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 40

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 40

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In 1837 the family removed to Baldwinsville, N. Y., then a newly settled district, and as our subject was then about four years old his early recollections cover an interesting phase of pioneer life. At fourteen he came to Connecticut to re- side with an uncle, George Kellogg, of Winsted, later spent two years with an uncle in New Hart- ford, and then went to the home of another uncle, where he remained until he reached the age of eight- een. He learned the trade of carpenter and joiner in New Hartford, and while serving his apprentice- ship refused a tempting offer to break his agree- ment with his employer. The latter rewarded him by giving him his time after two and one-half years, and in September, 1854, he settled himself in business in Collinsville. Many houses in that vicinity stand as evidence of his skill.

In 1858 Mr. Andrews became connected with The Collins Company and later entered the machete department, spending two and one-half years in the handle room ; for some years he took contracts for the company. In 1869 the foreman of the machete department died and Mr. Andrews took the posi- tion of foreman, which he held nearly twenty-three years, resigning June 15, 1891. In the meantime he became interested in the Collinsville Savings So- ciety, in which he served as chairman of the board of trustees for some time, and in 1891 he took his present position. In 1868 he opened a grocery in Collinsville, in partnership with Mr. Codding, under the name of the Union Trading Co., with the ob-

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ject of providing the necessaries of life at low cost. The people of the village had previously been obliged to pay exorbitant prices for such supplies, and their patronage of the new firm showed their appreciation of the fair dealing which characterized its transactions, the business amounting to about $20,000 annually. The store was kept open only at night, and Mr. Andrews, after his work as fore- man in the shop during the day, would spend his evenings over the books, but in 1883 he withdrew from the firm. Politically he is a Republican, and at one time was a "Know-nothing." For years he was active in local affairs, and he has served as grand juror and trial justice, and for twelve years was a justice of the peace, but of late he has been obliged to devote his attention more exclusively to business. His kindness of heart found ample scope for action during his judicial service, as his good advice led to the reform of many evil-doers. Our subject is a man of liberal mind, eminently just in his opinion of men and affairs, and, while he had but limited advantages in youth, his keen observa- tion of life and his wide range of reading have given him a good practical education. Physically he has never been robust, but by constant care he has avoided serious illness, his love of out-door sports in youth having contributed much to his good health. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity.

In November, 1859, Mr. Andrews was married in Collinsville, to Miss Abbie Jane Horton, daugh- ter of Leonard and Delia Horton, residents of that place. Three children were born of the union: Hattie C., who died aged five years; May, who died at the age of two and one-half years; and J. Leonard, who died aged three and one-half years. -

HIRAM EMERSON HODGE, the present first selectman and a leading citizen of Marlboro, is a worthy representative of an old and honored New England family. His paternal grandparents were Benaja and Rhoda Hodge, of South Glaston- bury, where the grandfather followed the occupa- tion of farming until his death. They had a family of nine children, whose names and dates of birth were as follows: Hiram, Oct. 20, 1797; Hatsel, March 19,, 1799; Selden, May 27, 1801 ; Benjamin, Jan. 6, 1805; Orin, Nov. 6, 1809; Prudence, Nov. 15, 18II ; Rhoda, Nov. 8, 1813; Lucy, July 17, 1815 ; and Alsup, July 22, 1818.

Alsup Hodge, the father of our subject, was born in South Glastonbury on the farm now occu !- pied by his son-in-law, Roderick Hollister, and there spent his entire life, his time and attention being de- voted to agricultural pursuits. He died June II, 1877. He married Miss Betsy Pearson, who was born April 23, 1811, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Hollister, in South Glastonbury, Jan. 3, 1898. In the family were three children, of whom our subject is the youngest. Emeline, born Dec. 15. 1845, is the widow of Ansel Bidwell, a teamster of North Glastonbury; and Olive, born July 29, 1848,

was married June 1, 1872, to Roderick Hollister, a farmer of South Glastonbury.

