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 156

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 156

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ing well assured of his probity, elected him assessor. Fraternally Mr. Norton is a member of Phoenix Lodge, No. 52, I. O. O. F., and of Comstock E.1- campment, No. 29, I. O. O. F., of New Britain ; of Pequot Council, No. 24, Sr. O. U. A. M., of Berlin; and of Mattabessett Tribe, I. O. R. M.

On Sept. 11, 1878, Mr. Norton married Miss Ellen Mary Woods, of New Britain, who was born in Cherryfield, Maine, Aug. 1, 1859. Her mother, whose maiden name was Lucinda Burgess, died in August, 1895, and is buried at New Britain, where her father, Charles Hiram Woods, still resides. Mrs. Norton is a member of the Baptist Church of New Britain, but attends the Congregational Church at Kensington. Their marriage has been blessed with three children: (1) George Edward, born Sept. 20, 1879, was educated at the Kensing- ton public schools, the New Britain high school, and Huntsinger's Business College, in Hartford. He is clerk at the Berlin station of the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad. (2) Lillian Ab- bey, born Sept. 6, 1880, attended the schools in Kensington, and later the Model School at New Britain ; at present she is employed as a milliner at the establishment of G. Fox & Co., in Hartford. (3) William Charles, born Aug. 26, 1888, is at- tending school in Berlin.

MICHAEL HOYE. It is said that biography vields to no other subject in point of interest and profit, and it is especially interesting to note the progress that has been made along various lines by those of foreign birth who have sought homes in America-the readiness with which they adapt themselves to the different methods and customs of America, recognize the advantages offered, and utilize the opportunities which the new world af- fords. In Michael Hove, of West Hartford, we find a worthy representative of this class.

Mr. Hove was born in County Longford, Ire- land, in 1837, a son of Peter and Rose (Flynn) Hoye, natives of County Leitrim and County Longford, respectively. Of their ten children, seven came to the United States: Anne, who lives in the West; Michael, our subject; Patrick, a resi- dent of Newington, Conn .; John, who died in the Civil war; Peter, who is employed in Goodwin's pottery, at Hartford; Maria, who is living in the West ; and James, a carpenter of Hartford. The father died in New Britain, Connecticut.

Our subject was reared and educated in his native land, and followed farming in the old coun- try until nineteen years of age, when he took pas- sage on the "City of Mobile," bound for America. After a six-weeks voyage he landed in New York, May 3, 1856. For two years he worked on a farm near Peekskill, Westchester Co., N. Y., and then removed to North Salem, that State, where he re- sided until coming to Newington, Conn., in 1862. In March, 1863, he located upon his present farm. in West Hartford, Hartford county, where he has since made his home. Soon after coming here he

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commenced work on the West Hartford roads un- der Superintendent Corbin, and later succeeded that gentleman as superintendent, having now been connected with the road work of the town for over thirty years. Under his supervision the roads have been macadamized, and have been kept in first- class order.

At Harleni, N. Y., Mr. Hoye was married, in 1862, to Miss Mary Simmarl, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, who died in 1891. To them were born two sons: (1) William Henry is married, and has three children, Margaret, James S. and William. (2) John M. married Mary Nolan. Our subject is a member of the Catholic Church of New Britain, and is highly respected and es- teemed.

EDWIN GRAYSON BARBER, a leading dairyman and representative citizen of West Hart- ford, was born in that town Oct. II, 1859, and be- long's to one of the old families of the county, his grandfather, Grayson Barber, having been a resi- dent of Bloomfield, where he was engaged in farm- ing and the nursery business. He was three times married, his first wife being a Pettibone, and his second a Francis.

George Barber, father of our subject, was born, reared and educated in Bloomfield, and was past thirty years of age when he moved across the boundary line into West Hartford. Throughout life he followed the occupation of farming. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Bloomfield, and served as trustee of the same. In politics he was a Democrat, and on his party ticket was elected selectman of West Hart- ford, which position he filled in a most creditable and acceptable manner. He first married Miss Jennie K. Tefft, who died Aug. 2, 1872, leaving three children: George Franklin and Edwin Grayson, both of whom are mentioned more fully below: and Mary Rosell, wife of Charles Soule. For his second wife Mr. Barber married Esther Nichols, but had no children by that union.

