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 29

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 29

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On June 24, 1879. Maurice E. Westcott was united in marriage with Miss Clara Eveline Clapp. of North Hampton, Mass., who was born May 31, 1855, a daughter of Merrick and Lucy ( Hasting's ) Clapp. Our subject attends the Methodist Church, of which his wife is an earnest member, and he gives liberally to its support, and is always willing to as- sist the poor and needy. In his social relations he

is connected with Wyllis Lodge No. 99, F. & A. M., of West Hartford, and Mattabessett Lodge No. 25, K. P., of East Berlin, in which he has passed all the chairs, and is at present master of finance. He is a well-read man, one who keeps thoroughly informed on the questions and issues of the day, and like his brother he is unswerving in his allegiance to the Democratic party and its principles. He always takes an active interest in political affairs in town, State and Nation, and during his residence in Po- quonock served as a member of the school board five years and assessor eight years, while he is now a member of the board of relief in Berlin. As a citizen he ever stands ready to discharge every duty devolving upon him, and has done much to advance the interests of his town and county.

ROBERT BRUCE MORRISON (deceased) was one of the honored and highly respected citi- zens of Thompsonville, and for almost half a cen- tury was one of the leading merchants of that place. In his life span of seventy-three years he accomplished much, and left behind him an hon- orable record, well worthy of perpetuation.

Mr. Morrison was born in the eastern part of Enfield town, Hartford county, Feb. 19, 1817, and was a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Thompson) Morrison. His paternal grandfather, John Morri- son, came from Boston to Enfield prior to the Revolutionary war and engaged in farming here un- til his death: his wife was Elizabeth Giffin. ? daughter of Simon Giffin, a large land holder of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Robert Morrison, our sub- ject's father, was a lifelong resident of Enfield and was also a farmer by occupation.

Robert B. Morrison, subject of this review, devoted his life to the mercantile trade, entering it as a clerk at the age of fourteen years. In 1840 he embarked in business for himself on Enfield street with H. S. Belcher, under the firm name of H. S. Belcher & Co., and six months later re- moved to Thompsonville, where they continued business together for thirteen years, or until the death of Mr. Belcher. Later Mr. Morrison formed a partnership with James Raynolds, under the firm name of Morrison & Raynolds, and when Mr. Ray- nolds retired, in 1873, our subject continued to conduct the business alone until 1886, when he also retired, after a successful business career of over forty-six years. He became connected with the Thompsonville Trust Co. at its organization, and was chosen vice-president, serving in that capacity until 1880, when he was elected president, which position he filled until his death.

Mr. Morrison was twice married, his first wife, whom he wedded Dec. 29, 1842, being Miss Clarissa King, a daughter of Col. Jabez King. To this union came one son, Robert King, born May 13, 1844, who is a resident of Nevada. Mrs. Morrison died June 5, 1844, and Dec. 16, 1847, Mr. Morrison mar- ried Miss Julia M., daughter of Peter and Anna (Terry) Raynolds, of Enfield. To them were born

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eight children: Ella, who became the wife of Will- iam Campbell, and is now deceased; Charles H., deceased ; Frank B., of Thompsonville ; George W., deceased ; James R., deceased ; Anna E .; Clara L .. deceased ; and Mary L. Mrs. Morrison's paternal grandfather was Samuel Raynolds, a resident of Enfield, and a son of Rev. Peter Raynolds, a Con- gregational minister, who was connected with the church in Enfield for the long period of forty-three years.

In religious faith Mr. Morrison was an Episco- palian, and served as vestryman of his church. He held numerous town offices, represented Enfield in the Legislature several terms, and gave his support to all worthy enterprises for the good of the con- munity. Politically he was a stanch Democrat. He passed away Sept. 28, 1890, after a life of indus- try, and rich in those rare possessions which only a high character can give. In business dealings he was upright and honorable, and he was faithful to his church, to his country and to his friends, and in his home was an exemplary husband and father.

