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 170

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 170

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EDWARD S. TRYON. Men of unusual force of character find in the material development of the respective localities in which they live an ample scope for energy. Among the prominent men who are so engaged at Hartford must be mentioned the subject of this sketch, who for many years has been actively identified, as contractor and builder, with the growth of the city. His ability has been in- hierited. His father, John E. Tryon, is one of the miost progressive farmers of Hartford county, and is a leading citizen of Glastonbury.

Our subject was born in South Glastonbury Sept. 17. 1863, and is a descendant of one of the early and prominent families of Hartford county. William Tryon, founder of .the family in Amer . ica, was born in England in 1645, and came to this country, where he was assigned a grant of public land in Wethersfield, in 1673. He married Saint Lattimer, of that town, and of their nine children Edward Sparks Tryon is a descendant of the second son. David Tryon. Edward Sparks Tryon attended the public schools during his boyhood years to the age of thirteen. Receiving private instructions for a year, he attended private school at Hadlyme, Conn., and later was for two years a student of East Green-

wich Academy, graduating in 1882. He then be- gan a three-years apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, with John C. Mead, of Hartford, receiving also from him instruction in architecture. Upon the completion of his apprenticeship he worked one year as a journeyman, and then became a member of the firm of West, Simms & Tryon, continuing thus five years. Withdrawing from the firm, Mr. Tryon in 1893 started in business individually, and has evér since conducted same most successfully. He has been engaged largely in the construction of res- idences, and among larger structures which he has erected is the five-story Bartlett building, on Asylum street. He has also erected a number of buildings for himself, and has prospered above the average, owing his success to his own efforts.

Mr. Tryon is thoroughly interested in public affairs. Recognizing that the foundation of govern- ment lies in the primaries, he has given to them not a little attention. In 1899, and again in 1900, he was elected to the council from the Fifth ward. He has served as a member of the standing commit- tee on Water Works, City Buildings, and also ex- tensively in special committee work. Mr. Tryon is an active Freemason, a member of Hartford Lodge, F. & A. M., and its past master, having held all its offices; he is also a member of Pytha- goras Chapter, Wolcott Council, Washington Com- mandery, and Sphinx Temple.

JONAS H. SILSBY, wholesale lumber dealer of Hartford, than whom no one in Connecticut and neighboring States is better or more favorably known, is a native of Vermont, born Nov. 23, 1834, in Lunenburg.

Harvey Silsby, his father, was also born in Ver- mont, a son of John Wendell Silsby, a farmer of prominence in his day, who died at the patriarchal age of ninety-one years ; by his wife, Susan ( Blood). who died in 1883, he had five children. Harvey Silsby was reared on a farm, and received a com- mon-school education, after which he drove a team from Vermont to Portland and Boston, and was also a blacksmith by trade. In 1850 he moved to St. Johnsbury, Vt., and after two years went to Newark, \'t., thence to West Burke, same State, where he passed the rest of his days, dying at the age of sev- enty-eight. He served throughout the war of the Rebellion, in the IIth Vt. V. I., and saw much hard service. In politics he was a' Republican, in relig- ious faith a devout member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. In December, 1833, he married Celia Bloss, who was born in Lunenburg. Vt., a daughter of Aaron and Acaha (Smith) Bloss, the former of whom was a farmer ; the latter, born at Charlestown, N. H., died at the age of eighty. To this union were born seven children, four of whom are vet living : Jonas H., our subject ; William H. : Mary E., wife of O. C. Spencer; and Annette. The mother died at the age of eighty-three years. All the sons except Jonas H. served in the Civil war.