Upon the home farm Edwin G. Barber grew to manhood, and his education was obtained in the Center school, and at Fisher & Osgood's Business College. He was married in West Hartford Oct. 17. 1881, to Miss Alice Lavinia Shepard, a daugh- ter of Sheldon L. Shepard, and engaged in farm- ing there until 1884, when he went West, taking a position with the Western Union Telegraph Co., as line repairer. In 1891 he returned to West Hartford, where he has since resided, his time be- ing now devoted to the dairy business. He is a member of Charter Oak Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Hartford, and of Bloomfield Grange, and his wife belongs to the Congregational Church of Bloom- field. They have an extensive circle of friends and acquaintances in the community where they make their home, and by all they are held in high regard.

GEORGE F. BARBER, a brother of our subject, was

born in West Hartford May 25, 1857. He attend- ed the district and high schools of that town, and also the Bloomfield Academy, and took a course at Fisher & Osgood's Business College, in Hartford. On laying aside his text-books he took up the oc- cupation to which he had been reared, and has de- voted his life to farming. In Bloomfield he mar- ried Miss Emma J. Peck, a daughter of De Forest H. Peck, and to them have been born five children : Jennie Vernon, Charles Earle, Frank Elliott, George Thomas, and Pearl Frances.

JOSEPH DAVISON was born in Yorkshire, England, Jan. 30, 1835. Extreme poverty com- pelled him to begin work at the early age of seven years, when he entered a woolen mill, his daily toil commencing at six o'clock in the morning, and not being completed until eight in the evening, he re- ceiving for these fourteen hours of hard labor the miserable stipend of sixpence per day.

Mr. Davison continued to work in the York- shire mills until he was nineteen years old, when he determined to seek better fortune in a strange land. Accordingly, in 1854, he embarked upon a sailing vessel bound for America, and after a te- dious voyage of thirty-eight days landed at New York. From that city he proceeded to Rockville, Conn., where he began work once more in woolen mills, first at the Leeds, and later at the Rock and the American mills. At the second plant named he remained five months, and at the American es- tablishment until 1859, in which year he went to Windsor, where he entered the mills of Billings & Brown, with whom he remained for three years. The next year he spent at Windsor Locks, and the twelve months following in the mill of Charles Fox, at Stafford Springs. After leaving Mr. Fox he entered the employ of another woolen manu- facturer, by the name of Julian Converse, at Staf- ford Springs, remaining at these mills for about six years. In 1871 he returned to his native land, on a visit of three months. On his return to this country he located at Thomaston, Conn., where he was employed in the mills until 1873. The year 1874 he passed at Monson, Mass., and the four years following at Seymour, Conn., where he acted as engineer in the woolen mills until 1878. His next move was to Manchester, where he took a position in the Hilliard Woolen Mills. Some years later-in 1887-he removed to Somerville, and af- ter a few months of work there returned to Man- chester and again entered the employ of the Hil- liards. In 1888, having accumulated sufficient means to enable him to do so, he retired from labor.

Mr. Davison has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was united on Sept. 7, 1857, was Miss Mary Pierce, of Somers, Conn. She died in September, 1891, and on Feb. 1, 1893, he was mar- ried a second time. There was no issue by either marriage. Our subject's political affiliation is with the Democratic party. Mr. Davison's success af-

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fords a striking illustration of the results attainable by industry and thrift. His education has been obtained altogether outside of the school room, but his native grit and indomitable perseverance, to- gether with his intercourse with the world, have made him what he is. Compelled to labor while yet a mere child, he has never yielded to discour- agement, and has hewn out his own road to for- tune. He is possessed of a fair competence, and owns, among other properties, four fine, modern, double tenement houses on School street, in South Manchester.

L. SAUER, a well-known business man of Unionville, and the present efficient treasurer of the town of Farmington, was born in Bavaria, Germany, Nov. 18, 1857. His parents, Joseph and Barbara (Koeniger) Sauer, and also his grand- parents, Joseph and Kathrina Sauer, spent their entire lives in Bavaria. There our subject ac- quired a good education in his native tongue, and at the age of sixteen years commenced learning the butcher business in Wurzburg, serving an ap- prenticeship of a year and a half, and paying $60 for the privilege of learning.

Before he attained the age of eighteen Mr. Sauer came to the United States and located in New Haven, where he worked in a meat market for seven years. It was in 1882 that he came to Unionville, where he was in the employ of J. A. Merriman for six years, but for over eleven years he has engaged in the meat business on his own account with good success, having built up quite a profitable trade. His prosperity is due en- tirely to his industry, perseverance and well-direct- ed efforts, for he began life here empty-handed, a stranger in a strange land, and unfamiliar with the English language.

