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 22

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 22

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Socially Mr. Graham is affiliated with Evening Star Lodge No. 101, F. & A. M., and with his wife is a member of the Congregational Church of Union- ville. He has served his fellow citizens as justice of the peace and as a member of the board of relief. He has always made the most of his opportunities. and his life illustrates what can be accomplished through industry, perseverance, good management and a determination to succeed. By his straight- forward, honorable course, he has also won the public confidence and the high regard of his fellow citizens.

JAMES WOOD. Among the influential men- bers of the farming community of West Suffield, and one of its most prosperous citizens, is the gen- tleman whose name introduces this sketch. He is entirely a self-made man in the truest sense of the word, having been the only architect of his own fortunes, and he has raised himself from humble cir- cumstances to a position of affluence, aided only by his own strong arms, indomitable energy and laud- able ambition.

Mr. Wood was born Aug. 7, 1829, on the banks of the Thames, in the County of Kent, England, and is a son of Richard and Mary ( Knowles) Wood. who spent their entire lives there. In their family were six children: John, who died in Bloom- field, Conn .; George, who died in Southwick, Mass .; Catharine, and Mary, who both died in England ; Richard, who died in Somers, Conn .; and James, our subject.

As his parents were poor, Mr. Wood had no educational advantages, and at the tender age of eight years began working as a farm laborer, re- ceiving but small wages even after becoming able to do a man's work. He was employed in that capacity until he was nineteen, when he determined to try his fortune in the New World, where he be- lieved that better opportunities were afforded am- bitious and industrious young men. Bidding good- bye to their aged parents, he and his brother Rich- ard went to Liverpool and took passage on the sailing vessel "Ocean Queen," the brother advanc- ing the money to pay for the same. After six weeks spent upon the water, they landed in Boston, and proceeded at once to Springfield, Mass. The following day our subject came to Suffield, Conn., where he found employment with Col. Simon Ken- dlall, as a farm hand, and during the two years he remained with that gentleman he worked for eight dollars per month during the summer season, and attended school through the winter, doing the chores

for his board. The following two years he spent with Seth King. Both employers he served faith- fully and well, and they became his lifelong friends and benefactors. From his wages he saved $400 which he invested in sixteen acres of land, Mr. King assisting him in paying for the same. After operating it for six months and cutting most of the timber from the land, he sold the place for twenty- five dollars more than he paid for it. His next purchase consisted of forty acres of land in Aga- wam, Mass., where he spent one year, and on sell- ing out returned to Suffield where he bought twenty acres known as the William Pomeroy farm. There he made his home for sixteen years, engaged in general farming, tobacco raising, lumbering. quarrying stone, and other occupations by which he could earn an honest dollar. In this way he was able to save enough to purchase a much larger farm, and bought his present place of seventy-five acres, known as the Granger farm, upon which he has now resided for twenty-eight years. He has spent $4.000 in improvements upon the place. in- cluding the erection of tobacco sheds and the put- ting of a stone basement under his barn.

In Suffield, Mr. Wood was married, in 1853. to Miss Sophia Lester, a daughter of Milton Lester, and to them were born seven children: Silas L., a farmer; Luella J., wife of Calvin Feelen, of Suffield; Martha, Henry and Mary, who all died young ; Arthur H., a farmer ; and James E., a resi- dent of Suffield. The wife and mother, who was a faithful member of the Baptist Church, died in 1885, and was laid to rest near the First Baptist Church at Zion's Hill. Mr. Wood was again mar- ried, in 1895, his second union being with Mrs. Jane E. (Lemon) Taylor, widow of Edwin Taylor, and daughter of James Lemon. She was born in Belchertown, Mass. Politically Mr. Wood is identi- fied with the Republican party, and religiously is a member of the Baptist Church. In all the relations of life he has been found true and faithful to every trust reposed in him, and he has a large circle of friends and acquaintances who esteem him highly.