Jonas H. Silsby received a liberal education at

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the common schools of his place of birth, and when twenty-one years old commenced in the lumber business in a small way. Having a mill in which he put in a circular saw, etc., his business increased until, in course of time, he had four mills and a store -two in Newark, one in Westmore, the other mill and the store at West Burke. In April, 1874, after losing his property through business reverses, he came to Hartford, and again started in a small way, his business, as a result of his ability and applica- tion, increasing until, in 1879, he added dealing in hay and straw, etc., potatoes and other produce, on commission. In 1886 he built the block ( where his office now is) on Allyn street, 73 feet deep, four stories high, and it goes without saying that his al- ready large business has since grown to mammoth proportions. He owns about a thousand acres of timber land, and buys a great deal of lumber in the Southern and Western States, also in Canada, in addition to which he purchases shingles in New Brunswick, shipping both lumber and shingles by the carload ; he has shipped as many as 500 carloads of lumber in a single year, besides shingles, potatoes, etc. In June, 1890, he sent out seventy-nine carloads of lumber, each containing 15,000 feet, and 175,000 shingles.

On Nov. 22, 1866, Mr. Silsby married Addie A. Packer, born at Newark, Vt., a daughter of Austin Packer, and granddaughter of Eliazur Packer, of Groton, Conn., later of Guilford, Vt., whence he removed to Newark, and there died at the advanced age of ninety-four years ; he was a lifelong farmer. Mr. Packer came of English ancestry who were early settlers of Newark. His wife, Abigail ( Pot- ter ), died at the age of eighty years. Austin Packer was a farmer, and did a great deal of town busi- ness, serving as selectman, justice of the peace, etc. He died at West Burke, Vt., at the age of seventy- nine years. His wife, Laura Bundy, was born in Chesterfield, N. H., and died at the age of sixty- five. She was a daughter of Isaac Bundy, a prom- inent farmer, and a pioneer of that locality. Mr. and Mrs. Austin Packer had a family of six children, three of whom are living: Henry C., Emily J., and Addie A. (Mrs. Silsby). Two of Mrs. Silby's uncles, David and Quincy Packer, were Methodist Episcopal ministers.

To our subject and his wife have been born two children : Mabel A., now the wife of Frederick M. Harlow, of Hartford ; and Anna L., who died when eight months old. Mr. Silby's partner in busi- ness is his son-in-law, Mr. Harlow. Mr. and Mis. Silsby attend the Universalist Church ; in politics he is a Republican, and has served on both jury and grand jury various times.

CHARLES AUGUSTUS TERRY. For a period of over 250 years the ancestors of the sub- ject of this sketch have resided in New England, and a little less than ten years of that time the fam- ily has been identified with what is now Hartford county, Connecticut.

The family name of Terry seems to have orig- inated among the early Franks, when, under the form of Thierry, it was not an uncommon personal name, and through the Franks coming to be re- garded as French. That form it took in England, the "h" being silent. The earliest information about the founder of the Hartford county family is de- rived from an old "book of records" now in pos- session of Hon. Henry Morris, of Springfield, Mass. In the spring of 1650 Hon. William Pyn- chon was in England, and doubtless it was then that he took into apprenticeship the boy Samuel Terry, who was an orphan living in Barnet, eleven miles north of London. He was born in 1633 or 34. The next thing known about Samuel Terry is that Jan. 7, 1654-55, the town of Springfield granted him ten acres of land on the "Chickkuppee Plain" on condition that he remain in the town five years. On Jan. 3, 1660, he married Ann Lobdell. In 1663 he was granted land in Westfall, and in 1664 in Enfield, Conn. In 1678 he was appointed surveyor of highways. He was well-to-do, a farmer and linen weaver by occupation, and much esteemed by his neighbors. His first wife died in May, 1684, and Nov. 19, 1690, he married ( second ) Sarah, widow of John Scott, from whom he parted in 1694, and passed the later years of his life with his son Samuel, in Enfield, Conn. He died in 1730.

From this Samuel Terry the subject of this sketch is in the eighth generation, the line of his de- scent being through Samuel (2), Ephraim, Samuel (3). Samuel (4), Joseph and Joseph A.

