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 174

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 174

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Joseph L. Besse received his education mainly in Germany, whither, at the age of seven years, he had gone to live with an uncle, and there he made his home until 1872, in which year he came to the United States. Landing at New York, he resided there eleven years, part of the time (eight years) serving in hotels, etc., in the capacity of cook, and also learning the ice-cream business under Maresi, the leading manufacturer in that line in the United States. For two years he was foreman in Marga- dlant's establishment in that city, and at the end of that time, in 1883, came to Hartford and opened, in a small way, the confectionery, etc. store which he has since conducted, and where he rapidly built up an excellent trade, in less than two months having a couple of wagons constantly in service. For five years he was associated in Hartford with his brother Peter, who then went to Boston and opened up a similar establishment on Tremont street, the part- nership continuing there until 1895, when it was dis- solved, the firm name, "P. & J. Besse," however, remaining the same. In 1892 our subject had an ad- dition put to his Hartford store, No. 701 Main street, which has now a frontage of 25 feet, and in addi- tion to his large ice-cream and confectionery trade he does an extensive first-class catering business, keeping six horses and vehicles and a steady force of seventeen hands. He has the capacity to cater to the largest parties, and has acommodated as many as 2.700 people in a single day. On January 4. 1894, he had the catering for the Governor's ball, and for the invited guests and troops who took part. in the exercises. For three years, from 1894 to 1897, lie also conducted a restaurant in Hartford.

In 1882 Mr. Besse was married to Jennie Dallas, who was born in France, and five children have been born to this union : James P., Mary E., Eleanor G., O. A., and Louis A. In politics Mr. Besse is a Re- publican, and is popular in his party. but has de- clined nomination for office. Socially he is a mem- ber of the Gentlemen's Driving Club, the Yacht Club, and Colt's Revolver Club, and is one of the most popular, genial citizens in Hartford.

THOMAS FRANCIS KANE, a popular motor- man on the Meriden, Southington & Compounce Electric railway, was born in Queen street, South- ington, in December. 1853. His parents. Walter and Esther (Coughlan) Kane, natives of Queen's and King's counties, Ireland, respectively, came to Amer- ica prior to 1850, and soon afterward located in Southington, where the father had charge of a sec- tion of the Northampton & New Haven canal. He also acted as watchman for the Peck, Smith Co. for a time. He had two children : Patrick ( who died in 1890) and Thomas F.

Thomas F. Kane grew to manhood in Southing- ton, and was educated in the public schools of the town. He began his business career as an employe of the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co., being connected with the varnishing department for twelve years. For the following five years he was engaged in the liquor business in Southington, and since 1898 has held his present position with the Meriden, South- ington & Compounce railway.

On June 28, 1888, Mr. Kane married Miss Mag- gie, daughter of Thomas and Mary ( Callahan), Callahan, of Tipperary, Ireland, and to this union four children were born: Esther Mary: Walter, Thomas, deceased ; Helen Augusta; and Margaret. The parents are devout members of St. Thomas Catholic Church of Southington, and Mr. Kane is also a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters of America ; he is a stanch Democrat in politics. Our subject is a genial, courteous gentleman, highly re- spected by all who know him.

EDWARD I. BRADSHAW, in the employ of the E. Ingraham Co., clock manufacturers, Bristol. Hartford county, Connecticut.

MERRICK LAMPHEAR, superintendent of the Enfield Almshouse, was born in Monson, Mass., Nov. 13, 1845, a son of Gaylord W. and Catherine (Harvey) Lamphear, both natives of Monson. He was reared to manhood in Monson, educated in the public schools, and began life on a farm, following that vocation until the breaking out of the Civil war.

On Sept. 19, 1862, though not yet seventeen years of age, Mr. Lamphear enlisted in Company G, 46th Mass. V. I., and served nine months, when he was honorably discharged. He at once re-enlisted, June 2, 1863, in Company A, 2d Massachusetts Ar- tillery, and served to the close of the war, being hon- orably discharged Sept. 3. 1865. After the war Mr. Lamphear was engaged in various occupations until 1887, when he was appointed superintendent of the Enfield Almshouse, a position he has held, with credit to himself and to the town, up to the present time.

Mr. Lamphear has been twice married. His first wife. Nellie, daughter of Chauncey and Abigail Davis, of Enfield, bore him two children, Mabel and Harry. For his second wife he married Maggie, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (McAdams) Henry. of Enfield. Mr. Lamphear is an enterprising and public-spirited citizen ; politically he is a Republican.