In New Haven, Mr. Sauer was united in mar- riage with Miss Sophia Rexroth, a native of Can- ton, Conn., and to them have been born three chil- dren : Leonora, Nettie Ray and Eva Elizabeth. In the fall of 1898 Mr. Sauer was elected treasurer of Farmington on the Democratic ticket, and is now acceptably filling that office. Socially he is a member of Evening Star Lodge, No. 101, F. & A. M., of Unionville; Phoenix Lodge, No. 52, I. O. O. F., of New Britain ; Agenda Lodge, No. 31, K. P .; and of the I. O. R. M.

EDGAR WESLEY MOTT, a well-known and highly-esteemed citizen of Kensington, was born at Haverstraw, N. Y., Sept. 12, 1851. His ancestors on his paternal side were French, while his moth- er's family was among the early Dutch settlers of Manhattan Island. The Motts also were among the earliest immigrants from the Old World. Both families are noted for their longevity.

Mr. Mott's paternal grandfather, Hemion Mott, attained the extraordinary age of one hundred and four years, and his grandmother (nee Acker) lived to be ninety-nine. The graves of both arc at

Paterson, N. J. Hemion Mott was an ardent pa- triot, and attested his devotion to his country by serving in the struggle of 1776 and in the war of 1812. He was a blacksmith by trade, prosperous and well-to-do, and at one time owned the greater part of what is now Mechanic street, in Paterson, to-day one of the principal business thoroughfares of that city.

William Mott, the father of Edgar W., was born in Rockland county, N. Y., Feb. 8, 1801. He mar- ried Susan Hemion, who was born Feb. 26, 1810, at Paterson, N. J. He, too, was a blacksmith, a man of quiet, unpretentious tastes and life, indus- trious, and possessed of some means. In 1836 he took up his residence in Haverstraw, N. Y., where he died April 9, 1854, continuing his work at the forge until called away by death. His widow sur- vived him for nearly forty years, passing away Jan. 2, 1894, at Haverstraw, within a stone's throw of her former home. To William Mott and his wife were born six sons and three daughters, all of whom are living except one, Benjamin Franklin, who died at Haverstraw May 6, 1837. All are married.

Edgar W. Mott's early educational advantages were of the most meagre sort, being confined to nine months' attendance at the public schools of Haverstraw. The reasons for this short school training can be soon told. When a mere child he was attacked by a disease of his left hip joint, which confined him at home for several years. His father died when he was but three years old, and the enlistment of his older brothers in the Union army, in 1861, obliged him to go to work to aid in the support of his mother. Filial devotion to his mother has been one of Mr. Mott's characteristics through life, and for many years he remained un- married in order that he might the better provide for her a home and a comfortable maintenance in her declining years. He began working before he' had reached the age of twelve, driving a coal wag- on for nine months, for fifty cents a day. The next three years he was employed as an errand boy in the Warren foundry, and then returned to the coal yard, where he was able to command a dollar a day. After twelve months so spent he se- cured (although then only between fifteen and six- teen years of age) a situation as engineer in the brickyards of E. & S. Snedeker, of Haverstraw. This position he held for ten months, when he re- turned to the foundry with the intention of learn- ing the trade of a machinist. After two years spent in this pursuit he went to Paterson, where for a year he was employed in the Grant Locomo- tive Works. From Paterson he went to Newark, N. J., where for eighteen months he worked as a machinist in the Hatts-Campbell Engine Works. At the end of that time he went back to Haver- straw, where for three seasons he was engineer in the brickyards, being first employed by John Brock- way, and afterward by Denoyelles & Virdin. His next removal was to Farmingdale, L. I., where