NORTON ABBE, an enterprising and promi- nent farmer of Enfield, was born Nov. 2, 1825, on the old Abbe homestead in that town, which he now occupies, a son of Levi and Dorcas ( Wolcott) Abbe, natives of Enfield and East Windsor, re- spectively.

Mr. Abbe's paternal grandparents were Daniel and Salla ( P'ease) Abbe, the former born Nov. 7. 1750. and his wife on Dec. 2. 1757. Daniel AAbbe wis a large landowner, and left each of his surviving children a competency. They were: Daniel, Jr., Timothy, Levi. Sally P. ( Mrs. Luther Allen) ; George (1). George(2), Harris, Erastus and Stoddard. The great-grandfather of our subject was Jolin Abbe, son of Thomas, the progenitor of this branch of the Abbe family in this locality, where he settled about 1725. Thomas was a son of John

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Abbe, a native of Maryland, of Huguenot stock, who was among the pioneers of Wrentham, Massachu- setts.

Levi Abbe, father of our subject, inherited the homestead now occupied by our subject. He was a prominent farmer, and lived and died on the homestead. His children were Marionette (Mrs. Seth Phelps), Dorcas ( Mrs. Rufus Parsons), Salla (Mrs. George King), Wolcott, Pease, Mary A. (Mrs. George Barber), Daniel, Harriet, Gilbert, Maria (Mrs. Albert Abbe), and Norton, our sub- ject, now the sole survivor of the family.

Norton Abbe has always resided on the old homestead, where he was born and reared, and is a progressive farmer. He married, Nov. 27, 1856, Eliza Turvey, a native of England, daughter of William and Sarah (Ma .___ ell) Turvey. She bore him four sons, Edwin W., Albert N., Herbert A. and Levi P. Mr. and Mrs. Abbe are members of the First Congregational Church of Enfield. He is also a member of the church committee, and was formerly superintendent of the Sabbath-school. Politically he is a Republican.

JOHN P. JONES, now a prosperous farmer of the town of South Windsor, is a representative of one of the old Hartford county families. He is of the fifth generation in descent from Nathaniel Jones, who about 1714, migrated from the Colony of Massachusetts and settled upon a farm in Hart- ford county, Conn., the line being traced as fol- lows: (2) John; (3) Nathaniel; (4) John P .; and (5) John P., our subject. Nathaniel Jones, the grandfather, was a teamster in the Revolutionary army, he being at that time sixteen years old. He resided on what is now State street, east of Front street, Hartford, that thoroughfare not having been opened through the farm from Front street to the river until 1801.

John P. Jones, the father of our subject, was born in Hartford in 1791. Until his death, in 1880, one of his most pleasant memories was that as a child of seven years, in 1798, he saw Gen. Wash- ington at Hartford. He became a soldier in the war of 1812. He engaged in farming upon the ancestral home in Hartford for a few years, after which he engaged in the retail grocery and oyster business, in Hartford, continuing same about thirty years. In 1847 he moved to the farm in South Windsor, six and one-half miles distant from Hart- ford, and there remained until his death, at the ripe age of eighty-nine years. He was a man of prominence, and held various public offices. Mr. jones married Lucy E. Pratt, who died in 1878, aged seventy-seven years. To this union were born eight children: Mary, who died in December, 1843; Martha, who resides with our subject; John P. : Oliver, a farmer and tobacco grower of South Windsor; Nathaniel, also a farmer and tobacco grower of South Windsor; Jane E., living with our subject ; and Lucy and James, deceased.

John P. Jones was born in Hartford May 15,

1832, and was about fifteen years old when he came with his father from Hartford to South Windsor. He was educated at what was known as the Cen- ter school house, which stood on the site of the store in Hartford now occupied in part by Fred- erick Ellsworth. Since coming to South Windsor, more than a half century ago, he has ever since continued to reside there, engaged in general farm- ing and tobacco growing.