BENJAMIN SHELDON, deacon of the West Suffield Congregational Church and a highly re- spected citizen of that place, was born Jan. 6, 1831, on the farm on which he still resides in West Suffield, on the line of East Granby, and is a de- scendant of Capt. Jonathan Sheldon, the founder of the family in Suffield.

Capt. Jonathan Sheldon, son of Isaac and Me- hetabel Sheldon, was born at Northampton, Mass., May 29, 1687, and married Mary, daughter of Will- iam Southwell, of Northampton. Dec. 30, 1708. Eight children were born to them at Northampton. In 1723-24 he removed to Suffield, Conn., settling in the west precinct of the town, and there two children were born to him. The records indicate that he was prominent in town and society affairs. He was a large land holder, settling five of his sons-Jonathan, Daniel, Phinehas, Elijah and Gershom-on farms (with each a house and barn) along the street-of about a mile in length-on which he lived, and which has ever since been called "Sheldon" street. A large part of this land still belongs to his lineal descendants. Capt. Shel- don died April 10, 1769; Mary, his wife, born Feb. 25, 1688, died Jan. 1I, 1768. This is inscribed on the tombstone standing at the head of their graves in the West Suffield cemetery: "Parents, Grandparents and Great-grandparents of 166."

Phinehas Sheldon, Esq., son of Capt. Jonathan Sheldon, was born in Northampton, Mass., June 27, 1717, and came to Suffield, Hartford Co., Conn., with his father and mother. Deacon Benjamin Sheldon, the subject of this sketch, is descended from him through the following named generations touching whom some interesting remarks will be made : Phinehas Sheldon was reared to farming. He first married Deborah Hathaway, June 7, 1743, and by her became the father of five children : Apphia, Deborah, Phinehas, Joseph and Benjamin. Mrs.

Deborah Sheldon died Jan. 22, 1753, and Mr. Shel- don afterward married Mrs. Ruth ( Harmon) Smith, who bore him nine children : Asaph, Lydia, Ezra, Anna, Alexander, Increase, David, Beulah and Si- lence. Phinehas Sheldon passed away Sept. 17, 1807. He served many years as a justice of the peace, and he was active during the Revolutionary war as an ardent supporter of the Colonial cause, being a member of a committee of supplies in the town of Suffield. Of his children, Alexander, the fifth by the second marriage, graduated from Yale College and became a doctor by profession. He married Miriam King, of Suffield. Settling in Montgomery county, N. Y., he became a leading politician of that State, representing his district in the State Legislature, in the Lower House, of which body he was the speaker for a session, and later served one term as representative in the lower branch of the Congress of the United States. His son, Smith Sheldon, was the founder of the Sheldon & Co. publishing house in New York City. Alex- ander Sheldon's daughter, Delia, married Clinton Jackson, and their son, Rev. Sheldon Jackson, D. D., became moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly of the United States; he had served previously as superintendent of Presbyterian mis- sions in Alaska, where he was also commissioner of education, appointed by the Government, and under the auspices of the Government, he carried out his idea of introducing reindeer into the ter- ritory.

David Sheldon, the youngest son of Phinehas by his 'second marriage, was a prominent farmer of West Suffield, and resided in the house on his farm in which he was born, and which is still standing, now occupied by Edwin J. Sheldon. David Sheldon married Betsey Hall, and both he and his wife were endowed with wonderful tenacity of life, she dying at the age of ninety years, while he survived until ninety-three years old. Their son, David Newton Sheldon, became a doctor of divinity in the Baptist Church, visited Paris, France, as an exponent of its doctrines, later visited Halifax, Nova Scotia, on a similar mission, and finally be- came president of Waterville College, of Maine. He was also an author of some repute, and his work on "Sin and Redemption" was very widely read. Late in life a change came over his religious con- viction and he became a Unitarian. His son, Henry N. Sheldon, also attained eminence, becoming a lawyer of note in Boston, Mass., and later a judge of the Supreme Court of the State. Rev. Charles M. Sheldon, of Topeka, Kans., author of "In His Steps" and other religious literature, is also a lineal descendant of Capt. Jonathan Sheldon, of Suffield, through his son, Asa, who settled in New Marlboro, Massachusetts.

