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 37

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 37

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Mr. Bissell's life in Manchester was one of the greatest activity. He engaged extensively in build- ing operations and erected the largest business block in the village, including the hall that bore his name. A Republican in politics, he was called upon to fill the office of selectman, and in this position served six consecutive years, two as first selectman, though in his later years he withdrew from politics. After moving to East Hartford he did much toward the substantial improvement of the town and built a number of residences. He settled several estates, and no man was so frequently called to appraise property as he. He himself owned a large number of building lots and other realty in the town and elsewhere, and was thor- oughly posted as to the valuation of property. A number of years ago he foresaw the future of East Hartford's building property, and invested ad- vantageously. His sound judgment and strict integ- rity won for him a competency, and this statement is substantiated by the fact that he began his business life with but little capital, but won a standing among the most substantial residents of Hartford county.

At the time of his death Mr. Bissell was a mem- ber of the Congregational Church at East Hart-

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ford, and was up to a short time previous a men- ber of the Congregational Church at North Man- chester, with which he united when a resident of that town; he fully lived up to its teachings. His funeral services were conducted by Rev. W. B. Tuthill, pastor of the First Congregational Church, and were largely attended.

OLIVER PHELPS MILLS. The salubrious air of this section is certainly favorable to longev- ity, and the subject of this sketch, a highly-es- teemed resident of the town of Windsor, is one of many who can bear testimony to the fact, more than threescore and ten years having passed over his head without impairing his health or clouding his jovial, genial nature. His long and useful life has won him many friends, and the following his- tory will be read with more than usual interest.

Mr. Mills was born Jan. 2, 1827, in the same house which he now occupies as a residence, and his ancestors were prominent among the pioneer farmers of the county. Deacon Elijah Mills, his grandfather, was born in Bloomfield, but removed to Windsor in early manhood, and for one year was employed by Daniel Talcott, receiving ninety- six dollars. Later he engaged in business on his own account, as a brickmaker and farmer, and through his thrift and enterprise he accumulated a comfortable competence. He was a man of av- erage size and weight, and was industrious in his habits. As a citizen he was much respected, and his interest in all political affairs of his time led to his support of the Federal party. He was accident- ally killed in 1831, at the age of seventy years, while hauling wood from the forest, the load having fallen off and thrown him under a cart wheel, which ran over his body. He was married, in Windsor, to Huldah Drake, who survived him some years, and they had eight children: Oliver was killed in boy- hood by a kick from a horse, while leading it from the stable; Alathina married Frederick Mills, of Bloomfield, and died in the "Black River country," New York State; Huldah married (first) Horace Turner, of Hartford, and ( second) Roswell Marsh, of New Hartford; Samuel W. is a resident of Windsor town, this county; Laura married Rev. Ebenezer Latimer, a Methodist clergyman, both now deceased; Oliver W., our subject's father, is mentioned more fully below; Timothy D., a very ingenius man and natural mechanic, who resided in Windsor, died fifty or more years ago (he mar- ried Sarah Wells, of Wethersfield, who now lives in Hartford, at the age of ninety-three years) ; Julia A., who died in Hartford, married (first) Trumbull Hubbard, of Bloomfield, and ( second) Henry Goodwin, of New Hartford, Connecticut.

. Oliver W. Mills was born in Windsor in July, 1796, and became a successful agriculturist, making his home at our subject's present farm, where he died July 3, 1866. He made many improvements on the place, erecting all the buildings, and was interested in tobacco raising to some extent, while for many years he also conducted a brick yard, his

efforts being rewarded by substantial success. While he never sought official honors he was ac- tive in local politics, first as a Whig and later as a Republican, and his opinion on all subjects was respected among his associates. In early life he was a Congregationalist, afterward uniting with the Episcopal Church, and when St. Gabriel's church was built in Windsor he made a liberal contribu- tion to the work. For many years he served as vestryman. Whatever the weather might be he never failed to drive to church, as he was a most rigid observer of the Sabbath. On Feb. 23, 1825, Mr. Mills married Miss Annie Theresa Phelps, who was born in 1804, on "the Island," in Windsor town, and died June 30, 1896, aged ninety-two years. Our subject was the eldest of their five children. Helen A., born Oct. 30, 1828, was married, May 12, 1853, to Nathan F. Drake, whom she survives, now residing in Hartford. Mary A., born Sept. 27, 1835, married Daniel Mason, and lives in Union- ville, Conn. Alfred W., born May 5, 1838, is a resident of Charlton City, Mass. Arthur M., born March 7, 1845, was in Canada when last heard from.