Mr. Jones has at various times been called upon to fill public office. He is a Democrat in politics, and in 1882 was elected on the ticket of that party to the State Legislature. He was in 1881 elected selectman of South Windsor; has for three years filled the office of assessor ; and for two years was a member of the board of relief. He is an indus- trious and successful farmer, held in high esteem by the community in which he lives.

HON. GEORGE FITCH KENDALL, State Senator from the Third District of Connecticut, is descended from several of the oldest and most in- fluential families of the State, and his high ideal of citizenship is worthy of his ancestry. As a business man he has shown enterprise and sound judgment, but his name will be longest remembered for his efficient and faithful work in public life. No movement of any merit is projected in his town to which his influence is not given, and as a legis- lator he has identified himself with the best interests of the State at large, winning the approbation of the best people of the Commonwealth, irrespective of party.

Mr. Kendall's ancestors in the direct paternal line settled in Suffield at an early period, soon after their emigration from England. Joshua Kendall, our subject's great-grandfather, was born in Suf- field, and followed farming there throughout his life. He was an excellent citizen, and for many years was a leading member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife's maiden name was Theodosia Bronson, and they had three children: Horace, Mahala (who married Calvin Spencer), and Simon.

Simon Kendall, our subject's grandfather, was born July 29, 1785, and died March 29, 1856. He was educated in the district and select schools of Suffield, and in early manhood taught schools for some time, later engaging in farming and stock raising, his homestead comprising 200 acres of land. He took an active part in religious affairs as a member of the Baptist Church, and was a promi- nent worker in the local Democratic organization, serving as selectman. His strict views on temper- ance were unusual for that day, and he and his wife, Elizabeth Kent, were both much above the average in intelligence and culture. Of their eight children, George Fitch died in Richmond, Va .; Betsey (deceased) married Josiah W. King, of Xenia, Ohio; Rebecca, twin of Betsey, never mar- ried ; Simon B. is mentioned more fully below ; Clarissa married Edmund T. Halladay, now de- ceased, and is the mother of Hon. Edmund Halla-

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mandery No. I, K. T .; Sphinx Temple, Mystic Shrine; Lyman Council No. 35, O. U. A. M., of which he is a charter member and a past counsellor ; Gideon Granger Lodge No. 62, K. of P., at Suffield, of which he was a charter member and first chan- cellor commander, and is also a past chancellor. In 1898 he was made a member of the Grand Lodge of K. of P. at Norwich, Conn. In Washington Chap- ter No. 30, R. A. M., he has held all the offices up to that of high priest, to which he was elected, al- though he never served. Mr. Kendall and his wife are prominent members of the First Congregational Church of Suffield, and for years he has been super- intendent of the Sabbath-school. Mrs. Kendall is a member of the D. A. R., her great-grandfather, Gathelius Cowing, of Scituate, Mass., having re- sponded to the call of Paul Revere, and served from 1775 to 1781 in the Continental army.

In 1870 Mr. Kendall married Miss Julia Anna Cowing, a native of Port Jervis, N. Y., and daugh- ter of Job and Eleanor (Cowles) Cowing, of Suf- field, of whom further mention is made elsewhere. The only son of this union, Frank W., died in infancy.

HON. ALFRED W. CONVERSE. An hon- orable ambition, sustained by practical ability and unyielding energy, is a passport to success, and the records of the distinguished men of today furnish interesting illustrations of the rule. It is a pleas- ure to present to our readers such a forceful exam- ple as is found in the following biography of this successful business man and gallant soldier.