OLIVER T. MATHER, son of Timothy Mather, and a younger brother of Walter S. Mather, is one of Hartford county's most progressive and suc- cessful farmers.

Mr. Mather was born April 3, 1856, and received his early education in what is known as the North East school, which he attended during the winter months. rather irregularly. until he reached the age of fifteen. His disposition, however, was too active for him not to chafe at what he considered the irk-

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some restraint of the school room, and, while he has always been fond of reading, the higher branches of learning have failed to interest him. His father had promised to each son who should remain upon the farm until he attained his majority the sum of $1,000, and young Oliver worked upon the paternal acres until he reached the age of twenty-one, receiv- ing as wages during the last year the sum of $25 per month. In the autumn of 1878 he went to Litchfield countv, where, in company with Robert Farrand, he engaged in buying cattle during the winter months, continuing that business through two or three seasons. In the spring of 1879 he rented a farm from his father and started in the milk busi- ness, three years later disposing of his trade in this line. During the succeeding nine months he trav- eled extensively in the West, visiting Colorado and California, and for a time successfully engaging in business in Denver. In the spring of 1883 he began farming on the property originally leased from his father, and which is now his through inheritance. From that day to the present time he has led the independent life of an agriculturist. To his original holdings he added a farm in Deerfield, which, how- ever, he subsequently sold. His specialties have been dairy farming and tobacco culture, and in both he has been eminently successful, owing to his excel- lent judgment and practical knowledge. His meth- ods are both systematic and thorough, and his indus- try untiring. His live stock includes forty cows and six horses.

Mr. Mather is a man of warm heart and unselfish impulses, highly esteemed by his neighbors and ac- quaintances, and warmly beloved by his friends. His religious belief is that of the Christian Scientists, and he is a member of the First Church of that creed in the city of Hartford. While he is a Democrat politically, the yoke of partisanship rests but lightly upon his shoulders, and he not infrequently places character before party allegiance.

In 1884 Mr. Mather married Lizzie, daughter of Edward Denslow, of Hartford, also a farmer. Their union has been blessed with one son, Osmond Monroe, born Oct. 28, 1896.

M. J. BLACK, D. V. S., a leading veterinary surgeon of Hartford, and the proprietor of a large livery stable in that city, was born July 28, 1839, in Derby, Vt., of a well-known New England family. Timothy Black, his father, was born in Putney, Vt., and followed agriculture in Coventry. that State, for many years, dying there in 1857. at the age of fifty-six. He married Almira Baldwin, who at- tained the age of seventy-four years. Both parents were devout Baptists, and were much esteemed.

M. J. Black remained at the home farm until he reached the age of eighteen, when he engaged in a dry-goods business in Newport. Vt. After five years he sold out and went to Baltimore, engaging in the real-estate business. Later he spent three years in Harrisburg, where he started an omnibus line, and on returning to Newport he purchased a

livery stable and commenced to study for the degree of veterinary surgeon. His course was completed in Montreal, and in 1881 he located on State street, Hartford, remaining there eight years. His prac- tice is now extensive, and he maintains a hospital, keeping an assistant. Our subject was in business at No. 171 Main street for five years before locating at his present stand, No. 560 Main street, in 1893. He has a general livery business, keeping about forty horses, besides numerous boarders. His love of fine horseflesh has led to his keeping a number of race horses, some of them noted, and several trotters have been raised by him.

In 1860 Dr. Black married Miss Lucy H. Bisbee, a native of Derby, and daughter of David Bisbee, a farmer, who died at the age of fifty-six ; his wife at the age of seventy-five years. Mrs. Black is one of a family of eight children, six of whom are living. Our subject has one son, Elmer E., born in Coven- try, Vt., and now a farmer in Avon. Elmer E. Black married Miss Lizzie Putney, also a native of Coventry, and they have had five children. of whom three are living : Clarence, Louis and Harold.

Dr. Black is one of the well-known citizens of Hartford, and but two or three men are now in busi- ness who were there when he began. Politically he is a Republican, but he does not seek public office. He is active in social and other interests, however, and has been an officer in the Driving Club since its organization, having been president two years, and now holding the vice-presidency. He belongs to Blue Lodge, F. & A. M., of Newport ; to Memphra- gog Lodge, No. 65, of which he has been a member since 1865 ; and to the Royal Arcanum, of Hartford. The family is identified with the Congregational Church, Dr. and Mrs. Black having united with the church before leaving Newport.

