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 179

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 179

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Judge Hamersley was one of the founders of the Connecticut State Bar Association, and, with Richard W. Hubbard and Simeon E. Baldwin, con- stituted the committee of that Association through whose initiatory efforts the American Bar Associa- tion was founded. He was one of the original promoters of civil procedure reform in this State, and a member of the Commission that drafted the Practice Act, and the rules and forms of procedure adopted by the court for giving due effect to its provisions ; he was also an early and active promoter of the reform in the jury system in Connecticut.

L. WALTER CLARK, who has served most efficiently as assistant secretary of the Connecticut Fire Insurance Co. of Hartford since 1881, is an insurance man of thirty-five years' experience, and. it is needless to say, is well-known in insurance circles.

Mr. Clark was born in the town of Cornwall, Conn., and entered the insurance field in 1865 as special agent for the Home Insurance Co. of New Haven, Conn. Shortly before the Chicago fire of 1871 he took the vice-presidency of the En- terprise Insurance Co. of Philadelphia, which went down through losses incurred by the calamity. Af- ter a brief term as special agent with the Spring- field ( Mass.) Fire and Marine, he accepted the pres- idency of the Meriden, but resigned in 1881 to en- ter the Connecticut Fire, of which he was made assistant secretary Feb. I, of that year.

GEORGE W. MITCHELL, secretary and treasurer of the E. N. Welch Manufacturing Co., and otherwise prominently identified with the com- mercial life of Bristol, comes of a family whose members have long been active and influential in the town, in matters of Church and State, as well as material progress.

Hon. George Mitchell, his grandfather, born in 1774, was numbered with those who a century ago were the bone and sinew of the business life and general prosperity of Bristol, where all his active days were passed. He was one of the earliest clock manufacturers in the town, making at first the old wooden clocks, now rarely seen, and later brass

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clocks, as they came into general use. For many years he also conducted a profitable mercantile business, and by his energy, ability and strict integ- rity came to be regarded as one of the foremost men in the town in commercial circles. However, his attention was not confined to business, for he took an active interest in the affairs of his time and place, and his fellow citizens delighted to give substantial evidence of their confidence in him by selecting him for various positions of public trust. He was prominently connected with different important State conventions that made a marked impress in the history of the commonwealth, and in 1837 was elected State senator from the Third District, in every incumbency realizing the expectations of his fellow townsmen, and adding greater honor to a nanie already held in the highest esteem. For years he was postmaster at Bristol. In political sentiment he was a Democrat, and a stanch advocate of the principles of his party, but his position was taken with such sincerity, and his convictions so mani- festly strong and honest that he made no political enemies among those who differed with him, gain- ing rather their admiration and respect. The Bristol Baptist Church, with which he united in 1815, had in him for nearly forty years one of its stanchest and most liberal supporters, as well as ac- tive workers, and his unselfish devotion to its in- terests was of lasting benefit both to its material and spiritual welfare. In fact, his conduct in all the relations of life bespoke the devout Christian. He was especially interested in young men about to start in business, and his practical sympathy and ready generosity often paved the way to unex- pected successes. Mr. Mitchell was one of the first in Bristol to join the Free-masons, and his name is still held in high honor in the local lodge of the fraternity. He died July 29, 1852.

Julius R. Mitchell, son of Hon. George, and the father of our subject, was born in Bristol. Jan. 8, 1821, and spent his entire life in that town, dying Feb. 19, 1899, after a well-rounded business career of about sixty years. He followed in his father's footsteps in his activity in religious and public affairs, and, living in the period of Bristol's most important development, especially along commercial lines, took no unimportant part in that growth, his enterprise and progressiveness exerting marked in- fluence in molding the character of the town, which now ranks among the large manufacturing towns of the State. For over fifty years he was at the head of a prosperous mercantile business in Bristol, first as a general merchant, later as dealer in dry goods, men's furnishing goods and clothing, and the firm of J. R. Mitchell & Son became one of the leading and best-known establishments in the town. Mr. Mitchell was the oldest merchant there at the time of his death. His recognized business ability was called into frequent requisition in other enterprises. He was one of the incorporators and ever after a director of the Bristol Savings Bank : was a director in the Bristol Brass & Clock Co., and

president of the Bristol Manufacturing Co. In sentiment a lifelong Democrat, he always took an ardent interest in politics, and was repeatedly the. recipient of high honors at the hands of his fellow citizens, serving as representative from Bristol in the State Legislature at New Haven in 1852, and again in 1872, and at Hartford in 1871. In 1873 he served Hartford county as State senator. In all his- public service he carried himself with honor and uprightness, and did credit to his name and his- constituency. Though public-spirited in everything pertaining to the good of his community, he avoided nomination for local offices, the duties of which his townspeople would gladly have entrusted to him.