Mr. Converse is a leading resident of Windsor Locks, and belongs to an old Connecticut family, and is of the ninth generation in descent from (I) Edward Converse, born in England in 1590, died in Woburn, Mass., Aug. 10, 1663; (II) Lieut. James, born in England 1620, died in Woburn, Mass., May 10, 1715; (III) Maj. James, born in Woburn, Mass., Nov. 16, 1645, died in Woburn, Mass., July 8, 1706; (IV) Capt. Josiah, born in Woburn, Mass., Sept. 12, 1684, died in Brookfield, Mass., 1771 ; ( V) Lieut. Josiah, born in Woburn, Mass., March 10, 1710, died in Stafford, Conn., Sept. II, 1775, he being the pioneer of the family in Connecticut.

(VI) Jesse Converse, son of Josiah, the pio- neer, was born in Stafford, Sept. 1, 1745, and died there July 8, 1805 ; during the Revolutionary war he served as a soldier from that town.

(VII) Eli Converse, our subject's grandfather, was born in 'Stafford, Sept. 28, 1770, and died there Nov. 5, 1853; he followed farming there for many years.

(VIII) Hannibal Alden Converse, the father of our subject, was born April 9, 1807, at the old home in Stafford, where he grew to manhood. In 1837 he engaged in the iron foundry business in Stafford, having learned the trade at Worcester, Mass., and in 1846 he bought a foundry at Windsor Locks which he also carried on. He sold out his business in Stafford in 1854, and removed to Wind-

sor Locks, Conn., where he continued the foundry business until his death on Feb. 15, 1881. He was a man of influence, and became a leading member of the local Republican organization; while in Staf- ford he served for a time as town clerk, and later he was a selectman in the town of Windsor Locks. He was married, at Stafford, Conn., to Miss Julia A. Ferry, who died in 1890, in Windsor Locks. They had five children: Mary P., who married C. H. McMaster (both now deceased ) ; Alfred W., our subject ; Julia E. (deceased), who married Vashni Warner; Joseph H. (deceased) ; and Clare A., wife of Dr. S. R. Burnap. Joseph H. was killed at Cold Harbor June 3, 1864, while serving as inspector- general on Gen. Martindale's staff, in the 18th Army Corps, and major of the IIth Conn. V. I. He en- listed in April, 1861, and went to the front as orderly sergeant of Company C, Ist Regiment, three-months men ; soon after his discharge he en- listed in Company B, IIth Regiment, was elected second lieutenant, and rapidly rose through success- ive ranks to that of major. His memory is cher- ished by his old comrades, and G. A. R. Post No. 67, at Windsor Locks, is named in his honor. He was married, at St. Albans, Vt., to Nellie E. Fuller, now resident of Hartford, Connecticut.

Alfred W. Converse was born Aug. 1, 1835, in Stafford, and his education was begun there, but later he attended the academies at Monson and Wil- braham, Mass. He learned the trade of foundry- man in all its branches with his father, but his ca- reer was interrupted by his enlistment, on Sept. I. 1862, in Company C, 25th Regiment Conn. V. I .. which was assigned to duty in the 19th Army Corps, serving in the Department of the Gulf. He was mustered out in August, 1863, with an honorable record, having been promoted from private to ser- geant, second lieutenant and first lieutenant. While holding the latter rank he had command of the com- pany after the captain was killed. Upon his return from the army he became a member of the firm of H. A. Converse & Co., but for many years prior to the death of H. A. Converse the firm was A. W. Converse & Co., the father being the company. In 1891 our subject sold out to E. Horton & Son, and for the past twenty-four years he has been success- fully engaged in the insurance business. In 1871 the Windsor Locks Savings Bank was organized, and he served as treasurer of that institution from that time. As a member of the Legislature from Windsor Locks from 1896 to 1898 Mr. Converse did effective service, and he has frequently been called upon to fill positions of responsibility. He was ap- pointed postmaster, to fill an unexpired term: during Andrew Johnson's administration, and served by re-appointment until a year after Cleveland's first election. . He was again appointed by President Harrison, but was out during Cleveland's second administration, and is now serving under appoint- ment from President Mckinley. For fifteen years he served as town clerk, registrar and treasurer.