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for a year he ran the engine in the brickyard of A. T. Stewart & Co. From that place he went to Kingston, N. Y., where he was given supervision of all the drilling machinery in use by Warren & Hunter, contractors for excavating and construct- ing a tunnel on the line of the West Shore rail- road. This work completed, he once more re- turned to Haverstraw, to become an engineer in the brickyard of T. G. Peck & Co., for one season, after which he filled a similar position for eight months with the Quinnipiac Brick Co., of New Haven, Conn., and afterward for five years with P. Sharres, of the same place. On leaving this situation he engaged in the business of crushing stone and farming in copartnership with a Mr. Lewis, under the firm name of Mott & Lewis. The concern had a contract with the town of Hampden, but after a year sold out to Stiles & Bruce, Mr. Mott remaining in the employ of the new firm for a year and a half, and being given charge of the crushing machinery. His next loca- tion was at Berlin, in Hartford county, where for two and a half years he was engineer for the C. P. Merwin Brick Co. Going from Berlin to New Britain, he entered the P. & F. Corbin factory, as a brass turner. After nine months, however, he abandoned this position to engage in the confec- tionery and ice-cream business, opening a place in his own home, on the depot road, in Berlin. He also conducts a bicycle repair shop.

Mr. Mott has been essentially the architect and builder of his own success. Threatened with a grave physical malformation in childhood, de- prived of even ordinary educational advantages, obliged while yet very young to encounter all the trials and discouragements incident to hard work for scanty pay, his industry has never flagged, and his perseverance has never wearied. Through his own unaided efforts he has passed successfully through many struggles, but his indomitable cour- age, firm purpose and high moral sense have ena- bled him to conquer. He owns about five acres of land in Kensington, which he purchased from M. E. Jacobs in 1894. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. lodge in New Britain, and while in Haver- straw belonged to the Order of Good Templars. In politics he is a Republican, as were his father and grandfather. Both he and his wife attend the Congregational Church of Kensington. Mrs. Mott is a daughter of Charles and Caroline Forst, of Hoboken, N. J., both of whom are yet living (1899). Her first husband was engaged in the ice business in New York City, and the issue of her union with him was two children: Addie Mary, born in 1878, and James Elmer, born in 1883. Both live at home. Mr. and Mrs. Mott have no children.

LOUIS G. WILEY, senior member of the firm of L. G. Wiley & Son, a printing firm of high reputation in Hartford, has passed the greater part of his active life in that city.

Mr. Wiley comes of substantial New England stock, and his grandfather, Samuel Wiley, a na- tive of Massachusetts, was a representative of one of the early families of that State, the Wileys having settled in Lynn about 1636. Samuel Wiley was a shoemaker, and followed his trade to some extent, and being a musician of considerable ability also taught vocal music. In 1830, when forty years of age, he came to Hartford, and here followed the profession of music teacher. His wife died in 1866.

William H. Wiley, father of our subject, was born Sept. 12, 1821, in Wakefield, Mass., and came to Hartford when ten years of age. He re- ceived his education in the common schools. For a time he was employed as steward on steamers plying between Hartford and New York, but even- tually learned the trade of shoemaker, thus entering the principal business of his life. For a time he lived in South Reading, Mass., where he became well known, taking an active part in the affairs of the town ; he presented the public school there with a flag. However, his life was for the most part spent in Hartford, where for a number of years he was superintendent of the shoe department of the Deaf & Dumb Asylum. He also conducted a shoe store on North Main street, and later be- came a member of the firm of Wiley, Kellogg & Maynard for three years, they engaging in the manufacture of shoes on an extensive scale. Tak- ing up the insurance business, he became agent for several companies, and subsequently was en- gaged three years with the Jewell Belting Co., "on the road" as salesman, and one year with the J. B. Hoyt Belting Co., of New York. In 1875 he commenced the overgaiter business, in which he remained permanently, opening a small place on Asylum street, with two men. In time he found himself in command of a large trade, which ex- panded from year to year until, in 1889, it was necessary to remove the business to more commodi- ous quarters, and it was established in the build- ing still occupied by the William H. Wiley & Son Co., a structure 140x25 feet in dimensions, and three stories in height, originally erected by the Hartford Life Insurance Co. Here he continued in prosperous business until his death, and was re- garded as one of the most substantial business men in Hartford. Mr. Wiley was a prominent member of the Board of Trade, and was deeply interested in the welfare and progress of his adopted city, served on the Arsenal School committee, and in many ways displayed commendable public spirit. He was very patriotic, and was active in getting up Fourth of July celebrations, especially the floral procession which proved such a success. Though actively interested in politics, he never held office. He was a veteran fireman, having served many years in the volunteer department ; was a member of the Governor's Foot Guard, in which he held office a number of years; was for many years a member and officer of Charter Oak Lodge and