Benjamin Sheldon, the youngest son of Phinehas Sheldon, by his first marriage, was born on the homestead Jan. 11, 1753, and outlived the struggle for American independence, in which he partici- pated a short time. In 1806 he built the house in

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which our subject now resides, and passed all his life on this farm, where his death occurred Sept. 23, 1815. On January 8, 1784, he married Eliza- beth King, and they became the parents of eight children, whose births and deaths are recorded as follows : Benjamin, Jan. 20, 1785, July 10, 1789; Elizabeth, Dec. 28, 1786, Oct. 3, 1838 (she married Adam Smith) ; Phinehas, Feb. 2, 1789, April 5, 1790: Diantha, Sept. 29, 1791, Oct. 23, 1825 (un- married) ; Ruby, July 31, 1793, Sept. 13, 1871 (un- married) ; Deborah, March 16, 1795, Sept, 25, 1839 (unmarried) ; Benjamin, Aug. 22, 1797, Oct. 15, 1825; and John Adams, Aug. 4, 1800, June 15, 1867. The mother of this family passed away March 20, 1825.

John Adams Sheldon, father of our subject, was born Aug. 4, 1800, on the home farm, and spent the greater part of his life on the farm now owned by his son, Deacon Benjamin Sheldon. Later he moved to the farm now owned by his grandson, Edwin J. Sheldon, where he ended his days June 15, 1867. In his early manhood he had been a Whig in politics, later became a Republican, and for two years served as selectman of the town of Suffield. On Dec. 3, 1829, he married Miss Han- nah Eliza Stevens, a daughter of Deacon Viranus Stevens, of West Suffield, and this marriage was blessed with five children: Benjamin, the subject of this sketch ; William Stevens, born Jan. 20, 1833; Mary, born Sept. 15, 1835, died March 28, 1837 ; Harriet Eliza, born June 26, 1837, died June 5, 1839; and Edwin, born May 31, 1840, died Nov. 26, 1866. The mother of these children died Oct. II, 1871, a most devout member of the Congre- gational Church, and her remains were interred, like those of the Sheldon family of West Suffield, in the cemetery at that place.

Deacon Benjamin Sheldon received a very good English education, begun in the district schools of WVest Suffield, and finished in the Connecticut Liter- ary Institute, Suffield, well known as one of the best educational institutions of the State. For four seasons after graduation he taught school in West Granby, Poquonock, and Hartford, teaching in winters and working the farm summers, as was the custom in those days, and achieving a fair reputa- tion as an instructor. He then went to Madison county, N. Y., where for two years he was em- ployed as a clerk in a mercantile house, thence re- turning, 1853, to the home farm, and after recuper- ating his somewhat impaired health he taught school again two seasons, one each in Suffield and Windsor Locks. In year 1861 he assumed the care and man- agement of the old homestead of 125 acres, which he soon owned by purchase, made some improve- ments on the place, and, after reaping a comfort- able competence through his labors in general farm- ing-he having since 1871, for conscience sake, discarded the raising of tobacco-now enjoys in dignified ease the reward of a well-spent and useful life.

