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 167

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 167

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Dr. Coholan married Miss Grace Markley, daughter of Thomas Markley, of Newington, and

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they have six children: Frederick M., William T., Philip F., Harry J., Gerald M. and Grace Eliza- beth. Mary and George are deceased.

EBENEZER GOODRICH HAVENS (de- ceased) was throughout life identified with the in- terests of Wethersfield, and was one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of the town, where he was born Feb. 23, 1829, a son of William A. and Mary (Waterbury) Havens, who are mentioned more fully in the sketch of C. H. Havens, on another page of this volume.

Our subject received only a district-school ed- ucation, but he made the most of his opportunities through life, and was a well-informed man. He possessed considerable inventive genius, and could apply himself to almost anything. By trade he was a carpenter and joiner, and for several years fol- lowed that occupation, also engaging in farming in Wethersfield, near the boundary line of Rocky Hill, and making many improvements on his place, which continued to be his home until death. For over twenty years he had charge of the machinery in the ice plant of the Spring Brook Ice Co. While at his post of duty one foggy morning in February, 1899, orders were given for the horses to start while he was making some repairs in the machinery, and in consequence both his legs were cut off by the planing machine. He died at his home on the 18th of the month, and was laid to rest in the Wethersfield cemetery.

On Nov. 23. 1855, Mr. Havens married Miss Melvina M. Ruic, of Granby, by whom he had two children : Owen R., of Rocky Hill ; and Nellie MI., a trained nurse, of Brooklyn, N. Y. The mother of these dying, Mr. Havens was again married, in Rochester, N. Y., in April, 1866, his second union being with Miss Jennie Martin, who was born Nov. 26, 1848, a daughter of David A. and Rosana (Bradbury) Martin. Her father died in Arkansas. By the second marriage three chil- dren were born: Leila G., now the wife of Frank Sherwood : William Carr, who carries on the home farm for his mother; and Everett E., who died in infancy.

Socially Mr. Havens was a member of the Or- der of United American Mechanics, and religiously was a consistent member of the Rocky Hill Con- gregational Church. He affiliated with the Re- publican party, and gave his support to every meas- ure which he believed would prove of public bene- fit. He was quite prominent in his community, and commanded the confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact, in either business or social life. His estimable wife is still living on the home farm.

JOHN DEMPSEY BONNER ( deceased), who held for many years a leading place among the business men of Hartford, was born March 16, 1860, son of Charles and Margery Bonner, who removed to Hartford when the deceasedi was a

young man of seventeen years. His grandfather, Daniel Bonner, came from the North of Ireland, but the family was of Scottish descent. Daniel Bonner was one of four brothers who came to this country, one of whom was the father of the late Robert Bonner, editor of the New York Ledger.

Mr. Bonner was the last of his family, his par- ents and three sisters having passed away before him. The eldest sister died in the Province of Quebec, Canada, at the age of twenty-four years, and the others came to Hartford with the father, who engaged in the boot and shoe business. Mary, who died in 1897, became the first wife of O. D. Burdick ; and Madge, who died in Boston, in 1898, married Charles Wightman. Our subject's wife, formerly Miss Violet Marsh, of Plainfield, N. J., survives him with four children : Charles, Ethel, Carrie and Violet.

Mr. Bonner received only a public-school edu- cation in boyhood, but his keen observation of men and affairs, and reading of the best literature, gave him a wide range of information. As a good citi- zen he was interested in the issues of the day, and throughout his life affiliated with the Republican party, although any political honors which came to him were unsought. He took an active share in municipal questions, and was appointed a member of the fire board in 1897, his term not having ex- pired at his death. As a member of the Bonner & Preston Co., organized in 1888, he demonstrated his ability as a business man, but he was best known in the State through his connection with military and fraternal affairs. Almost from boyhood he was interested in military maters, and when about twenty years old he enlisted in the Light Guard, known as Company H. Ist Regiment. He was promoted to the rank of corporal Aug. 25, 1884, and was discharged at the expiration of his term of service. Dec. 14. 1885. About this time efforts were being made to form a section of a machine- gun battery, and young Bonner was one of those actively interested in its institution. He refused to accept an office on its organization, and enlisted as a private July 1, 1886. Owing to business cares he resigned two years later. His love for mili- tary affairs was too strong, however, and in 1889 he joined the Ist Company, Governor's Foot Guards, as a private, remaining a member of the company for five years, and taking part in several of the trips of the command. On July 30, 1894. he was elected first lieutenant, in command of the first section of the machine-gun battery. He was a strict disciplinarian, and the section was brought up to a high standard of excellence in military tactics under his command. He resigned in 1898, owing to ill health. Mr. Bonner remained with the Foot Guards until after their famous trip to Atlanta, and the following year he was discharged, owing to his connection with the battery. He was, however, elected a member of the Veteran Corps of the Foot Guards soon after his discharge from the active company.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Our subject was well and popularly known in Masonic circles, and was a member of St. John's Lodge, Pythagoras Chapter, R. A. M., and H. B. Webb Council. R. & S. M. From early life he was actively interested in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and became closely connected with the af- fairs of Hartford Lodge, of which he was past grand. He also held the office of past high priest of Median Encampment. During the existence of the uniformed degree in Hartford he was captain of Canton Capitol City, Patriarchs Militant. He was also an earnest worker in the ranks of the Knights of Pythias, being a member of Washing- ton Lodge.