(II) Samuel Terry (2), son of Samuel, the emigrant, born in Springfield July 18, 1661, died in Enfield, Conn., Jan. 2, 1730. He married (first) in Springfield, May 17. 1682, Hannah, daughter of Miles Morgan, who was born April 1I, 1656, and died Jan. 17, 1696; married (second) in Wethers- field. Conn., Jan. 4, 1697, Martha, widow of Ben- jamin Crane, Jr., who was born in 1666, and died May 29, 1743. He settled in Enfield in 1683, and was a farmer. He was constable, selectman, and captain of militia in 1716. He was a man of piety, and prominent in church affairs.

(III) Ephraim Terry, son of Samuel (2), born in Enfield Oct. 24, 1701, died there Oct. 14, 1783. He married in Enfield Sept. 13, 1723, Ann, daugh- ter of Rev. Nathaniel and Alice (Adams) Collins, who was born Dec. 20, 1702, and died Sept. 10, 1778. She was a great-great-granddaughter of Gov. William Bradford, of Plymouth Colony. Ephraim Terry lived in Enfield, and was a tanner. He was major of militia.

(IV) Samuel Terry (3). son of Ephraim, born in Enfield Oct. 18, 1725, died there May 8, 1798. He married in Westfield, Mass., April 21, 1748, Mary, daughter of Samuel and Rachel (Ashley) Kellogg, who was born Oct. 24, 1730, and died Feb. 11, 1801. He was an innkeeper in Enfield, Connecticut.

(\') Samuel Terry (4), son of Samuel (3),

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born in Enfield July 29, 1750, died in South Wind- sor Nov. 11, 1838. He married (first) Dec. 16, 1771, Huldah, daughter of Silas and Hannah ( Mor- ton) Burnham, who was born April 30, 1752, and died May 18, 1809 ; married ( second) Dorcas Buck- land, who was born in 1759, and died Aug. 4, 1834. He was a farmer and tanner in South Windsor, Connecticut.

(VI) Joseph Terry, son of Samuel (4), born in South Windsor Oct. 3, 1797, died in Hartford Oct. 25, 1875. He married in South Windsor, Oct. 8, 1821, Mary Mather Fitch, who was born in South Windsor Sept. 3, 1802, daughter of John Field and Mary (Mather) Fitch, her father a nephew of John Fitch, first inventor of the steamboat. Mr. Terry was at one time in the leather business, was quite an architect, and in his later life was a farmer. He lived in Hartford, where Francis Parsons now lives, corner of Asylum and Prospect avenues. Frances Aurelia (Terry) Hotchkiss, a daughter of Joseph, is residing at No. 765 Asylum street, Hart- ford. She was born Sept. 6, 1822, and married Leonard M. Hotchkiss.

(VII) Joseph Augustus Terry, son of Joseph, and the father of our subject, was born Feb. 5, 1826, in Hartford. He married, Oct. 1I, 1848, Adeline Webster, who died in August, 1899. He died in 1893. Mr. Terry was educated in Hart- ford, and in that city was for years engaged in the leather business in connection with his father, and latterly lived a retired life there. His children were: Mary F., born in 1849, who married Frederick Jackson, and resides at Stony Creek, Conn .; and Charles Augustus.

Charles Augustus Terry, our subject proper, was born Nov. 2, 1850, on Trumbull street, in the city of Hartford, and was educated in the public schools of the city. He has passed his life there, and has been occupied in agricultural pursuits. He is one of the substantial men of the city and coun- ty, where he is widely and favorably known. In 1881 he was married, in Windsor, Conn., to Miss Katherine Gertrude Hayden, daughter of George P. and Frances (Loomis) Hayden, of Hayden Sta- tion, Conn., and to them has come one daughter, Editha Belle, who is now a young lady.

W. H. H. MASON. the leading druggist of Windsor, and one of the substantial business men of that place, is probably as good an example of a strictly self-made man as is to be found in active business pursuits in the town. While yet a young man, he has already attained a success which many an older man, now passing out of the business period of life, has failed to achieve. He gives strict attention to his business, which, combined with a thorough knowledge of the same, has been an im- portant factor in his success.