Deacon Sheldon was united in marriage, in

Suffield, Sept. 3, 1859, with Miss Caroline Mather, a native of Windsor, and this marriage has been blessed with four children : (1) Charles Benjamin, who was born May 23, 1860, graduated from the Connecticut Literary Institute, and in 1882 from the State Normal School, and now manages the old home farm; he married, June 20, 1888, Lettie Aus- tin, daughter of Alfred F. Austin, and has three children: Alfred Charles, born April 20, 1893; Walter Austin, Dec. 18, 1894; and Lawrence Mather, May 12, 1897. In politics he is a Repub- lican : served on the local school board from 1887 until 1893; was elected justice of the peace in 1896; was re-elected in 1898; and stands high in the es- teem of the public generally. (2) Harriet Eliza, who was born Sept. 20, 1861, died July 22, 1889. (3) Sarah Jane was born Dec. 5, 1863, is now the wife of Edwin S. Seymour, of Suffield, and is the mother of five children: Harriet Esther, Carrie May, Mary Emma, Ruby Sheldon and Frances Mather. (4) John Adams, who was born May 5, 1867, died Sept. 9, 1889. After nearly thirty happy years of married life, Mrs. Caroline Sheldon passed away Feb. 15, 1889, and two children were called away the same year, a sad affliction, indeed, to the bereaved husband and father.

In politics Deacon Benjamin Sheldon was first a Whig, later becoming a Republican, and by the latter party was nominated as a candidate for the State Legislature, but, owing to the immaturity at that time of the later powerful factor in the politics and government of the nation, he was defeated at the polls. In 1884 he became a Prohibitionist for conscience sake, and, though claiming to be inde- pendent in politics, and belonging to no party, has for the most part ever since worked in the interests of this party, by which he was also nominated for the State Legislature ; however, owing to the same con- dition of affairs that had existed when he was the candidate of the Republican party, he again failed on election day. In 1864 he was selected by the members of the Congregational Church of West Suffield as deacon, and since 1866 has been treasurer of the ecclesiastical society connected with the Con- gregational Church. He has, in fact, been an ardent and active church worker all his days, has been Sunday-school teacher and superintendent, and in every office he has been called upon to fill has served faithfully and satisfactorily. The Deacon is well read in Biblical and modern history. He is of a kind and genial disposition, and is respected by his fellow citizens of all classes.

HON. THOMAS DOWD (deceased) was an honor to his race in his day, was a leader among men and was frequently intrusted with positions of trust and responsibility by his fellow townsmen, and when the end of his useful life occurred left the rich inheritance of an untarnished name to his surviving family. He was a descendant in the eighth generation from Henry Dowd, who came from Guilford, County of Surrey, England, in 1639,

The Food

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with a colony under Rev. Henry Whitfield, and set- tled in Guilford, Connecticut.

Eleazer Dowd, father of Thomas, was a son of Cornwell Dowd, and was born in Middletown, Conn., where he learned the trade of blacksmith- ing. Later he moved to Wethersfield, where he fol- lowed his trade for many years, and afterward to Springfield, Mass., dying there at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ellsworth Chapin. Eleazer Dowd married Laura Cornwell, and their union was crowned with eight children : Laura, born in 1812, was first married to Henry Cook, later to Judge Elisha Sill, and lived in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; E. Gaylord, born Aug. 8, 1814, married Olive M. Wells, and was a carriagemaker in Wethersfield and later in Hartford, where he died March 28, 1899, the last of the family; Henry, born in 1816, was a tinner by trade, but later a hotel keeper in Cuya- hoga Falls, Ohio, married Maria Pease, and died in Norwich, Conn., in 1877 ; Thomas, the subject of this sketch, was born Sept. 3, 1818; Martha, born in 1821, married Oliver Woodworth, who owned paper mills in Waterford, but resided in New Lon- don, which city was his home; Mary, born in 1822, died in 1827; Horace, born in 1825, married La- vinia White, and died in 1883 in Norwich ; and Mary, born in 1831, was married to Ellsworth Chapin, of Springfield, Massachusetts.

Thomas Dowd, the subject proper of this mem- oir, was born in Middletown, Conn., was educated in the common schools of that city, and when a young man came to Hartford, where for a number of years he was employed as a bookkeeper by Isaac Hills & Sons, grocers on State street. On quitting this employ he for a short time carried on a grocery on his own account, and later entered the employ of Joseph S. Woodruff, who kept a meat market in the city hall, at the same time managing his farm in East Hartford.