Oliver P. Mills attended the "brick school" in District No. I, of Windsor, and has a good word for the efficiency and thoroughness of the methods of instruction then in force. He also spent two winters in study at the high school in Amherst, Mass., and two in Williston Seminary, at East- hampton, Mass. His vacations were spent at home, where he assisted his father in farming and brick- making, and on leaving school he was employed by his father for a time. In February, 1849, he started for California with Oliver M. Drake, a neighbor, and others from this section, and at New York they shipped aboard the "Henry Lee" for the trip around Cape Horn. The voyage lasted seven months, a head wind at the Cape delaying them at that point for six weeks. On landing in San Francisco he engaged in mining operations, but as he did not meet with success he went to Sacramento, where he found employment at ten dollars a day with a Mr. Schwartz, a German ranchman, his skill as an ox driver proving to be an advantage to him in securing the place. He would have remained, but John Lattimer, a member of his party from Bloomfield, was threatened with fever, and requested him to return home with him. As they were warm friends Mr. Mills gave up his position temporarily, as he supposed, and came back, taking the Panama route, but as his parents objected to his going so far from home again he finally decided to stay near them, and engaged in the meat business near New Hartford, doing his own butchering; after a year he sold out, as a partnership upon which he had entered had proven unsatisfactory. For about fourteen years follow- ing he was in a similar business on his own ac- count, and during that time he bought a farmn near New Hartford, which he conducted in connection with his other work. In 1864 he removed to the town of Windsor, where he rented a farm, and

Of Mills

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in 1867 he purchased his father's old homestead, where he has since resided. As a general farmer he is notably successful, also carrying on a profit- ably dairy business, and is well known as a dealer in cattle. He still attends to the duties of his farm, and is remarkably active for a man of his years. Politically Mr. Mills is an ardent Republican, and for some time he held the office of justice of the peace. In religious faith he is a Congregationalist, and as a chairman of the church committee and credential committee he has been active in the af- fairs of the society at Windsor.

On May 3, 1859, Mr. Mills was married, at Windsor, to Miss Sarah E. Loomis, and three chil- dren have blessed the union: Annie E., born Nov. 9, 1863, married Theo E. Phelps, of Omaha, Neb .; Oliver W., born April 10, 1867, resides at the home place ; and Charles H., born July 26, 1873, is also residing at home.

Mrs. Mills passed away Dec. 19, 1899, at the age of sixty-five years, after a short illness from pneumonia. She was a most estimable woman, and her husband takes pride in acknowledging the fact that her advice and aid were of great assist- ance to him in his career. She was born April 7, 1834, daughter of Collins and Sally (Capen) Loomis, well-known residents of Windsor, of whom an account appears elsewhere, he being a noted blacksmith. Her education was obtained in part at the Bell school, in part at Mr. Woodford's private school in Windsor, and later she learned mil- linery at Hartford, where she was employed for several years previous to her marriage as a clerk in a millinery establishment.

JOHN HEMINGWAY, who is now success- fully engaged in the insurance and real-estate busi- ness in Southington, was born in that town Feb. 27, 1842, a son of Ruel and Mary Ann (Dudley ) Hem- ingway.

The father, a farmer by occupation, was born in 1812, and spent almost his entire life in Southing- ton, where he died in 1863. He was a son of Abi- hua Hemingway, in early life a farmer and oyster- man of East Haven, who prior to 1815 removed by ox-team from that place to Southington and there died. Our subject's maternal grandfather, Elias Dudley, was a stone-cutter bv trade, and a resident of Cheshire, Conn., where his death occurred. He married Laura Preston, daughter of Titus and Abi- gail (Merriman) Preston, of Wallingford. His parents were Jedediah and Lois ( Merriman) Dud- ley, also residents of Wallingford, the former a native of England, and a farmer by occupation.