Hiram E. Hodge, our subject, was born on the home farm in South Glastonbury, March 23, 1851, and attended the district schools and also a select school held in the basement of the M. E. Church in East Glastonbury, presided over by E. M. An- thony, a minister. On leaving school, at the age of sixteen years, he returned home, and aided in the work of the farm and also did teaming for his father, who operated a stone quarry which was located upon his place. For many years our subject was also in- terested in burning charcoal. In early life he spent one year working on a farm in Batavia, N. Y. After his return to Connecticut he was married, and lived on the home farm for a couple of years. He then went to East Hampton, Middlesex county, where he engaged in charcoal burning for Hudson Hollister, and in 1878 came to Marlboro and purchased the WV. L. Hills place. He did teaming for the Marl- boro Mills while they were in operation, and car- ried the mail between Marlboro and East Hampton, making two trips daily. He also hauled stone, wood, etc. Subsequently he purchased his present farm from William Dickinson, then comprising 221 acres, but he has since added to it a ninety-acre tract, and now has a fine farm of 311 acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, and on which he is now successfully engaged in general farming.

On Jan. 21, 1875, Mr. Hodge was united in mar- riage with Miss Lavina Root, a native of East Hampton, and a daughter of Henry and Fidelia (Archer) Root. To the assistance of his thrifty wife our subject attributes much of his success. They have six children: Leslie, who is now living in Westchester ; Harrison, who died young, his deatlı resulting from a kick of a horse; and Dwight, Har- old, Grace and Jennie, all at home. The family is one of which any parent might be justly proud.

Mr. Hodge is a hard-working, energetic man, and his success is due entirely to his own well-di- rected labors. He attends the Methodist Church, and politically affiliates with the Democratic party, taking a very prominent and influential part in political matters as one of the leading members of the party in Marlboro. He was chosen selectman in 1894, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899 and 1900, and when representative in 1894-5, received two-thirds of the vote of the town, which fact plainly indicates his popularity, and the confidence and trust that his fellow citizens repose in him.

ANDREW J. SHIPMAN, one of the best- known hotel men in the Eastern States, was born Jan. 12, 1830, son of Samuel Shipman, and grand- son of John Shipman.

John Shipman was born in Rocky Hill, and was a man of no little prominence in the community, being a large land owner. He married a Miss Hol- lister, by whom he had four children : Samuel, our subject's father ; John, who died in childhood; and

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Catherine and Julia, both of whom married men by the name of Hunt. John Shipman attained the ex- traordinary age of ninety-two years, and died en- joying the esteem of the entire community in which he passed his life.

Samuel Shipman, the father of Andrew J., was born in 1783, in Rocky Hill, Conn. He received his early education at the district schools, and at the age of eighteen began the life of a farmer, which pursuit he followed until 1837, in that year remov- ing to Rocky Hill, where he purchased the well- known "Rocky Hill Hotel." He changed the name to "Shipman's Hotel," and under the management of himself and his successors it became one of the most famous country hostelries of New England. He was a jovial and popular landlord, and familiarly known as "Uncle Sammy." The house is of great antiquity, having been built by Simeon Williams one hundred and fifty years ago, and was also famous for its fish and game dinners, being particularly noted for the many excellent ways in which shad was served. It was a favorite resort of the wealthy citizens of Hartford, among whom may be named the Trumbulls, the Stewarts, and a Mr. Colt (one of Mr. Shipman's best patrons), of the Colt's Arms Company, whose establishment was frequently vis- ited by officers connected with the armies of foreign countries, and occasionally by scions of royalty it- self, who were anxious to become familiar with the improvements which Mr. Colt's inventions had wrought in the manufacture of fire arms. On the occasion of such visits as these it was Mr. Colt's custom to take his guests aboard his little steam yacht "Dauntless" and carry them down the Con- necticut river to "Uncle Sammy's" tavern, for a dinner of shad or game. The house was situated on what was known as the old Middletown turn- pike, running from Hartford to New Haven, and was extensively patronized by travelers along the route. Samuel Shipman married Maria Rogers, daughter of Asa Rogers, of Hartford, and a sister of the well-known Rogers brothers, manufacturers of silver plated ware. She became the mother of five children, of whom Andrew J. (our subject) was fourth in the order of birth; Frank, the eldest, was also a well-known hotel man, of East Haddam, where he died in 1863; Albert died in 1867; Maria lost her life through an accident, in 1835 ; and Ellen is the widow of Henry Smith, of Hartford. Samuel Shipman died in March, 1875, and his wife, who was seventeen years his junior, having been born in 1800, survived him only four years. He was a sol- dier of the war of 1812.