On March 6, 1836, Mr. Mitchell united with the Bristol Baptist Church, and retained that connection to the close of his life, taking the deepest interest in all that concerned the welfare of that society. A Baptist by birth and training, his love for his church was one of the strongest and noblest im- pulses of a broad Christian life ; he cheerfully gave his best to promote the advancement of his church and Christianity in general, and this same love of the church has descended to his children. He counted his service to his Master as his highest privilege. Few of the younger generation realize how much the Bristol Baptist Church is indebted to him, for throughout his long membership he was a faithful as well as generous supporter of her interests, not one of which ever appealed to him in vain. All philanthropies won his practical sympathy.

On Jan. 21, 1845, Mr. Mitchell married Dru- silla Welch, who was born April 23, 1825. daughter of George Welch, a prominent citizen of Bristol, and sister of Elisha Welch, one of the most suc- cessful manufacturers of the town. Mrs. Mitchell has spent her entire life in Bristol. She, too, comes from a family prominent in Baptist circles, and is a devoted member of the Bristol Church, which she joined in 1841. Throughout his long and suc- cessful career Mr. Mitchell never failed of the in- spiring encouragement of her sympathy and co-op- eration. Four children blessed this marriage, three still living: George W .. our subject : Helen Juliet, born March 8, 1852, who died Aug. 24, 1854 ; Annie Juliet, born July 11, 1856, who married William J. Isaacson, and lives in Cincinnati, Ohio (they have no children) ; and Julia Niles, who is living at home with her mother, in the beautiful and commodious home of the family.

George W. Mitchell was born Nov. 7. 1852. and was educated in the schools of Bristol and in Willis- ton Seminary. Early in life he was admitted to partnership with his father in one of the most pros- perous and well known mercantile businesses of this part of Hartford county-the firm of J. R. Mitchell & Son. While he retains his interest in this concern and has a thorough knowledge of its workings, he has for several years devoted him- self to manufacturing. He was the assistant treas-

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urer of the E. N. Welch Manufacturing Co. from August, 1885, to February, 1897, when he was elected to his present position of secretary and treasurer of that concern, which is one of the largest clock manufactories in this wide and great country. The present promising status and outlook of this large concern are due in no small measure to his energy, business sagacity, and the very high confi- dence which is placed in him by this entire business community and by all who have ever had business relations with him. He is a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners, and a director of the Bris- tol National Bank, and Bristol Brass & Clock Co. For many years Mr. Mitchell has been a most de- vout, generous, efficient and beloved member of the Bristol Baptist Church, having again and again been appointed to its highest office. His interest in his church is absolutely tireless, and it holds the very first place in his love. His genuine Christi- anity is the most marked characteristic of the man, and it is of that broad nature which enters into help- ful sympathy with every phase of true Christian enterprise and philanthropic endeavor.

On Oct. 22, 1873, Mr. Mitchell married Eva L., daughter of the late Edward L. Dunbar. The Dun- bar family is one of the oldest and most prominent families of Bristol. Mrs. Mitchell has earnestly and helpfully shared in all of Mr. Mitchell's am- bitions, but especially has she shared his love of the Bristol Baptist Church, and her devotion to it has been equal to his. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell enjoy a wide circle of intimate friends.

MILTON L. MARSH, M. D., No. 252 Main street, New Britain, Hartford county, Connecticut.

WILLIAM L. LOOMIS, town clerk, Suffield, Hartford county, Connecticut.

GEORGE L. CLARK, miller, and lumber man- ufacturer, Suffield, Hartford county, Connecticut.

OLIVER GAMERDINGER, practical manu- facturer, Poquonock, town of Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut.

ADDENDA to sketch of the late Lester Good- enough, of Bristol, which appears on page 132.