John Hemingway was reared in Southington, and educated in its public schools and Lewis Acad- emy. After attaining his majority (1863) he en- tered the United States service, in New Haven, and served as commissary clerk, procuring the supplies for from 500 to 800 soldiers. During this year his father died, and Mr. Hemingway returned to South- ington and took charge of the farm left him, which

he afterward sold. In 1868 he went to New Haven as shipping clerk for Blair & Dudley, having an in- terest in the business, and when in January, 1860, the firm opened a store in New York Mr. Heming- way became connected with that branch of the busi- ness until July, 1870 ; he then returned to Southing- ton, and built his present residence. In 1871 he was appointed collecter of taxes by the selectmen, and was elected by the people to that office for the eight succeeding terms. Since 1872 he has been in- terested in the fire-insurance business, and is now representing twenty-four of the leading companies of the world. He also deals in real estate in South- ington and vicinity, and in his undertakings is meet- ing with good success. In 1882 he was associated with the late R. A. Neal and Samuel Pratt in the organization of a National Bank in Southington, and obtained the charter, solicited subscriptions, and collected in the first installments of nearly one hun- dred thousand dollars before the cashier was se- cured, and he was a director up to 1890. He is also a director of the Middlesex Mutual Assurance Co., of Middletown, Conn., and at present is president of the board of fire commissioners.

Mr. Hemingway has been twice married, and by the first union has two daughters, Rosalind and Jennie. His present wife was in her maidenhood Miss Lanette O. Woodruff, a daughter of Ard and Orpha A. (Cowles) Woodruff. She is a repre- sentative of an old Southington family, and is a member of Hannah Woodruff Chapter, D. A. R. Fraternally Mr. Hemingway is connected with Friendship Lodge No. 33, F. & A. M., and Unity Council No. 11, O. U. A. M. ; politically he is identi- fied with the Republican party. In 1880 he was appointed postmaster at Southington by President Hayes, was re-appointed in 1884 by President Ar- thur, and filled the office for eight years and five weeks with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the general public. In 1888 he was elected a representative from the town to the General As- sembly, and served on the committee on Insurance, as clerk. For the past five years he has been a member of the board of wardens and burgesses of Southington, and he is now (1900) serving as superintendent of streets.

WILLIAM WARNER, a substantial citizen and prominent agriculturist of South Glastonbury, where for more than thirty-five years he has been engaged in his chosen vocation, is widely and favor- ably known throughout his section of the country. Mr. Warner is descended from a sturdy New Eng- land ancestry in both paternal and maternal lines, who by marriage were allied with some of the old- est and most prominent families of Hartford coun- ty, among them being the Robbins, the Boardmans and the Hales.

(I) William Warner, the emigrant ancestor of this branch of the family, was born Oct. 20, 1594, in Boxted, county of Essex, England, a son of Sam- tel Warner. He came to America and settled in

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Ipswich, Colony of Massachusetts, in 1637, and died there in 1648. From this first American an- cestor our subject is in the eighth generation, his line of descent being through Daniel, William, Daniel (2), William (3), John and Levi Warner; while on his mother's side he is descended from Isaac Larkin, who was born in Boston, Mass., and settled in Wethersfield, Conn., in 1745.

(11) Daniel Warner, son of William the emi- grant, born in England, in 1618, married Elizabeth Denner. He died at Ipswich, Mass., in 1688, and she passed away in 1659.

(111) William Warner (2), son of Daniel, born in 1646, at Ipswich, Mass., married, in 1667, Han- nah Robbins. He located in Wethersfield, Conn., in 1660, and died in 1713 or 1714. His wife died in 1714. He bore the titles of deacon and lieutenant, and served as deputy to the General Assembly for Wethersfield in 1697, 1700, 1703, 1704, 1706, 1708, 1709, 1710.

(IV) Daniel Warner (2), son of William (2), born in 1680, in Wethersfield, married in 1706, Mary Boardman, born in 1683.

(V) William Warner (3), son of Daniel (2), born in 1715, married in 1752, Prudence May, born in 1726.

(VI) John Warner, son of William (3), born in 1762, in Wethersfield, married in 1784, Abigail Hale, who died in 1840. He died in 1838. He was a farmer throughout life. His children were : Joh:1, married Rebecca Coleman, and was a farmer in the southern part of Wethersfield; Prudence married George Coleman, a farmer, and lived and died in Wethersfield; Abigail married Oliver Wells, a farmer, and lived in Wethersfield, where both died ; Clarissa married Chauncey Wells, a farmer, and lived in Wethersfield; and Levi, who was the fa- ther of the subject of this sketch, is referred to in the following.