Andrew J. Shipman was quite young when his father took charge of the "Rocky Hill Hotel." Hc attended the district schools of his native place, and supplemented the training there received by a course in Ellington Academy. Both by instinct and train- ing his inclinations were bent in the direction of hotel-keeping. At the age of twenty he went to Hartford, where he became clerk in the "United States Hotel," holding that position for a year. The

next year he passed at a hotel in Wallingford, and from that point went to Pittsburg, Penn., where he was similarly employed for four years. From Pitts- burg he removed to New York City, and after being employed for two years in a hotel there went to Wilmington, N. C., where he remained until the outbreak of the Civil war, in 1861. Returning to New York, he soon found employment in his own chosen pursuit ; and from that time forward his summers were spent at Newport, R. I., where he was steward of the famous "Ocean Hotel." The latter post he occupied for thirty-one consecutive years, alternating his summers (during a portion of the period) by performing the duties of steward in the "Fifth Avenue Hotel," in New York. In 1897 he retired from active business pursuits, and bought his father's old hotel at Rocky Hill, which he converted into a modern residence for himself and family. Mr. Shipman is naturally much attached to the old homestead, where his father passed so many suc- cessful years and attained such an enviable reputa- tion as a host. His father's record and associations are also a source of legitimate pride to him. Mr. Shipman is a Democrat in political sentiment, and was elected to the State Legislature in 1889 and 1890. He is a member of the O. U. A. M.

On Dec. 27, 1865, our subject married Miss Mat- sie J. Godbee, the daughter of James and Mary (Rogers ) Godbee, of Sag Harbor, L. 1. They have had no children of their own, but have reared four boys, one from infancy.

JAMES GODBEE was a sea captain, his first mari- time experience having been gained as a cabin boy on a whaling vessel, on which he shipped when he was but sixteen years of age. His first cruise lasted three years, and from that time until 1847 he fol- lowed a sea-faring life almost without intermission. In the year last mentioned, in company with several other men of Sag Harbor, he bought and fitted out the bark "Hamilton," on which the owners made a voyage to California. Arrived at San Francisco, he disposed of his interest in the vessel and purchased a schooner, with which he engaged in the trade along the California coast, dealing in vegetables and fruits. On his return trip to the East the vessel on which he sailed was wrecked off the coast of lower Califor- nia, but he, with a few others, was rescued, and succeeded in saving some valuable express packages committed to his charge, which he safely delivered upon his return to New York.

Shortly after his return to his home at Sag Harbor Mr. Godbee secured a government contract for the building of life-saving stations along the Long Island coast, which he carried out with the fidelity and keen business sense which character- ized all his business career. He was much trusted by his fellow citizens, who frequently sought his ad- vice, which was always freely given. He was one of the trustees of the Sag Harbor Savings Bank, and retired from active business in 1880, because of failing eyesight. He died in 1886. His widow is still living, at the ripe old age of eighty-five years,

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and makes her home with her daughter and son-in- law, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Shipman. Mr. and Mrs. Godbee had a family of five children: J. Ed- gar, now of Hartford, who is secretary of the Woven Wire Mattress Co .; Ellen, widow of B. J. Hurand, who resides in New York City ; Mary, Mrs. Theodore Fields, deceased ; William L., of Bridge- hampton, L. I. ; and Matsie J., Mrs. Shipman.