GEORGE THOMAS ARTHUR. proprietor of Oak Grove farm, in Berlin, is one of the most skill- ful and reliable young agriculturists of the town, and in his labors is meeting with most gratifying success. He was born in Christian Lane, Berlin. Jan. 8, 1872, and throughout his active business life has been iden- tified with the farming interests of the town.

Mr. Arthur's father, George Arthur, was born in Herefordshire, England, Nov. 29, 1829, and came to the United States July 1, 1852. He first located in New Haven, but shortly afterward came to Ber- lin, and has since followed the occupation of farm- ing. He married Miss Barbara Alter, who was born in Berlin, Conn., of German parentage, and died in 1861, and to this union came two children : ( 1) Mary Ann, born Nov. 28. 1857, is now the widow of Will- iam A. Woods, a wood turner, of New Britain. (2) Julia Elizabeth, born Jan. 10. 1859, is the wife of Henry Stephen Norton, a joiner of Kensington, Conn .. and they have had four children-Annie Bar- bara, born June 19. 1884 (died July 26, 1890) ; Frances Irene. Nov. 22. 1891 : Olive May, Aug. 22, 1893 ; and Ruth Mabel, Jan. 26, 1896. By his second wife, Susan, George Arthur had four children :

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Fannie Rebecca, born Aug. 7, 1864, and Sarah Jane, born May 4. 1870, are both at home : George T., our subject. is next in the order of birth ; and Alice Car- oline. born Jan. 25, 1873. is the wife of William Case, a plumber of New Britain.

George T. Arthur was reared upon the home farm. and early became familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, while his literary education was obtained by attending the Berlin schools through the winter season, when his services were not needed at home. After leaving school he devoted his entire time and attention to farming. In March, 1879. the father removed to Rocky Hill, this county, where he still conducts a farm. In October, 1894, our subject purchased the Samuel F. Talmadge property, in Beckley, through William Bulkeley and James Roach, as adminis- trators, and now has a fine farm of sixty-five acres, besides 125 acres in Rocky Hill. He is a thorough and systematic farmer, and his fields are made to vield a good tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon then1. He has erected upon his place a fine large barn, and made many other im- provements which add to its value and attractive appearance, and now has one of the best farms in the Beckley Quarter, raising potatoes, corn, rye, etc. ; to some extent he is also interested in dairying, sell- ing butter at wholesale and retail.

Politically Mr. Arthur is a Republican, but at local elections generally votes independent of party lines, endeavoring to support the men best quali- fied for the office. He has always refused political honors, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business interests. He attends the Congrega- tional Church, of which his parents and sister, Fan- nie R., are members. The family is one of promi- mence in the community where they reside.

LEON S. RISLEY, a well-known pharmacist of Hartford, was born July 31, 1866, in Manchester, Hartford Co., Conn., where his family has long been prominent.

William W. Risley, his father, was born in Tol- land county, Conn., and prepared for mercantile life as a clerk in Hartford, the store in which he was engaged being on the site of the present Cheney building. For thirty years he was successfully en- gaged in business at Manchester as a clothing mer- chant, but eighteen years ago he retired from active work. As a citizen he is much respected, and his influence has been especially turned toward the ad- vancement of educational interests. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity in Manchester. Mr. Risley married Frances .A. Case, also a native of Tol- land county, and they had two children : Arthur W. ( deceased) and Leon S.

Our subject's education was begun in the schools of Manchester, and he entered upon his business career as a clerk for W. H. Cheney & Co., in Man- chester, with whom he remained two years. He then spent two and a half years with Mr. Lowry, a druggist in East Hartford, and for two years at-

tended the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. On leaving college he clerked four years for A. Mar- wick, Jr., a druggist in Hartford, and in June, 1893, he established his present store at No. 385 Capitol avenue. He is a member of the City and State Phar- maceutical Associations, and enjoys a high stand- ing among his professional brethren. Mr. Risley was married in Hartford to Miss Jennie G. Hunt, a native of Massachusetts.

JOHN EDWARD WHALEN, the present effi- cient manager of the Spring Brook Ice Co's. farm and other property at Wethersfield, was born in that town, near the Rocky Hill line, Nov. 1, 1863, and is a son of Martin and Elizabeth (Delaney) Whalen, both natives of Ireland. The father is now a well- to-do farmer of Rocky Hill, is a stanch Democrat in politics, and both he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church.