(VII) Levi Warner was born Dec. 22, 1800, in Wethersfield. His father was a large farmer, and young Levi was reared on the farm, and re- mained occupied in rural pursuits throughout his life time. He married, in 1822, Sarah Larkin, who was born Aug. 25, 1803, in Wethersfield, where she clied April 13, 1887. He died Oct. 11, 1872. Their children were: (1) Mary Warner, born Aug. 25, 1823, married May 15, 1850, Sylvester Seymour, a farmer. (2) William Warner, our subject, born Aug. 16, 1825, is referred to farther on.

(3) Samuel L. Warner was born June 14, 1828, at Wethersfield. After having completed the course in the common schools in his native village, he went through a preparatory school. He taught school for four years in his early life, and subse- quently studied law with Judge Matson, of Hart- ford, after which he entered Yale Law School. He completed his course by a two-years' stay at the Harvard Law School, and in 1854 was admitted to the Bar in Suffolk, Mass. He returned to Hart- ford, intending to practice law in that city, but through the influence of Gov. Seymour he obtained

the appointment of executive secretary to Gov. Pond. Gov. Pond was taken ill, and the duties of the office devolved upon Mr. Warner, who dis- charged them with great credit. In the spring of 1854 hie removed to the town of l'ortland, Conn., and commenced the practice of law. His increased business made it necessary for him to open an office in Middletown, where he afterward resided and made a reputation for himself. In his earlier days of practice the best talent of the, State was repre- sented at Middletown court, and he had occasion to come into contact with such men as Hon. Charles J. McCurdy, Hon. William D. Shipman, Hon. L. S. Foster, Hon. Isaac Toucey, R. G. Baldwin, Heury Dutton, Charles Chapman, Thomas C. Perkins, and others of like celebrity. Mr. Warner's application to and study of his cases soon made him proficient and successful in his practice. His continued suc- cess made him popular with the people, and in 1862 he was elected mayor of the city, an office he held four years. It was chiefly owing to his labors that the present system of water works were established and placed on a substantial basis. In 1858, during his residence in Portland, he represented that town in the State Legislature. At the close of his terni as mayor of Middletown he was nominated for Con- gress, but was defeated by his opponent, Gov. Eng- lish. The following term he again received the nomination of the Republican party, and was elected by a large majority. In 1865 the Republicans again honored him with the nomination, but he declined to accept. He was a member and one of the secre- taries of the convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln for President for a second term. In 1861 Mr. Warner purchased the Nehemiah Hubbard homestead on Main stret, Middletown, where he re- sided up to the time of his death. It has been said by some of the judges of the Supreme Court of Errors that none of the briefs submitted to them showed more or better preparation than his. In his examination of witnesses he was always severe, and if he became convinced of the untruthfulness of a witness he spared him not at all, but often caused him humiliation and confusion by a pitiless examina- tion that nothing but truth could withstand. He delivered the address at both the Lincoln and Gar- field memorial services held at the North Church, and also delivered the oration at the Centennial cel- ebration of Middletown, held July 14, 1884. As a historical address it was carefully prepared, aud could not have been improved upon. Mr. Warner was interested in many cases of large interest during liis life, the last of which was the Brainard will case, in which he appeared as counsel for the heirs in connection with Judge Elmer, of Middletown, and together they won a splendid victory. There is hardly a man of legal age in Middlesex county that has not heard of Mr. Warner before the Superior Court, where he practiced almost exclusively. For some years before his death he had been a sufferer from stomach troubles, and at times was confined to his house. During his last illness little hope was

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entertained for his recovery after a few days of his affliction. His case was heard of with regret by a large circle of friends and members of the legal pro- fession generally, in whose estimation he stood high. On April 30, 1855, Mr. Warner was married to Mary E., daughter of John Harris, of Norwich, and by her had two children : Harris, born Oct. 26, 1861, and Charles W., born Nov. 20, 1863.

(4) Levi Warner was born Oct. 10, 1830. After four years of study under the direction of his brother Samuel L., late of Middletown, at Yale Law School and at Cambridge, Mass., he was admitted to the Bar at Boston, Mass., in January, 1858. In that same year he was admitted to the Middlesex County Bar in Connecticut. In 1858 he opened an office for the practice of law at Norwalk, Conn., where he has since practiced, and later one in Bridgeport, same State. He is a resident of Norwalk. He was a mem- ber of the XLVth United States Congress. He mar- ried in June, 1865, Mary S. Adams, of Norwalk, Connecticut. (5) Sarah A. Warner, born May 16. 1832, married Nov. 28, 1861, Ira Standish, who was a farmer in Wethersfield ; she died July 6, 1891. (6) John Warner, born Sept. 1, 1835, married (first ) March 21, 1864, Cornelia Dix. She died, and he married, Feb. 16, 1869, Catherine Buckley, and is now residing in Wethersfield, engaged in farming. (7) George Francis Warner, born Sept. 10, 1837, married Feb. 7, 1871, Harriet Hale ; he is a farmer in Wethersfield. (8) Albert E. Warner, born Dec. 12, 1839, married, Nov. 28, 1867, Mary Hanmer.