CAPT. ARTHUR B. KEENEY is descended from a long-lived ancestry, who have been born and bred on the old homestead farm in Hartford county, which they have tilled for more than one hundred years. His great-great-grandfather was Tell Kee- ney, and his son, Richard Keeney (our subject's great-grandfather), attained the phenomenal age of 105 years. His grandfather, Russell Keeney, died at the age of eighty-eight, and his father, Por- ter Keeney, lived to be nearly eighty. All his pa- ternal forefathers were farmers.

Russell Keeney married Jerusha Dart, and had five children : Porter (our subject's father ), Betsey (who married Ira Keeney), Mirinda ( who became the wife of Horace Keeney), Woodruff and Hulda.

Porter Keeney, our subject's father, married Emily Bidwell, who was born April 19, 1806, and died April 17, 1897, two days before reaching her ninety-first birthday. To their union were born ten children, a brief mention of some of whom will be of interest : Electa was born April 2, 1826, and died Feb. 8, 1838; Sanford was born Oct. II, 1827, and died at his home in South Manchester May 5, 1891 ; Edwin was born April 13, 1830, and is now a merchant of New London; Riley, born Aug. 13, 1832, died at the age of thirty, on Aug. 9, 1862, at Alexandria, Va., having served in the 5th (or Colt's) Regiment, Conn. V. I .; Emily A. (I) was born Sept. 9, 1835, and died Feb. 6, 1838; Emily A. (2) was born May 2, 1838, and married James Lyons, of South Manchester, where she still resides; Sarah R. was born Oct. 22, 1840; Harriet, born July 19, 1843, became the wife of Asa G. Hills, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa; one daughter, born in 1845, lived only a short time; Arthur B. is referred to below. The father of this family ( Porter Keeney) was born July 24, 1805, and died April 8, 1885, twelve years before his wife: he was buried in the East ceme- tery of Manchester.

Arthur B. Keeney was born March 25, 1849, on the farm on which his father took up his residence shortly after marriage. It is situated in Glaston- bury, just across the town line from the old Keeney homestead, in the town of Manchester. His early education was obtained at the common schools, and the first twenty years of his life were spent upon his father's farm. For ten years following he was employed in Cheney Bros.' silk mill, and at the expi- ration of that period he returned to the home of his boyhood, where he has lived ever since. His pres- ent farm embraces seventy-four acres, including the "home place" of fourteen acres. On May 9, 1870. he married Miss Rose Wetherell, a daughter of

William and Frances ( Watrous) Wetherell, the lat- ter a direct descendant of John Alden, of Plymouth fame. One child has come to this union, Harry W., born Aug. 7, 1872, who on June 9, 1897, married Miss Dorothy M. Hall, of Manchester.

For several years Mr. Keeney served in the State militia, with marked distinction. The date of his enlistment in the Ist Regiment, Conn. N. G., was Nov. 10, 1871. On April 9, 1877, he rose to the rank of sergeant, and on Nov. 9, 1877, was commis- sioned second lieutenant. He was made first lieu- tenant May 14, 1878, and captain Sept. 1, 1879. On Dec. 19, 1882, he tendered his resignation, which was accepted. His son enlisted in the same com- pany Feb. 16, 1891, and he also rose gradually to the rank of captain, receiving his commission July 29, 1896, and having the distinction of being the youngest captain in the brigade. He resigned in 1898.

Capt. Keeney is a Republican in politics. In 1896 he was elected tax collector of Manchester, and has been re-elected for the fourth time, holding the office for five years. He is a member of the First Congregational Church of Manchester Center, and also belongs to the A. O. U. W.