Rev. Dr. Stone paid a tender and touching trib- ute to the memory of Mr. Bonner. Speaking of his life and services in Hartford with the sincerest ap- proval, said Dr. Stone: "He came of sturdy stock which had in it moral fibre and strength. A dash of the sea and the clear air of the highlands was in his blood. He came to Hartford at the age of seventeen years. The boy with his quiet manner soon inade friends and was trusted. He always honored the trusts reposed in him. In the long battle with disease no murmur escaped his lips. It was a cross to give up life at his age, but the burden was assumed with Christian faith and cour- age. His religious life was of the manliest type, and the influence which he diffused in the business and social circles in which his life was passed will long be felt. In the family relationship his personality was of the strongest and most attractive character. His home life was one of great happi- ness and felicity." Dr. Stone concluded the eulogy with lines from Sarah K. Bolton, in the poem en- titled "The Tide's In."

The boats lay stranded on the beach Tangled with seaweed, dark and green ; A desolate and dreary scene Far as the eye could reach ; The tide was out.

How changed the view when day was done, The boats rode gaily on the deep, Their white sails nodding as in sleep, Kissed by the setting sun; The tide was in.

Thus many a life in want or woe Lies stranded on a barren shore ;, But God is God forevermore. Take courage, for we know The tide comes in.

And lifted from the rocks and shoals We sail upon a sunlit sea : Night opens on eternity ; Sweet rest for weary souls. The tide is in.

CHARLES A. RAPELYE, an enterprising and successful druggist of Hartford, was born March 21, 1849, in New Britain, Hartford county, and is descended from one of the oldest families of this country, his ancestors having settled on Long Island at a very early period.

The origin of the family has often been erron- eously attributed to France or Holland, but it is certain that the name was derived from the town of Rapallo, Italy, whence our subject's ancestors emigrated to France in the fifteenth century. The first member of the family of whom we have any detailed account is Gaspard Colet de Rapella, a nephew of the celebrated Admiral Coligni. Gas- pard Colet was born in Chatillon, France, in 1505, and became an officer in the French army. He was a stanch Protestant, and in 1648 was forced to flee to Holland, where he settled. He married the daughter of Victor Antoine Jansen, of Ant- werp, and had three children : Gaspard Coligni, Abraham Colet and Breckje.

Andrew Rapelye, our subject's father, was born in Williamsburg, Long Island, and is now a highly esteemed resident of New Britain, where he was engaged in the furniture business for some years. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1849. He married Antoinette Hart, a native of New Britain, and two of their five children re- side there. Charles A. is one of the eldest of the family; William H. is connected with the Adams Express Co., at Springfield, Mass .; George, a resi- dent of New Britain, is a plumber and dealer in stoves ; Frederick W. is in the employ of the Adams Express Co., at Meriden, Conn .; Nellie married W. A. Niven, of New Britain.

Charles A. Rapelve was educated in the schools of his native town, and entered upon his business career as clerk in a store at Winsted, Conn., where he remained a year and a half. In July. 1866, at the age of seventeen, he went to Hartford, and for fifteen years clerked in the drug store of S. G. Moses & Co. In May. 1881. he formed a part- nership with Stephen Goodrich, junior member of the firm, under the name of Goodrich & Rapelye, and this continued until April 1, 1886, when it was dissolved at the request of Mr. Rapelye, as he de- sired to engage in business independently. He es- tablished himself in the old Catlin building, corner of Main street and Asylum avenue, and there re- mained until April 1, 1897, when the building Was removed, and he located at the Park Drug Store, No. 376 Asylum avenue, corner of High street. His business prospered at this point to such a de- gree that in June, 1898, he opened another store, in the Hills block. No. 853 Main street, and both stores are successful under his able management.