Mr. Mason was born in Hartford March 29, 1860. Ilis father. Benajah K. Mason, was a native of North Carolina, born near Wilmington in 1821, and belonged to an excellent Southern family. By

trade he was a carriagemaker, and when a young man he spent his summers in the North, return- ing South during the winter season, and working at his trade all the time. While thus employed in Hartford he married Miss Maria Wells, a native of Wethersfield. Conn., and a daughter of Henry and Ruth ( Wright ) Wells. Her father was a farmer, and belonged to a highly-respected family of Wethersfield. At one time Mr. Mason was en- gaged in building locomotive cabs for what is now the Consolidated Railroad Co. of Hartford, and did other work for the same company, filling respon- sible positions that required great mechanical skill and excellent judgment. He remained in their em- ploy between forty-five and fifty years, and was superintendent of bridges for several years. Dur- ing the Civil war he served as fifth sergeant in Company E, 22d Conn. V. I., and he was later a member of Robert O. Tyler Post, G. A. R., of Hartford. He was a member of the Asylum Hill Congregational Church, and fraternally of the Im- proved Order of Red Men, and politically was identified with the Republican party, in the suc- cess of which he took a deep interest. He was a man of great energy and activity, and was quite robust until the illness that caused his death. He passed away in 1895, at the age of seventy-four years, honored and respected by all who knew him. The mother of our subject died in 1881, at the age of fifty-nine, and both were laid to rest in Hartford cemetery. In their family were only two sons, the other being Francis A. E., an employe of the Consolidated Railway Co. at Hartford.

The subject of this review was reared in Hart- ford, and graduated from the high school of that city in 1878. On laving aside his text-books he entered the business house of Sovereigns of In- dustry, on Allyn street, where he served as book- keeper until he commenced learning the druggist's trade. He entered the store of D. G. Stoughton in Hartford, and remained there ten years, which length of service in itself is evidence of his efficiency and worth. On leaving there, in 1889, he came to Windsor and bought the business of the late A. M. Holt, at once began to enlarge and improve the store, and in 1896 built his present excellent store room-the best in Windsor-which is fitted up in the most approved style. He now enjoys an ex- cellent trade, and does a profitable business. Mr. Mason is one of the shrewd and careful business men of the place, is systematic, and very attentive to the wants of his customers. He is certainly one of the representative business men of Windsor, and one of its best citizens.

Mr. Mason was united in marriage with Miss Gertrude Cooley, of Hartford, a daughter of ex- Representative Charles H. Coolev, and they have two children: Howard C. and Arthur C. In his political affiliations Mr. Mason is a Republican, and in his social relations is a member of B. H. Webb Lodge, No. 702, R. A., of Hartford. Religiously he is a member of the Congregational Church,

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while his wife holds membership in the Universalist Church. They have a delightful home adjoining his place of business, and within its hospitable doors their many friends are always sure of a hearty welcome.

THEODORE B. ACKERLY, M. D., a rising young physician of Hartford, with office at the corner of Main and Pearl streets, was born Feb. 9, 1874, in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Doctor's ancestors were early settlers of New York and his grandfather and father, Will- iam Ackerly, were both born there. The latter was engaged in wagon manufacturing in New York and Massachusetts for many years. He married a lady named Brooks, who now resides in Hartford, and they had two children: Jennie C. and Theodore Burton.

Dr. Ackerly spent much of his boyhood on Long Island, and after completing a common- school course entered the Eastman Business Col- lege, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1892. He also attended St. Stephen's Theological School, at An- nandale, N. Y., Dartmouth College, and the Long Island Medical College, from which latter he was graduated in 1897. Locating in Hartford in the same year, he speedily won recognition, and in 1898 was chosen city physician.