Mr. Converse was married, in Stafford, May 18,

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1857, to Miss Julia Orcutt, daughter of Harvey Or- cutt, a well-known resident of that town, and the following children have blessed the union: Ida G. : Alfred Harvey, deceased ; Alfred, who died at the age of thirteen years; and Myrtle B., who married Alfred Elson, Jr., of Stafford, Conn., and has had two children: Alfred C. (deceased ) and Florence C. Socially Mr. Converse and his family are highly esteemed, and he is connected with J. H. Converse Post No. 67, G. A. R. : the Army and Navy Club of the State : the Society of the Army of the Potomac : the 19th Army Corps Association ; the Connecticut Historical Society : the Sons of the American Revo- lution : Euclid Lodge No. 109, A. F. & A. M .: Washington Chapter No. 30, R. A. M .: Suffield Council No. 23, R. & S. M., Suffield ; Washington Commandery No. I, K. T., Hartford; and Sphinx Temple, Mystic Shrine.

HON. JOHN D. LUBY, a prominent represent- ative of the agricultural interests of Burlington, and one of its most progressive and influential citizens, was born in Westchester, N. Y., July 25, 1853.

James Luby, father of our subject, was a native of County Tipperary, Ireland, and a son of Michael Luby, who was born in the same county, followed the occupation of farming throughout life, and was a devout member of the Catholic Church. James Luby received only a limited education in the schools of his native land, and grew to manhood upon a farm. With the hope of bettering his financial con- dition in the new world, he bade good-bye to home and friends in 1831, and came to America on the sailing-vessel "Essex," which was eight weeks in making the voyage. He landed at New York, and in that city and at Fort Washington worked at dif- ferent occupations for twenty-two years, a part of the time being employed as a stone-mason and farmer. He next went to Westchester, N. Y., where he worked in a foundry for three years, and then came to Berlin, Hartford Co., Conn. There and at Southington he followed agricultural pursuits for three years and subsequently was similarly cm- ployed at Otis, Mass. Later he engaged in farm- ing at Bakersville, New Hartford, Litchfield Co., Conn., for four years, and in 1865 took up his resi- dence in Burlington, purchasing a farm of forty acres near Burlington Center, where he followed farming during the remainder of his life, dying there in 1885. His remains were interred in the Catholic cemetery at Collinsville. He was a consistent mem- ber of the Catholic Church, and was a good-hearted, honest and industrious man. In politics he was a Republican. In 1836, for his first wife, he wedded Margaret . Reardon, a native of County Cork, Ire- land, and four children were born to them: Nora. William, Margaret and Mary. The mother of these died at Fort Washington, in 1849, and in 1852 Mr. Luby married Miss Ann Duggan, a native of Castle- town-Roche, County Cork, Ireland, and a daughter of Thomas Duggan. She was fourteen weeks in crossing the Atlantic, on a sailing-vessel, when she

emigrated to America, landing at New York. She. too, was a faithful member of the Catholic Church, and was a devoted wife and mother. She died in Burlington in 1884, and was laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery in Collinsville. Our subject is the eldest in a family of six children, the others being: Elizabeth, wife of Edward Higginson ; James, a resident of Berlin, Conn. ; Katherine, wife of William Stretch, of Meriden, Conn; Ellen, who died in infancy ; and Ellen (2), who died at the age of three years.

John D. Luby, subject of this sketch, was edu- cated in the district schools of Burlington, and as- sisted his father in the labors of the farm, remaining under the parental roof until 1887, when he pur- chased his present place, known as the Benham farm-a tract of 250 acres on which he has since engaged in general farming, tobacco raising, dairy- ing, market gardening and also lumbering, with marked success, becoming one of the prosperous and substantial citizens of his community. He married Miss Julia Deenihan, a native of Hartford, and a daughter of Richard Deenihan, and to them have been born four children, namely: Ernest, Robert Emmet, Ann and Bessie. The family hold mem- bership in the Catholic Church.