In 1885 Mr. Rapelye was married, in North- ampton, Mass., to Miss Lizzie L. Taylor, daughter of Isaac N. Taylor, and they reside in a pleasant home at No. 107 Washington avenue, Hartford. They have three sons: Harry Andrew, Lyle New- ton and Charles A., Jr., Mr. Rapelve is a thirty- second degree Mason, and a member of Lafayette Lodge. No. 100, A. F. & A. M .; Wolcott Council, R. & S. M .: Washington Commandery, No. I. K. T .: and Sphinx Temple, Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Hartford Business Men's As -. sociation, and a leading worker in the Hartford,

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the Connecticut and the American Pharmaceutical Associations. He has been president of both the city and State associations, and is now secretary of the latter, and secretary of the Commercial sec- tion of the American Association. He was ap- pointed a commissioner of the State Board of Pharmacy by Gov. Lounsbury in 1884, and by Gov. Bulkeley in 1887, and served as president of the board for two years.

WILLIAM ROCKWELL SCOVILLE. This venerable and highly-respected citizen of the town of South Windsor is now, at the age of eighty- five years, living in peaceful retirement. As prominent manufacturer and farmer, he has fully shared in the activities and achievements of the world, and richly won the rest which he now en- joys. For twenty years he was the proprietor and manager of a large paper mill, and for many years he has conducted one of the finest farming prop- erties on the Connecticut river.

Mr. Scoville was born in Lewis county, N. Y., Jan. 25, 1815, son of Reuben and Anna (Rock- well) Scoville. He was born and reared on a farm, early in life acquiring those habits of industry and application which are so essential to success, and received a good common-school education, which was supplemented by a course of instruction in a seminary. Of his education he made practical ap- plication, and for six years taught school during the winter months.

In 1839 Mr. Scoville came to South Windsor, Hartford county, to the farm which he now owns and occupies. It was then the property of his uncle, Alexander Rockwell, and with him our sub- ject lived until the uncle died, when Mr. Scoville took charge of the store, and has since managed it. He now owns eighty-five acres of land, most of which is valuable tobacco ground, lying on the banks of the Connecticut river. Throughout life he has been an active and successful farmer, giving large attention to tobacco growing. For about twenty years Mr. Scoville was proprietor of the Pleasant Valley paper-mills, at Pleasant Valley, and during that time was an active and successful man- ufacturer of paper.

In politics Mr. Scoville is a Republican, for- merly a Whig, and his first Presidential vote was cast for John Quincy Adams. He is a man of gen- erous impulses, and has ever been liberal in his contributions to all worthy causes.

JUDGE WILLIAM FRANKLIN HENNEY, a leading and popular attorney at law, Hartford, who is acceptably filling the office of city attorney, is a native of Connecticut, born Nov. 2, 1852, in Enfield, Hartford county, of Scottish ancestry.

John Henney, father of the Judge, was a na- tive of Paisley, Scotland, whence he came to this country, settling in Connecticut. For a time he was superintendent of the stockinet factory in the town of Enfield, thence removing, in 1865, to Hart-

ford, where he was superintendent of the Light & Power Co. He married Mene Barclay, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and died in 1885. Mr. Henney died June 20, 1896; both were much re- spected by all who knew them.

The subject proper of this review received a liberal education in the schools of Enfield and Hart- ford, graduating in 1870 from the high school of the latter city. In 1874 he was graduated from Princeton College, then studied law in the office of the late Hon. Henry C. Robinson, and was adn .. tted to the Bar at Hartford in May, 1876. In the fol- lowing year he served as councilman of the city ; from 1877 to 1883 was clerk of the police court of Hartford, and from 1883 to 1889 was judge of that court, declining to serve longer. He was then ap- pointed city attorney, holding the office till 1891, and was reappointed in 1895, his ability and natural acumen, together with his legal knowledge and experience, eminently qualifying him for the po- sition.