During his boyhood and youth John E. Whalen attended the public schools of Wethersfield and the South Hartford schools. He grew to manhood on the home farm, and remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, after which he spent several seasons in traveling, in the interest of the Johnson & Robbins Seed Co., through Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New York and Massa- chusetts. He also worked at farming during the summer months, upon a rented farm in Rocky Hill, and later bought a farm in that town, which he oper- ated for a few years, and which he still owns. In 1890 he accepted the position of manager of the large tract of land belonging to the Spring Brook Ice Co., and he has since been with the firm in that capacity, an honored and trusted employe, one who thoroughly understands his business, is industrious, painstaking and faithful, and discharges his duties in a most satisfactory manner.

In Rocky Hill Mr. Whalen was married, in 1889, to Miss Susan McNamara, a native of that place, and a daughter of Dennis McNamara, one of its well-to-do farmers. They have two children: John J. and Martin Edward. The Democratic party finds in Mr. Whalen a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has been appointed justice of the peace in Wethersfield. Fraternally he belongs to Wethers- field Grange, and to the Knights of Columbus, at Cromwell, and religiously he is a member of the Catholic Church. In business and social circles he stands high, and is much respected by all who know him.

HEZEKIAH BUTLER, an energetic and suc- cessful farmer and representative citizen of Wethers- field, is a native of that town, born in Jordan Lane, April 4, 1833, and belongs to one of its oldest and best families.

Ensign Samuel Butler, the first of the name to locate in Wethersfield, was deacon of the church at that place. He was somewhat of a prophet, and foretold his own death, saying that it would take place the last day of the week, the last day of the

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month, and the last day of the year. This proved true, and he died Saturday, Dec. 31, 1692. His wife, Elizabeth, departed this life Oct. 12, 1681, and both were laid to rest in the Wetherfield cemetery. (II) James Butler, son of Ensign Samuel, was born in Wethersfield, where he spent his entire life, dying there Nov. 7, 1765. He was married May 6, 1703, to Hannah Edwards, daughter of Joseph Ed- wards, and she died Jan. 10, 1742. The remains of both were interred in the Wethersfield cemetery. Their children were Hannah, born Sept. 26, 1705; Hezekiah, mentioned below; James, born Feb. 4, 1712; and William, born Feb. 8, 1715.

(III) Hezekiah Butler was born April 29, 1708, in the town of Wethersfield, where he spent his entire life as a farmer, and where he died Dec. 17, 1786. On Jan. 19, 1732, he married Rebecca Stand- ish, daughter of Thomas and Rebecca (Hume) Standish. She died March 22, 1776, and both were buried in Wethersfield cemetery. In their family were seven children, whose names and dates of birth were as follows : Lois, Nov. 9, 1732; Rebecca, May 21, 1735; James, Dec. 9, 1736; Hezekiah, April 6, 1740; Lois (2), Nov. 3, 1742; Josiah, July 8, 1745 ; and John, April 24, 1753.

(IV) John Butler, the last named was a lifelong resident of Wethersfield, and devoted his entire life and attention to agricultural pursuits. On Feb. 9, 1777, he married Love Smith, of Wethersfield, and they became the parents of seven children: Sarah, born April 22, 1778; Betsey, Oct. 8, 1780; Hope, Feb. 22, 1783 ; Polly, June 19, 1785 : Clarissa, Jan. 8, 1788; Hezekiah, Jan. 19, 1790; and Emily, March 30, 1793.

(V) Hezekiah Butler, son of John, and father of our subject, never left the old homestead in Wethers- field, and throughout his life made many improve- ments upon the farm, including the erection of a fine residence in 1837. He engaged in general farm- ing with marked success, and was also interested in seed growing. His political support was given first to the Whig and later to the Republican party, and in his religious views he was liberal. He died upon his farm in August, 1863, honored and re- spected by all who knew him. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Harriet Welles, and was a native of Wethersfield, also died on the old home- stead, at the age of seventy-seven years, and was laid to rest by his side in the Wethersfield cemetery. She was a consistent Christian woman, a member of the Congregational Church. They had eight chil- dren : Harriet, deceased wife of George Mix; Sarah, deceased wife of Isaac Mix; John, who died on the old homestead in 1898 (he served in the Civil war) ; Hezekiah, our subject; Love Smith, wife of Horace Booth, of New Britain ; Lucy, widow of Levi Cole- man ; Levi, who was killed by the cars at a crossing between Rocky Hill and Wethersfield, and Martha, Mrs. Adams, who lives in South Wethersfield.