Thomas Dowd was most happily united in mar- riage, in 1839, with Miss Nancy Williams, who was born Oct. 21, 1815, a daughter of Ezra and Nancy (Hills) Williams. These two families-the Will- iams and the Hills-were among the early pioneers of the town of East Hartford, and the farm on which Mr. Dowd lived and died and which is now occupied by his descendants, was purchased front the Indians by an early member of the Williams family. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Dowd came five children: Arthur H., born in 1840, died in 1844: Anna Josephine is now living on the home- stead ; Louisa W. is also at home; T. Winthrop is unmarried and living in Sullivan county, N. Y .; and Clara A. is the wife of Alfred C. Howe, a native of Shelbourne Falls, who is now managing the Dowd estate (to this marriage two children have been born, Louise Nancy, on Nov. 5, 1896, and Eleanor J. V., on Nov. 6, 1899) .

Mr. Dowd was a Republican in politics, and represented his town in the State Legislature in 1861, just at the opening of the war of the Rebel- lion. He was very patriotic, and although he did

not serve in the war he recruited soldiers, paid them their bounties and assisted all he could at home, and was the prime mover in causing the erection of the soldiers' monument at East Hart- ford and in collecting the money for that purpose. During his early manhood he was a member of the Light Guards under Col. (afterward Gov.) Sey- mour. Mr. Dowd was elected town treasurer in 1865, and served five terms ; served as assessor and later as tax collector, and was registrar of electors at the time of his death, a position he had held from its creation in 1868. He was diligent, faithful and efficient in every position he held. Fraternally he was a member of the Odd Fellows, and was captain of Putnam Phalanx, of Hartford, commanding the first company eight years ; he commanded the Phalanx on the occasion of the battalion's pilgrim- age to the Nathan Hale monument, in South Cov- entry, several years ago. He was on the major's staff for seven years. Mr. Dowd's death took place Feb. 21, 1888; he had enjoyed good health nearly all his life. He was followed to the grave by his widow Dec. 20, 1893, and their remains were in- terred at East Hartford. Mr. Dowd had an ex- tensive acquaintance, and was greatly respected for his many sterling qualities, his family sharing this honorable position. Mr. Dowd was prominently identified with the establishment of the Hockanun Ecclesiastical Society, and did much to contribute to its well-being.

PHILO ANDREWS. The Andrews family is of good old Colonial stock, and the subject of this sketch, a prominent resident of New Britain, is of the eighth generation in descent from John An- drews, an early settler at Farmington, or, as the old records have it, "ffarmingtowne." This worthy pioneer became one of the eighty-four original pro- prietors of that town, which was at one time known as Tunxis, from the tribe of Indians located there. His homestead was situated about two miles north of the present village, on the east side of the river, near the canal aqueduct built in 1825. His wife Mary, and three sons and one daughter, united with the Congregational Church in Farmington on April 2. 1654, and on May 9, 1658, the name of John An- drews was added to the list of members.

(II) Joseph Andrews, fourth son of the pioneer, was born at Farmington May 26, 1651, and was baptized there in April, 1654. About 1677 he mar- ried, his first wife's name being Rebecca, and their homestead was located about the center of Newing- ton, then a part of Wethersfield. His name appears on the tax-list of Wethersfield in 1693. The first record found concerning his real estate is of a vote of the town, March 19, 1683. or '84, by which he was given a small piece of land, near his mill, upon which he built a house and barn. To this property he seems to have added from time to time, as the "Andrews Memorial," an interesting history of the family, states that he became an extensive land holder. At the time of his death, which occurred

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April 27, 1706, he was regarded as one of the repre - sentative men of the town.