Socially Judge Henney is a member of St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M., of which he has been master ; is a Knight Templar ; a member of the Royal Ar- canum; and of the Scottish Clans.

FRED L. BISHOP. As one of the founders of a new line of manufacture, the subject of this sketch is one of the rising young business men of Hartford. He is treasurer of the Hartford Fay- ence Co., which started in business in 1894, and is meeting with merited success.

Mr. Bishop is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Hartford county. His grand- father, Benjamin Bishop, was born in West Hart- ford, where his ancestors had lived for generations. He was a large and prosperous farmer, spending his entire life in agricultural pursuits, attaining prominence and influence, and reaching the age of eighty-nine years. Of his four children, two- Mrs. Mary A. Griswold and Mrs. Ellen J. Sedg- wick-are still living.

Seth W. Bishop, the father of our subject, was born in West Hartford, was brought up on a farm, educated in the common schools, and learned the machinist's trade. He was one of the "forty- niners" who went to California in the early days in search of gold, "rounding the Horn," and being several months on the voyage. He remained in California ten years, and then returning to Hart- ford engaged in the tobacco business, which he followed some twelve years. Mr. Bishop then as- sisted in the formation of the Pratt & Whitney Manufacturing Co. It began in a very modest way, but is now one of the largest machine fac- tories in the State of Connecticut, equipped with all the latest and most improved machinery, is cap- italized at $3,000,000, and employs over 1,200 men. Mr. Bishop remained with this company over fifty years, up to a short time before his death, seeing it grow from its small beginning to its present enormous proportions, taking an active part and in-

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terest in its affairs and in the management of the same, and acting continuously as a director. He retired in 1894, and died in 1895, at the age of seventy-four. He was also interested financially in a number of other concerns, and took great in- terest in the business affairs generally of the city. of Hartford, where he was highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. He married Anna Hart, who was born in Collinsville, Conn., and to them were born three children, of whom our sub- ject is the only survivor. The wife and mother died at the age of forty-three. The parents of our subject attended the Park Church.

Frederick L. Bishop was born in Hartford June 16, 1869. He spent the early years of his life at home, and was educated in the common and high schools. For five years he engaged in the drug business, and then, in 1894, organized the Hart- ford Fayence Co., together with Clarence Whit- ney, who is the president, our subject holding the offices of secretary and treasurer. This company manufacture a special glazed mantel in all fancy colors. They have an increasing business, employ- ing twenty men, and sending their products to all parts of the country, and under the able manage- ment of Mr. Bishop the establishment is regarded as one of the forthcoming prosperous concerns of the city. It is a stock company, and its directors are among the most prominent men of Hartford.

Mr. Bishop married, in 1891, Florence North, who was born in Hartford, daughter of A. W. North, of the firm of Hudson & North, coal deal- ers, her father being among the largest coal deal- ers and oldest merchants in the city. She has one brother, Charles. To Mr. and Mrs. Bishop have been born two children, Gertrude N. and Benja- min S.

In politics Mr. Bishop is a Republican, but he has refused all offices. He was formerly a mem- ber of the Knights of Honor and Royal Arcanum, but is not now a member of any secret society, pre- ferring the comforts of his own fireside and the companionship of his wife and family. In their neatly appointed home good cheer abounds, and the hospitalities of a generous home are freely dis- pensed to a large circle of friends.

MICHAEL A. BAILEY, M. D., one of the successful and prominent young physicians of Hart- ford, has been in practice in that city during the past eight years, and during that time has built up an enviable practice in partnership with his brother, Dr. George C. Bailey.

Dr. Bailey was born at Scitico, town of En- field, Hartford county, July 16, 1859, son of Peter Bailey, and one of a family of eight children. The father was a native of County Cork, Ireland, and in 1848 migrated with his family to America, lo- cating at Enfield. He was for many years employed at the powder manufactory at Hazardville, and died in 1886. Six of his children are now residents of Hartford-the two sons, who are physicians, and

four daughters, three of whom are teachers in the public schools.

Michael A. Bailey spent his boyhood days at Scitico, and besides attending the schools of that town was a student at Wilbraham ( Mass.) Acad- emy. He learned the machinist's trade at Holyoke, Mass., and for ten years followed his trade at En- field. His tastes, however, leaned strongly toward a professional career, and after studying medicine for a time he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Md., from which he graduated. He was for a year house physician in the City Hospital of Baltimore, and since 1892 he has practiced at Hartford. He is a member of the City, County and State Medical Societies, and fra- ternally is an active member of the Elks.