Ephraim Goodenough married Martha, daugh- ter of Thing and Elizabeth (Jimson) Ladd. Mar- tha Ladd ( mother of Lester) was descended from Daniel Ladd, who took the "oath of supremacy and allegiance to pass to New England in the Mary and John of London, Robert Sayres, master, March 24, 1633;" and who "settled first at Ipswich, next at Salisbury, and then went to Haverhill with Rev. John Ward and eleven others, and was one of the original settlers of that town."

She was also a descendant of the Hon. John Gilnian of Exeter, N. IT., "who was appointed by the Crown one of the Council for the government of the Province of New Hampshire under Pres. John 99

Cutts and Gov. Cranfield, and was later a delegate to the Assembly and Speaker of the House, and was the founder of a family which for 200 years has been among the most distinguished in the annals of the Province and the State."

LINE OF DESCENT .- Daniel Ladd came from England in 1633. Nathaniel Ladd, of Haverhill, Mass. (he married a daughter of Hon. John Gil- man) ; Nathaniel Ladd, of Exeter, N. H .; Edward Ladd, of Belmont, N. H .; Edward Ladd, of An- dover, N. H .; Thing Ladd, of Salisbury, N. H .; Martha Ladd, of Salisbury, N. H .; Lester Goode- nough, of Bristol, Connecticut.

WILLIAM FARRAND FELCH, although not a native of Hartford county, has spent the best years of his life in Hartford, and has made it his perma- nent home. He is well known in the city and state, principally as an author. He was born in Colum- bus, Ohio, coming to this city in 1885, to assume a position in the agency department of The Travel- ers Insurance Co., which he has since held accept- ably.

"Sketches of the boyhood of authors," says a recent writer, "both dead and living, are apt to possess the defect of not containing much that is worth telling about till the boy vanishes into the author, and his career as a boy ends. Later, the author rehabilitates the boy, so to speak, and invests him with a felicitous interest; but it is for older people, and not all of such have that investigating tendency which cares to go back of the vine to the grape-blossom, or look behind the cider cask for its protoplasm, the apple-seed."

Our author's boyhood was thoroughly Bohem- ian, and he began to write when he could scarcely hold a pen, which is the reason he has been able to accomplish so much. The following account of his early life possesses more than common inter- est, being written by one who was his warmest boyhood friend and schoolmate while living at Co- lumbus, Ohio, Hon. Albert Blakeslee White, now of Parkersburg, W. Va., for twenty years editor of the West Virginia Daily State Journal, and who was elected governor of West Virginia in the elec- tion of 1900, on the Republican ticket. It was written several years ago.

"The subject of this sketch is still a young man, but he has already tried, with varying success, nearly all the leading lines of literature, and has shown considerable versatility. As a farmer boy he grew to maturity, with the exception of one year in the city, where the writer formed his ac- quaintance. A similarity of tastes and aspirations developed a warm mutual friendship. In school hours he gave considerable time to composition, often to the neglect of his studies, writing on scraps of paper or old envelopes hidden in his books. At this time, while in the Salem, Ohio, high school, he wrote his first printed story, 'Brother Brand- retli,' a somewhat heterodox termination of a re-

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vival. and its distressing after-effects. On present- ing it to the editor of the leading local paper, that gentleman read it carefully and pronounced a very Mattering opinion : 'Young man, I have read your story, and I like it. I think it will do some good. In fact, "them's my sentiments." It will appear next issue.' It was the proudest moment of the young writer's life. It was, however, subsequently read by the writer before a Methodist literary so- ciety, and the 'freezing awe' with which it was re- ceived by his auditors was a sufficient index of their sentiments ; showing how tastes may differ. It was soon followed by other stories, written stealth- ily in school hours, appearing in the local press, which hence did not reach a wide circle of readers nor win him any special reputation, being written over a nom de plume.

"His penchant was, and is, evidently fiction, and previous to his twentieth birthday he had prepared stories and sketches sufficient for a large volume, which, however, was never published. These stor- ies were written with elaborate care, after classic models, 'icily regular, splendidly null,' and not at all in his later off-hand style. In later years he made more ambitious attempts. Once he had two serials running at the same time, in an eastern and a western publication, keeping close on the heels of the press, writing each installment in duplicate, and frequently obliged to write a chapter a day at 'white heat.' Since the appearance of these serials he has written little fiction, biding his time until riper years and added experience shall indicate the path he is to follow.