(VI) Hezekiah Butler, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared on the home farm, and at- tended the district schools of Wethersfield, and also

a private school taught by Miss Standish and Miss Buck. When only fifteen years of age he took charge of the farm, as his father was in ill health, and after the latter's death had complete control of the place. Ilere he has ever since engaged exten- sively in seed growing, tobacco culture, dairy and general farming, and is accounted one of the most thorough and skillful agriculturists of the town. He has been eminently successful in his chosen occupa- tion, and is a large land owner.

In 1886 Mr. Butler was united in marriage with Mrs. Elizabeth (Allyn) Butler, widow of his brother Levi. They have an adopted daughter, Cora. Mir. and Mrs. Butler are members of the Grange, and it is safe to say that no couple in the community is held in higher esteem, or has more friends. She is a member of the Congregational Church, and Mr. Butler is rather liberal in his religious views. He served twelve years in the Governor's Horse Guards, rising from private to the rank of lieutenant, and he is a member of the G. A. R. In his political affili- ations Mr. Butler is a Republican, and he has most creditably and acceptably served as selectman of Wethersfield, member of the board of relief, grand juror and justice of the peace. He is progressive and public-spirited and gives his support to every enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit.

ANSON Q. PERKINS, one of the most popular and prosperous of the butchers and meat dealers of Bristol, was born in Litchfield, Conn., Oct. 27, 1851, and is the third of the seven children born to Charles Lewis and Lucy A. (Merriman) Perkins, natives of the same city.

Charles Lewis Perkins was one of the four chil- dren born to Peter and Sallie Perkins, who lived in Morris, Litchfield county, Conn. He was reared a blacksmith, and lived in Litchfield, where he was prominent as a Democratic politician, as a public official, and as a captain in the State militia. He was also well advanced in Freemasonry. The seven children alluded to above were born in the following order: Amelia E., who is married to J. Warren Johnson, a lawyer of Enfield ; Edson, a car- penter of Litchfield ; Anson Q .; Franklin Pierce, of Port Chester, N. Y. ; Lester and Willie, both in New York City, and Marion, under the parental roof at Litchfield.

Anson Q. Perkins, after leaving the common schools of Litchfield at the age of fourteen years, worked a year in the butcher shop of Cook & Far- nam, and then for five or six years worked for John A. Merriman, at Unionville, whence he came, about 1880 to Bristol, and for four years worked for Elton, and then for seven years for M. L. Gaylord, these long tenured positions giving good evidence of his capacity. About this time Mr. Perkins was elected first selectman on the Democratic ticket for three years, although he was then a member of the board of burgesses, to which he had been elected for two years. After the expiration of his term as selectman,

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he engaged in the butcher business on his own ac- count on North Main street, in which he has met with a most flattering success. As a Democrat, he has always been very active in party work, and as a member of the town committee, an office he has held for several years, he has been energetic, intlu- ential and faithful, and has done much toward main- taining the supremacy of his party.

Mr. Perkins is an ex-worshipful Master of : Franklin lodge, No. 56, F. & A. M., and has filled all the intervening chairs, and he is also a member of Bristol Grange, No. 116, P. of H. He married Miss Mary C. A. Jenkins, a daughter of William Jenkins, of Uniontown, and by her has been blessed with two children : Lucy Abigail, who was born July 4, 1885, and is now in the Bristol high school; and Charles Lewis, born Jan. 1, 1887, attending the dis- trict school. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins are sincere worshipers at the Episcopal Church, in which he has for several years been a vertryman, and socially are greatly respected by a large circle of friends, as well as by the general public.

FRANCIS H. ROBBINS, a well-known market gardener, and assessor of the town of Wethersfield, was born there Oct. 31, 1843, and is a worthy repre- sentative of one of the most prominent pioneer fam- ilies. His grandfather, Elisha Robbins, was born in Wethersfield. and was a son of Joshua Robbins. On reaching manhood he married Sarah Goodrich, a daughter of Nathaniel Goodrich, and to them were born the following children : Sarah, wife of H. Pit- tice; Royal, a minister of the Congregational Church, who (first) married Martha Wright, and (second) Elizabeth Russell: Elisha; Chauncey ; Henry, father of our subject ; Martha, wife of Allen Talcott ; Julia, wife of Noble Montague ; and four who died in infancy.

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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 174

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