(VIII) William Warner, our subject, was born Aug. 16, 1825, in Wethersfield, on the farm now oc- cupied by his brother George F. He attended the district schools of his native town, and the Wether- field Academy for several winters, one of his teach- ers being Charles Hungerford. He remained at home until his marriage, then lived on a part of the home farm until 1864, in which year he purchased his present farm of Gen. James T. Pratt, which was known as the "Hollister place." Here he has since been engaged in general farming and tobacco grow- ing. Mr. Warner has been progressive and kept pace with the times, improving and making attract- ive his home and the farm. He bears the esteem, re- spect and good will of the community in which he has so long lived, and where his ancestors for so many previous generations have lived, and has been successful in his life work. The active management of the place is now left to his son William F. Mr. Warner's political affiliations are with the Demo- cratic party, but though active in its welfare he has never been persuaded to accept office.

On March 27, 1850, our subject was married, to Adeliza Deming, born April II, 1827, in Weth- ersfield, daughter of Henry and Mary (Wells) Deming, he being a carpenter and farmer by occupation. To this union have been born chil- dren as follows: (1) William Franklin, born April 12, 1852, married Rosella Matson, and they have two children, Mary A., and Harris C. William F. is now managing and carrying on the homestead.

(2) Arthur C., born March 31, 1856, died June 18, 1870. (3) Frederick, born Sept. 7, 1859. died Oct. 13, 1859. (4) Levi Francis, born Nov. 11, 1864, mar- ried June 12, 1895, Elsie H. Young, a native of Montreal, Canada, and has one child, Robinson, born April 30, 1898. He is a successful physician in New York. Mr. Warner belongs to no church or secret society.

WILLIAM P. WICKHAM. Merit, if real, is ofttimes non-assertive. The possessions of marked abilities and qualities of distinction are not un- usually found in individuals of quiet and retiring manner. The subject of this sketch is a prominent farmer, genial but unostentatious, possessing many traits that are prized and honored by his fellow men, winning success in his chosen vocation, and developing a character during his lifelong residence in Hartford county that is most highly respected.

Mr. Wickham is a representative of an old New England family. He was born at Glastonbury April 30, 1840, son of John Wickhan, and grand- son of Hezekiah Wickham, both residents of Glas- tonbury, the latter of whom was a son of Hezekialı.

Grandfather Wickham was twice married. By his first wife, Mary ( Miller ), he had three children : Joseph : Lucy, who married a Mr. Ransom; and Lucretia, who married a Mr. Loveland. By his second marriage, to Elizabeth Perrin, there was only one child, John, the father of our subject. Hezekiah Wickham was a deacon in the Congrega- tional Church of Glastonbury (East Parish) for about twenty-six years, and served in the war of the Revolution.

John Wickham, the father, had an intimate ac- quaintanceship with the hardships and difficulties of life. He was "put out," as the expression was, at the tender age of three years. and as a boy had very limited educational advantages. He grew up on the farm, married Miss Malinda Cul- ver, a native of Hebron, Conn., daughter of Bei- jamin Culver, and settled in Glastonbury. Soon after marriage misfortune overtook him in the form of a fire, which swept away all his earthly belongings, but, nothing daunted, he renewed his efforts to win comfort and independence, and triumphed in goodly measure. He became a highly respected and influential citizen, reared an excel- lent family, lived to the age of sixty-four years in comparative affluence in his later years, and be- queathed to his children the heritage of a good name and an upright example. His widow survived to the age of seventy-nine years and six months, and botli were buried in Manchester Center ceni- etery. Their children were as follows: Horace J., a retired manufacturer of Manchester, who be- gan life without means and became a successful man; Maria, now Mrs. Albert Brewer, of Bloom- field; Jane, who married Frank Smith, and is now deceased ; William P., our subject ; and Emma, who married Samuel Newberry, of South Windsor.

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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 37

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