"Soon after this he embarked, with a theatrical friend or two, in a higher field of fiction, the drama. His first comedy had a short but eventful career of one month on the road, chiefly in Ohio; it was entitled 'Judge Slasher,' and was soon followed by 'A Titled AAmerican,' 'Mignon, the Child-wife,' and others, each an improvement on its predecessor. Several minor dramas, 'Queenie,' 'Cissy,' 'The Pet of Parson's Ranch,' followed in rapid succes- sion, on the order of 'M'liss,' written for various soubrette stars. On the principle that 'two heads are better than one,' he has preferred to write plays in collaboration with another person of experience ; lience the majority of his plays are partnership affairs. Of these, 'A Child of the Wreck,' and 'Miggles,' the prologue of the latter being founded on Bret Harte's story of the same name, the rest of the play original-and two others, 'Gettysburg, or Through Two Wars,' and 'Nobody's Child' are most prominent and promising. The Gettysburg play he intends to 'novelize' at some future time. "Although dramatic work is the most difficult field of fiction, he pursued it more for practice and development than front a real love for the stage or its belongings, and as a help in novel-writing. In incident, plot, situation, and dialogue, the drama is superior to the novel, but the reputation derived therefrom is more ephemeral. The printed page

is read years after it first appears, but the best dramas rarely hold the public favor more than a decade at the utmost. He has, however, learned much from his dramatic studies and efforts that may be put to better use in after years.

"He is more successful as a poet, and has pub- lished more than has appeared in his little book, Legends and Lyrics' ( 1882 and 1886), chief among which is 'The Legend of Little Saint Francis,' a long narrative idyl in blank verse (originally writ- ten in story form, but later, realizing its romantic and dramatic possibilities, re-written in metrical prose), a story of the days of the old missions in southern California, at the close of the last century. This is as lengthy as the combined 'Legends and Lyrics,' as printed in his book. He takes little pride in his poetry, however, despite the encourage- ment of friends, and writes only for pastime in poetical form.

"Perhaps the most graceful and touching tribute that has been paid to hiis lately published volume was that received from a young poet friend, Walter Buell, who writes clever and pleasing poems in the. intervals of journalistic work, and criticising other poets :

A thousand reams of wasted paper, A half-decade of dreary days Spent in accepting or rejecting An over-plus of commonplace, Have made me prize a glimpse of sunlight, Through clouds of mediocrity; And so, though all too slow in coming, Your little gift has been to me.

'Twas not your fault it came no sooner; 'Twas my misfortune, pray be sure; And like good wine it is for waiting, Perchance more mellow-not more pure. Pray let the vintage not be niggard; Spare not the foot-weight in the press, But, from Life's purple grapes abundant, Tread out fame, wealth, and happiness.

"Mr. E. R. Champlin, an eastern reviewer, gives, perhaps, the fittest estimate of his ability, in the fol- lowing criticism :

"'A level, critical head is indicated throughout the book. The poet seems to know himself thor- oughly, which will be recognized as something un- common in a person at the age at which he must have been when these pieces were written. He shows strength and versatility throughout; and, what is particularly pleasing in a young poet of to- day, he seems to be pervaded with a sense of rever- ence andof moral obligation. The moral and spiritual tone of his verses, not excepting the love songs, is most healthy. The natural description, the moral re- flection, the regard for the great minds in literature seem to have come from a weli-matured mind. He shows, also, what, in painter's language, is termed a sense of perspective in making up his book. The poems are proper, and none of them of a humor- ous sort, strictly; he has, therefore, placed at the front of the volume a glib and facetious Proem, which properly relieves the impression of serious,

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didactic purpose which most of the collection gives ; and which, when first read, prepares the reader pleasantly to meet what follows. His "Triad of Love Lyrics" shows him to be one of the best love verse writers of the day, far superior, in my judg- ment, to those who spoil the soul of what they at- tempt to put into verse by over-finish.' "

Mr. White concludes his biography of our author with this kindly personal tribute : "I have purposely refrained from any description of the personal ap- pearance and social qualities of the subject of this sketch, but a warm friendship of over twenty years has bound the writer to him with 'hooks of steel.' "