Politically Mr. Luby is an ardent supporter of the Democratic party, and a recognized leader in its ranks. In 1893 he was elected to the State Legisla- ture, and filled that office with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He has also served as tax collector, as a member of the school board, and as constable of Burlington for twenty years. Fraternally he is a member of the Grange, and is deeply interested in public affairs and the good of the community where almost his entire life has been passed. He is genial, courteous, enter- prising and progressive, possessed of commendable public spirit and the highest integrity, and reflects credit on the community which has honored him with office.

HON. WILLIAM H. WHITEHEAD, form- erly a representative in the State Legislature from the town of Simsbury, is one of the most highly esteemed residents of that locality, and since 1890 has served continuously as first selectman. Nearly forty consecutive years of service with the Ensign Bickford Manufacturing Co., for which he is now the mechanical superintendent. bespeaks unusual trustworthiness, especially as that firm is the princi- pal one in its line in the United States, and as well known as any in the world.

Mr. Whitehead was born Jan. 30, 1837, in Derby, England, but the greater portion of his life has been spent in Simsbury. Samuel Whitehead, his father, was born and reared in Derby, and made his home there for some time after his marriage, to Miss Mary A. Wood, a native of the same place. By occupation he was a chinaware maker and deco- rator, and, hoping for better opportunities for gain- ing a livelihood than his native land afforded, he

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came to America in the spring of 1837, accompanied by his wife and infant son, William H. After a voyage of six weeks in a sailing-vessel the little party landed in New York, in July, 1837, but owing to the panic of that year the father found it diffi- cult to secure any employment. His vain search extended as far as Philadelphia, and on his return to New York he had about concluded to go back to England when he met Joseph Eels, then connected with Bacon, Bickford & Co., of Simsbury, manu- facturers of blasting fuse. Promptly accepting Mr. Eels' offer of employment at Simsbury, Mr. White- head removed to that town, where he resided many years, remaining in the employ of the same firm during his active life, and at one time was sent by them to attend to some work at the old Newgate Prison, when the prisoners were removed to Weth- ersfield. His death occurred in 1850 at Simsbury, where his mortal remains were interred, and his estimable wife, who died in 1885, now rests beside him. Early in life they both united with the Meth- odist Church, and after coming to this country they continued in active fellowship. They were much respected for their earnest Christian character, and both their sons have done credit to their training, Samuel being also a prominent resident of Simsbury.

As our subject was but six months old when he came to Simsbury his education was begun in the district schools of the town. Among his early teachers were Mary Weston, Ellen Cornish and La- vinia Goodridge, and when about fourteen years old he attended for one term a select school in West Weatogue, conducted by William L. Humison. At the age of seventeen he began to learn the machin- ist's trade with Woodruff & Beach, of Hartford, and on April 4, 1858, he completed an apprentice- ship of four years. His wages were small, rang- ing from $10 to $20 per month, and the first $100 was reserved as a guarantee of good behavior, and paid to him at the end of his term with six per cent. interest. He continued with the firm for a time, but later went to New Haven to work for W. & E. T. Fitch, and on July 1, 1860, returned to Simsbury and entered the employ of Toy, Bickford & Co., as a machinist. His faithfulness and skill soon made him invaluable to the firm, and in 1868 he was sent to Brooklyn, Alameda Co., Cal., to build another plant for them. On his return he was appointed mechanical superintendent, which position he has ever since held. His work has brought him sub- stantial returns, enabling him to accumulate a fine competence, and as a self-made man he may well take satisfaction in his high standing as a citizen. Politically he has been a Republican from his first vote, and his active interest in the party's success, together with his natural ability for political work, make him a leader in the local organization. For one year he served as a member of the town board of relief, and in 1889 he was elected to the Legisla- ture, while, as stated above, he has been the first selectman since 1890. As a member of the Meth- odist Church of Simsbury he has done much for

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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 22

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