JAMES F. O'LEARY, A. B., M. D., one of Hartford's progressive and successful physicians, was born in that city Oct. 18, 1873, son of Patrick and Mary (Foley ) O'Leary. His ancestory is traced through several generations, the family home having been in County Kerry, Ireland, where his great-grandfather O'Leary lived and died. Cor- nelius O'Leary, our subject's grandfather, was born in County Kerry, and after engaging in farming there for some time came to America, and passed his remaining years in retirement at Northampton, Mass. He had five children: Patrick, Cornelius, Jeremiah, Julia (who married Michael Courtey), and Bridget (deceased).

Patrick O'Leary, our subject's father, was born in 1846 in County Kerry, Ireland, and was edu- cated in the schools of that locality. He accom- panied his father to America, locating first in North- ampton, Mass., and after some years removing to Hartford, where he entered the Washburn factory as a melter : he is now employed as foreman of a department by Connelly & Cody. He is an intel- ligent man, a close observer, and fond of reading, and is an active member of St. Patrick's Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Politically he is independent, though for a number of years he affiliated with the Dem- ocratic party. His wife is a daughter of James F. Foley, a foundryman, who came from Ireland and located first in Northampton, Mass. The training and education of their eight children has been their chief care, and they have a clever and promising family: Jeremiah P., a mason; James Francis;

Mary, who married John Henry Hogan; Patrick, deceased; Margaret, at home; John, a student ; Bridget ; and Annie, at home, now attending school.

Dr. O'Leary was graduated from St. Patrick's school, in Hartford, in 1888, and then took a course in the high school, graduating April 22, 1892. In the fall of the same year he entered Villa Nova College, at Villa Nova, Delaware Co., Penn., where he took a three-years course in two years, and was given the degree of B. A. in 1894. The class num- bered thirty-four, and the Doctor was valedictorian, and also received a medal for proficiency in the classics. As he tied with a classmate in philosophy two medals were given. While at college he was a member of the base-ball and foot-ball teams. In the fall of 1894 our subject began the study of medicine in Baltimore Medical College, where he studied for two years, and in 1896 he entered the University of Buffalo, Senior year, taking his de- gree in the spring of 1897. In May, 1897, he opened an office alone in Hartford, and he has been very successful in his practice, his keen mind and thorough training enabling him to meet the prob- lems of professional life effectively.

Socially the Doctor is popular, and he is a men- ber of the Order of Foresters; the Knights of the Maccabees ; the Ancient Order of Hibernians ; the Monday Night Bowling Club; and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is medical examiner in the Foresters, and in one tent of the Maccabees and Modern Woodmen.

JOHN KORNGIEBEL, the first German to lo- cate in Glastonbury, and the oldest now living there. is a good representative of that thrifty, in- dustrious, sensible race which has furnished to America so many excellent citizens. He was born near Eisenach, Saxe-Weimar, Germany, where his family has long been well known. His grand- father, John Korngiebel, a farmer, there married and had two sons-David, our subject's father ; and Conrad, a blacksmith, who met his death by drowning in the river near his home.

David Korngiebel engaged in farming at the old home, and was married there to Margaret Heidride, by whom he had three sons: David, who died in childhood : John; and Frederick. In 1848: the family came to America, the voyage from Bremen to New York lasting forty-nine days, and they landed in New York March 12, 1848, without funds or friends. Employment was found at vari- ous odd jobs by which all managed to subsist until our subject found steady work in Glastonbury, where they settled, the father dying there in 1857, and the mother in 1877. Frederick located finally at Belchertown, Mass .; he married (first) Julia Miles and ( second) May Eaton.

While looking for work in New York in 1849, John Korngiebel chanced to meet Mr. Sparks, of East Glastonbury, who was seeking workmen for his mill, and an arrangement was speedily made. His wages were only $16 per month, but helped