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Midian Encampment, I. O. O. F .; was identified with the Sons of the Revolution, his great-grand- father having been a member of the regiment commanded by Col. David Green, in the Revo- lutionary war; and was a member of the Historical Society. Mr. Wiley was at one time identified with the North Baptist Church, Hartford, and later with Dr. Stone's Church, in which he served as deacon, and in the organization of which he was one of the prime movers. He was assist- ant superintendent of the Sunday-school for many years. He and Dr. Stone were warm personal friends. A man of great ambition and commen- surate energy, thoroughly successful in business, alive to every interest for the good of his city, kind-hearted, liberal and charitable, Mr. Wiley made a place for himself among the best people of Hartford as a self-made man worthy the pros- perity which attended his efforts. His means as they increased were used judiciously for increased benefit to his fellowmen, as well as for additional personal comforts and luxuries, and his death, on Nov. 8, 1892, when he was seventy-two years of age, was widely and sincerely lamented. He was an indefatigable worker up to the time of his de- cease. He built three dwelling-houses in Hartford.

Mr. Wiley married, in 1845, Miss Miranda Griswold, a native of Simsbury, this county, only child of John and Eunice ( Eno) Griswold. Mrs. Eunice (Eno) Griswold was born in Simsbury, belonging to an old family of that town, and died at the age of eighty-four years. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wiley, six now living : Louis G., whose name introduces this sketch; Annie A., wife of Edward C. Frisbie, of the firm of Talcott, Frisbie & Co., wholesale druggists. Hartford; Edward N., of the firm of Webster, Wiley & Co., general insurance agents, Chicago, also manager of the branch factory of W. H. Wiley & Son Co. there: Lyman A., assistant treasurer of the Peo- ple's Gas Co., in Chicago, who was formerly teller of the Charter Oak Bank, Hartford, where he is also well known: J. Allen, now president of the William H. Wiley & Son Co., Hartford ; and Clar- ence H .. who is in the patent letter-file business, Hartford. The mother still survives. She is a member of the Asylum Avenue Baptist Church, Dr. Stone's church.

Louis G. Wiley was born Nov. 8. 1850. in Hart- ford, where he spent his early years, and received his education in the common schools and the old Arsenal School. After commencing work he was with his father for a time, but he learned the printer's trade, with an uncle, and followed same as journeyman for twelve years, later becoming foreman of an office in Worcester. Mass. He was also journeyman two years with Case & Lock- wood, the largest concern in that line in Hartford, before commencing business on his own account, in 1893. His establishment is located at No. 41 Trumbull street, and occupies an entire floor, com- pletely equipped for illustrating, designing. steel

plate, catalogue and mercantile printing, the firm at present being L. G. Wiley & Son. The office is finely fitted up. From eight to twelve men are employed, and the work is hrst-class in every par- ticular. Mr. Wiley has endeavored to make his way in the world by merit, but there is no doubt that his attractive personal qualities have also had their share in his success. His cordial, outspoken manner, honesty and uprightness, manifest in all his dealings with his fellow men, have won him the sincere good-will of all with whom he comes in contact. Socially he is well known, being a mem- ber of the O. U. A. M .; the A. O. U. W .; the Veteran Corps of Putnam Phalanx ; the Gentlemen's Driving Club; and the Veteran Association of the City Guard, of which he was an active member eight years, belonging to Company K. He is a well-known snare drummer, and was a drummer for the regiment for ten years. Mr. Wiley's po- litical support is given to the Republican party, but though interested in its success he has never been persuaded to accept office.

In 1872 Mr. Wiley married Miss Carrie Jack- son, and they have had four children : Louis, who is a dentist in Thimpsonville, Conn., married Nina Ranney, and has two children, Lucile and Muriel ; Robert E., a graduate of the Hartford Public High School, and a promising young business man, is in business with his father; Herbert is in the in- surance business, holding a position with the Scot- tish Alliance Co .; Mabel is the wife of Christo- pher Cuchney, an electrician. Mrs. Wiley is a na- tive of Hartford. Her father, Dr. Louis W. Jack- son, was a lieutenant in the Civil war, serving with the Ist Connecticut Artillery, took part in many engagements, among others the actions before Pe- tersburg, and made a fine record for bravery. He was a policeman for many years in Hartford, and was presented by the police of the city with a fine sword. Of his family only two are living : Carrie, Mrs. Wiley: and William, who is a resident of Glastonbury, Hartford county.

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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 156

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