It may be said, in explanation, that Mr. Felch began writing prose in his earliest childhood, and diaries without end, to date ; but most of his poetry was written in 1880 and the year or two following. The book, "Legends and Lyrics," was set in type by himself, and printed in 1882; a subsequent edition, printed in 1886, dedicated to a G. A. R. fair, in Hart- ford, sold with avidity. His longest poem, "The Legend of Little Saint Francis," is soon to appear in book form. He has also had two plays published in Chicago, "The Pet of Parson's Ranch," and "Shadow Castle," which have been played all over the country, and hardly a week passes during winter seasons that he does not receive letters in regard to them from aspirants for histrionic honors. Mr. Felch next embarked in journalism, has been em- ployed on various newspapers, and knows the "ins and outs" of the craft. He was city editor of the Sunday Herald, assistant editor of the Saturday Critic, and of the Bohemian, and a constant contri- butor to the Dial, Gasette, Sunday News, Daily Ohio State Journal, Daily Dispatch, and other Col- umbus papers ; also to the Indianapolis Saturday Herald, Quincy ( Ill.) "Modern Argo," Washing- ton (D. C.) World, Chicago Graphic, Philadelphia "Easy Hour," and other papers too numerous to mention. For five years he was the accredited Co- lumbus correspondent of the New York Dramatic Mirror, New York Sunday Courier, Music and Drama, and The Mercury, attending one hundred plays on an average each winter. For two winters he conducted a bureau of legislative news, serving twenty or more Ohio papers with weekly letters during the winter, from the State Capital.

Mr. Felch wrote a "Centennial History of Ohio," which was not published in book form owing to the failure of the publisher, but was syndicated through twenty or thirty Ohio newspapers, for a period of six months. One winter, while attending college, he wrote a long book manuscript, entitled "The World's Youth; or the Infancy of Humanity"; it was not printed in book form, but parts of it have been printed in magazines, such as "Potter's Month- ly," the "Chicago Current," and " Popular Science Monthly." During his school days he set up in type and had printed "The Memorial History of the Felch Family," in five pamphlet numbers, bringing the family record down to Revolutionary times and

the compiler's grandfather. It is now a very scarce work, and the writer has only two copies left of a large edition. The above are the only works he has had published, but he has written much for maga- zines and other periodicals since, so that his entire output would probably number ten volumes.

It is as an originator and organizer of magazine publications that Mr. Felch is best known in Ohio and Connecticut, latterly. "The History of Co- lumbus, Ohio" (page 450), in an article on "The Press" by Osman C. Hooper, a leading Columbus editor, has this to say on this point :

"In 1884 W. Farrand Felch, well known by reason of his numerous contributions to Columbus newspapers and periodicals, printed a few num- bers of 'The Western Critic.' Early in 1885 Mr. Felch, Mr. James M. Kerr, and Mr. Thomas C. Harbaugh united their forces and decided to enlarge the 'Critic." They called the remodeled periodical 'The Inland Monthly,' and issued four numbers, which were excellent in typography and materials. Lack of patronage, however, forced the discontin- uance of this periodical, and soon afterward Mr. Felch went to Hartford, Conn., Mr. Kerr to Min- neapolis, and thence to Rochester, N. Y., and Mr. Harbaugh back to his home in the Miami Valley." "'The Saturday Critic' was established by Col. WV. A. Taylor in April, 1882. Col. Taylor was its proprietor. W. Farrand Felch was assistant editor." Col. Taylor subsequently became Secretary of State for Ohio. Mr. Felch was also a staff editor of the Cleveland Saturday Ledger. under Gen. Milton Barnes, ex-Secretary of State for Ohio.

After coming to Hartford Mr. Felch originated "The Connecticut Quarterly," an historical maga- zine, now "The Connecticut Magazine," its scope, trend, and general conception being his entirely ; and he continued as its editor for the first year of its existence, under adverse circumstances ; at the end of the first year he gave up the conduct of the magazine to his partner, as "there was not enough in it for two." It has changed much since, but has fairly covered the State in gathering together cer- tain historical material which would not have ap- peared elsewhere. Since then he has appeared very infrequently in print, preferring to do no more fragmentary or perfunctory work, but only such as has permanent and cumulative value, having too little leisure. He has, however, taken an active interest in the civic, social, and political affairs of IJartford, and under various noms de plume has generally been in the thickest of the fray, with a trenchant pen, notably in the Daily Times. He has recently purchased a beautiful Colonial cottage in the outskirts of Hartford, in a picturesque lo- cation, half city, half country-an ideal spot for.a literary man's home.

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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 179

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