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much toward securing a home for the family, and as soon as he could begin to save. he invested in a tract of forty acres of land, belonging to Henry Wright. After six years in the mill he decided to devote his time to farming, and he has since added nineteen acres to his first purchase, making fifty-nine acres in all. He and his family attend the Methodist Church. and are much esteemed socially. Mr. Korngiebel married Martha Isleib, who was born in 1822, daughter of Henry Isleib, a native of Sax- ony, and they had children as follows: (1) Lena died in New York shortly after their arrival. (2) Frederick, born April 20, 1846, married Hannah Frey. and reside in Waterbury. He served in the Civil war in Company A, 21st Conn. V. I. (3) Will- iam, born April 25. 1850, married Emily Hodge, of East Glastonbury, and now resides there. (4) John, born April 22, 1853, married Rose Covell, and set- tled in Manchester, where he is employed in Cheney Brothers' Silk Mill. (5) Martin, born Aug. 26, 1855. married Mary Gilson, and died Jan. 24, 1885. He was employed in a mill in East Glastonbury. (6) Martha, born April 3. 1858, died Feb. 12, 1885. (7) Margaret, born July 25, 1860, married Henry Friar, of Manchester. (8) An infant died un- named. (9) David, born Aug. 4. 1865. on the present homestead, attended the Neipsic school in boyhood. On leaving school he turned his atten- tion to farming, relieving his father of business details, and he is now tenderly caring for his aged parents. He is much respected in the community. While he has never cared for politics, he is a Demo- crat, as is our subject, and socially he is identified with Elm Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Glastonbury, and the Grange.

JOEL C. TAFT, a well-known resident of Hart- ford, was born Jan. 13, 1848, in East Glastonbury, Conn .. son of Frederick J. Taft.

Otis Taft, his grandfather, was born and reared in New York City, and was engaged in business there for many years, dving at the age of eighty- five. His wife, Rebecca, who was a native of the city. attained the same age.

Frederick J. Taft was born in New York City, where he received a common-school education. As a boy he assisted his father, and later he took pos- session of the business, which was then located at the corner of Washington and York streets. In addition to his manufacturing he sawed a vast amount of lumber, but he finally sold out and re- tired to East Glastonbury, where he died when sixty-two years of age. His wife, Caroline M. Cutter, died aged eighty-two. She was born in East Glastonbury, daughter of Allen Cutter, a farm- er, and a very extensive land owner of that town. who died at an advanced age. Our subject was one of a family of seven children, and is the young- est of the three survivors. Frederick J. resides in East Hartford. Caroline married Albert Butler, of New Haven. Both father and grandfather were Democrats politically, but refused all offices, al-

though taking an active interest in party success. The family has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years.

Joel C. Taft was educated mainly in his native town, but during his boyhood went to Manchester, where he remained two years. He then went to Hartford, where he began driving teams, and later went to Bundysburg, Ohio, to work in a stone quarry, remaining three years. Finding a good opening at Nelson, Portage Co., Ohio, he engaged in quarrying there on his own account, but soon sold out to good advantage. For a short time he followed farming near Kalamazoo, Mich., then went to Cleveland, Ohio, and finally returned to Hartford, and learned the molder's trade. After following his trade for a time he was employed to drive a coal wagon, and in 1888 embarked in the coal busi- ness in a small way. He finally sold out and took a position with H. C. Burgess, with whom he re- mained some years as superintendent, and in 1895 he started his present yard and office, where he has built up a good business. The yard is located at the foot of Church street, and at present he has two offices, at No. 1350 Main street, and at No. 20) Albany avenue, respectively. He has also o feed, boarding and hack stable at No. 1177 Main street, and keeps twenty-four horses, his line of hacks being the finest in the city. Mr. Taft has the reputation of having an interest in the pros- perity of the town of East Hartford, and of hav- ing done more to build up East Hartford than any other man now living there. At one time he pur- chased a large tract of land and developed it, build- ing a number of houses, and though he sold a num- ber he still owns six, including his own beautiful residence. In 1874 he married Miss Emily Stead- man, of Windsorville, Conn., a member of a pio- neer family of that town. They have five chil- dren : ' Albert, now bookkeeper for our subject ; William, yardmaster at the yard; Charles, head night clerk at the "United States Hotel." Hart- ford: Harry, who was educated in the common schools, and is now a clerk with his father ; and Albert, a student in business college.

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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 170

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