GEORGE C. BAILEY, M. D., with whom our sub- ject is associated in practice, was born at Scitico April 16, 1864. He attended the academy at Wil- braham, Mass., and soon after his graduation from that institution began the study of medicine in New York City, graduating from the medical col- lege in April, 1886. The following month he be- gan practice at Hartford, which he has continued uninterruptedly ever since. He is actively identified with the medical societies of the city, county and State, and is a member of the Knights of Colum- bus and the Elks. He is chairman of the board of education of Brown school, and it was under his direction that the annex to the school was erected. The two brothers stand high both socially and pro- fessionally, and are among the influential members of the medical fraternity of Hartford.

RALPH RISLEY (deceased) was long one of the best-known and most respected citizens of that part of the town of East Hartford known as Hock- anum, where he was born Aug. 24, 1820, the eld- est of the eight children born to Ralph and Ann (Winslow) Risley.

Ralph Risley, the father, was born on the home- stead where Adolph Renthe now resides, in Hock- anum, near the Glastonbury line, and a distinctive type was. he of the native-born New Englander. When a young man he peddled wooden clocks from door to door, doing a profitable trade, but the lat- ter years of his life were devoted to market garden- ing. He married Ann Winslow, who was born Sept. 15, 1798, and was a daughter of Pardner Winslow, who was largely instrumental in causing the erection of the Methodist church in Hockanum, contributing very liberally toward its construction. Of the seven other children besides Ralph, our subject, born to Ralph and Ann (Winslow) Ris- ley, Charles W., born Sept. 4, 1822, was a farmer, served in the war of the Rebellion, and died in Berlin in 1897; Luke A., born June 16, 1826, sailed four years on a whaling vessel out of New Bed- ford, Mass., and died Oct. 21, 1853; Lawrence V. H., born July 28, 1832, died July 9, 1834; Law- rence V. H. (2), born Jan. 2, 1836, married Sarah

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Dunnels, for many years hauled stone between Hartford and Portland, and was later a painter and paperhanger until his death, in 1899; Ann, born Aug. 9, 1838, died April 6, 1855 ; Amanda, born Aug. 5, 1840, is the widow of Frank Wright, and resides at Bristol; and Elisha, born Jan. II, 1843, is general superintendent of agencies at Hart- ford for the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Co.

The father of this family was in politics a Dem- ocrat. He was an active member of the old State Guard, and took great interest in "training days." As a Methodist he was devout and ardent, and as a business man he exhibited great executive abil- ity. He was about six feet tall, ordinarily spare, and a hard worker when on his farm. He was one of the substantial men of his day, being the wealthiest, except Deacon Horace Williams, be- tween his home and Hartford. He was anything but a meddler, but was sociable and hospitable. He and Deacon Horace Williams were the pioneer market gardeners of East Hartford, disposing of their products at Hartford. Mr. Risley exercised a great influence for good, and was a man any community would fell proud to claim. He and his wife rest side by side at Hockanum.

Ralph Risley, the subject of this sketch, re- ceived a limited education in the Hockanum dis- trict school, worked for some time on the home farm, and then went to New York, where he was employed for some years as clerk in a shoe store owned by his cousin, Benjamin Risley. He then returned to the home place, and engaged in farm- ing on that part of the homestead now owned by Charles Yauch, remaining there until 1854, when he removed to the place now occupied by Cassius E. Risley, his grandson, where he passed the re- mainder of his days.

Ralph Risley was married May 31, 1841, his wife being a native of the city of New York, born Dec. 25. 1824, and she bore him four children : Edward F., born Jan. 15. 1845, is married, and is now one of the most skilled workmen in the em- ploy of Olds & Whipple, of Hartford, having been with them ten years; Elmer was born Sept. 28, 1851; Henry, born Aug. 15, 1853, died June II, 1854; and Fannie A., born Jan. 6, 1861, died March 5, 1869. Ralph Risley was a Democrat in poli- tics. and for many years held the office of justice of the peace, which he continued to fill until old age exempted him. He and his wife celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary May 31, 1891, and Jan. 13, 1893, she was called to her final rest. Mr. Risley expired Feb. 19, 1899, beloved and honored by all, leaving to his family a comfortable competence, and the richer inheritance of a spot- less name.

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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 167

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