(III) Dr. Joseph Andrews, eldest son of Joseph (II), was born in 1678, and died Jan. 18, 1756. He was a successful physician of the parish of New- ington, Wethersfield, and is mentioned in the public records of "Dr. Joseph Andrus." He left an estate valued at £180, 9s, 8d, and seems to have been active in religious work, taking a prominent part in the or- ganization of the church in his parish. In May, 1715, Joseph Talcott and Aaron Cook were ap- pointed by the General Court as a committee to fix a location for the "meeting-house" to be built by the Society, and they chose a site within thirty rods of the Doctor's residence. On Nov. 18, 1706, Dr. An- drews married Sarah Curtis, of Southold, L. I., who died May 23, 1760.

(IV) Elijah Andrews, third son of Dr. Joseph, was born Feb. 16, 1719, and died of cancer Sept. 3, 1792. On Feb. 21, 1745, he married Phoebe Hurl. burt, who died Nov. 13, 1772. Tradition says that he resided on Wolcott Hill, north of the present brick school house.

(V) Elijah Andrews, Jr., third son of Elijah (IV), was born at Newington Oct. 16, 1752, and was baptized Oct. 21, of that year. He became a tanner and shoemaker, learning the business with Deacon Timothy Stanley, of New Britain, and by his industry gained a fair competence. His disposi- tion was kind and his manner courteous, while his conscientious piety won him the respect of all who knew him. He died at his home on the Farming- ton road, near Bass river bridge, on Nov. 24, 1839. aged eighty-seven years. On March 2, 1775, he married Rachel Gridley, who was born Nov. 10, 1753, daughter of Ebenezer and Azuba (Orvis) Gridley, of Kensington and Farmington, and died Oct. 20, 1836, when she was aged eighty-three. They reared a large family of children, and accord- ing to the "Andrews Memorial" all "were remark- ably fine-looking when grown to maturity."

(VI) Ebenezer Andrews, second son of Elijah and Rachel (Gridley) Andrews, and the grand- father of our subject, was born Dec. 24, 1778, and baptized July 7. 1793, by John Smalley, D. D., then pastor of the Congregational Church of New Brit- ain. He learned the carpenter's trade with Deacon John Osgood, of New Britain, and followed it suc- cessfully for many years. He was a man of amiable disposition, modest and unassuming, and was uni- versally respected. He served in the militia, hold- ing rank as an officer, and on Oct. 6, 1811, he united with the First Congregational Church at New Brit- ain. In October, 1800, he married Miss Mary Gris- wold, who was born in 1783, daughter of Ashbel and Elizabeth (Woodruff) Griswold, and he re- sided on the main road between New Britain and Farmington, at the old Griswold homestead, which he bought and improved. He died Aug. 5, 1827, and his widow died Oct. 18, 1858, in Rochester, New York.

(VII) Philo Andrews, our subject's father, and

the third son of Ebenezer (VI), was born May 8, 1806, and died Dec. 20, 1831. He married Miss Amelia Kelsey, who was born April 20, 1807, daugh- ter of Samuel Kelsey, of Kensington, this county, and for some years after his marriage resided at the Kelsey homestead. By occupation he was a shoemaker, his shop being located on the home- stead, and as his means increased he bought a farm north of the Kelsey property. He was a man of fine appearance and much ability, but his death, at the age of twenty-five, cut short a promising career. His wife, who died May 7, 1871, at the age of sixty- four, was active in religious work as a member of the Methodist Church at New Britain. They had two sons, Samuel Kelsey and Philo, our subject. Samuel Kelsey Andrews, born Sept. 18, 1829, in- herited with our subject the Kelsey homestead from his mother, and the growth of the city in that direc- tion made it very valuable property. Although of a retiring disposition, he was a respected citizen of. his town, his excellent judgment in business and other affairs being fully recognized. Politically he was a Democrat, and while he never sought office, he served at one time on the local board of relief. His death occurred Feb. 6, 1872.

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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 29

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