Nathaniel Root, our subject, was reared upon the home farm, and he received a good practical education, which enabled him to commence teaching school at the age of nineteen years-a profession which he successfully followed through the win- ter season for nine years. He remained on the old homestead until coming to Newington, and in 1861 started a sash and blind factory at Coventry, which he carried on with good success for about fifteen vears. He also built barns, and did other mechani- cal work, being very handy with tools. On com- ing to Newington, Hartford county, in 1886, he purchased eight acres of land, but before his death had practically retired from farming. devoting his attention principally to caring for his stock.

In 1847 Mr. Root married Miss Julia Ann Douglass, of Coventry, who was born April 5, 1824, and died March 13, 1891; she was laid to rest in Newington. To them were born two chil- dren: (1) Frank Douglass, born Aug. 4, 1850, graduated from Yale in 1872, was for many years interested in journalistic work, being con- nected with a New Haven newspaper for seven years, and later with the New York Times for sev- enteen years as one of the editorial staff, and is at present on the staff of the Independent. He mar- ried Miss Catherine Butler, of New Haven, and is now living in Brooklyn, N. Y. (2) Elizabeth Almaria, born Dec. 21, 1857, resides in Newing- ton. is librarian of the Public Library, and princi- pal of the grammar school.

Mr. Root was a highly-educated and well-read man, and also a good musician. He commenced to play on the bass viol at the age of sixteen years, and for a quarter of a century played the organ in church. In 1848 he and his wife united with the Congregational Church at Coventry, which the daughter also joined in 1873. On coming to New- ington they transferred their membership to the church here. Fraternally Mr. Root was a Master Mason, having been initiated into the mysteries of the fraternity at Rockville in 1865, and he was

also a member and treasurer of the Grange. He always took an active and prominent part in pub- lic attairs, and was honored with a number of omces of trust and responsibility. His first public position was that of constable, which he filled at about the age of twenty-five years; he was a.member of the school board fifteen or twenty years; was elected to the State Legislature by a handsome majority in 1857, 1864 and 1873; was made judge of pro- bate in 1874; served as justice of the peace fifteen or twenty years; and was selectman several times. He proved a most able and popular official, and his duties were always discharged in a most commenda- ble and satisfactory manner. Mr. Root died at Newington March 27, 1900.

SAMUEL LANGHORNE CLEMENS, uni- versally known by his pen-name of "Mark Twain," as one of the raciest and most original of Ameri- can humorists, was born Nov. 30, 1835, at Florida, Monroe Co., Missouri.

Mr. Clemens in boyhood attended the village school at Hannibal, Mo. At the age of thirteen he began to serve an apprenticeship at the printer's trade, and later worked at the trade in various cities in the East and West. Beginning with 1851, he figured for a time as a pilot of steamboats on the Mississippi river. In 1861 he became private secretary of his brother, who had been made secre- tary of the Territory of Nevada, and later he mined in that Territory. He became city editor of the Virginia City Enterprise in 1862, and in reporting legislative proceedings from Carson he signed his letters "Mark Twain." For a period in 1865 he was a reporter on the Morning Call, at San Francisco. Next he mined for a time, then again resumed newspaper work at San Francisco. In the following year (1866) he was for a time in the Hawaiian Islands, and on returning delivered hu- morous lectures in Nevada and California. Return- ing to the East, he published in New York, in 1867. among other sketches, "The Jumping Frog." In that year he visited the Mediterranean, Egypt and Palestine, and on his return published "The Innocents Abroad."

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 153

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