WILLIS WILCOX MILDRUM, now post- master at East Berlin, possesses the aptitude of the native of Connecticut for mechanical skill, and has been connected with various prosperous industrial enterprises of his native State. Ile is a man of strong, earnest convictions, which are manifested by him as a citizen and in the various relationships which constitute the career of every useful member of society. Mr. Mildrum believes it the duty of every man to give his attention to politics, and in church, fraternal, social and business life he ranks high among his fellow townsmen.

Mr. Mildrum was born in East Berlin, Oct. 6, 1846, son of William Augustus and Adelia M. ( Wil- cox ) Mildrum, and grandson of, Orrin Mildrum. The father was a contractor with the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co., of East Berlin, making tinman's tools. Our subject attended the public schools until the age of sixteen, when he entered a photograph gallery at Meriden. A little later he abandoned photography to learn the tool-maker's trade with the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co., remaining with that highly prosperous company for six years, when he began business for himself as a partner in the firm of D. C. Callender & Co., jewelers at New Britain and Meriden; and the firm being composed of D. C. & F. E. Callender, and our subject. Disposing of his mercantile inter- ests, Mr. Mildrum remained for a time at Newing- ton, and was then offered and accepted the superin- tendency of the Corrugated Metal Co. He next be- gan the manufacture of fine jewels for surveyors' and electrical instruments, which business he still conducts, also making jewels for all kinds of com- passes.

Mr. Mildrum received his appointment of post- master at East Berlin, June 22, 1898. His com-

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mission was signed by President Mckinley July 9, 1898, the office having been made a Presidential one during the second administration of President Cleve- land. In politics our subject is an ardent Republi- can, and since carly manhood he has taken an active interest in public affairs. For about fifteen years lie served on the school board, and he was also a member of the town executive committee. He has been offered and has declined a number of political offices. Mr. Mildrum is a prominent member of Washington Lodge, No. 81, F. & A. M., of Crom- well, and has filled the chairs of senior warden, master and deacon in the lodge.

On Oct. 1I, 1871, Mr. Mildrum married Miss Anna Shelden Webster, who was born Feb. 28, 1847, daughter of John and Lydia Frances Webster, of Newington. They have two daughters, Clare Elizabeth and Miriam Lydia. Clare Elizabeth, born March 28, 1873, married April 27, 1899, Rollin Col- vert Bastress, of Shamokin, Penn., at present civil engineer for the American Bridge Co .; she is a grad- uate of the New Britain high school, and of Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass., class of 1898. Miriam Lydia, born April 24, 1875, attended the New Britain high school, and later the Northfield Training School; on June 6, 1900, she became the wife of A. W. A. Eden, of Brownstown, Jamaica, West Indies, who is a civil engineer, now with the American Bridge Co. at East Berlin.

Mr. and Mrs. Mildrum are members of the Sec- ond Congregational Church of Berlin, and he is a member of the standing committee of the church. The daughters are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church of East Berlin.

EDWARD F. THRALL. Among the brave men who helped to make up the quota from Con- necticut during the early call for defenders of the Union in the dark days of the Civil war was the sub- ject of this sketch, now a well-known resident of the town of Windsor. His prompt response as a young man to his country's need was characteristic, and his honorable record in private life is no less an indication of personal worth and manly qualities. An active career as a merchant has been followed by many years of quiet attention to agricultural pursuits, and he and his gifted wife now reside upon an attractive farm near Poquonock.

Mr. Thrall was born in the town of Windsor, Feb. 6, 1837, son of Horace and Eliza (Wilson) Thrall, whose history is given elsewhere. He was reared to farm work at the old homestead, and as a boy attended the school of District No. 7, his native ability being shown in his quick grasp of knowl- edge under conditions by no means equal to those of the present day. His progress in mathematics was especially noteworthy, and at the age of sixteen he began the study of the science of navigation un- der Capt. Hamilton, of the ship "Prudence." For three and one-half years he "sailed the ocean blue," visiting many of the principal ports on the globe

and during his time he secured an excellent knowl- edge of navigation. On his return home he found employment in a paper-mill at Poquonock, begin- ning at the work requiring least skill, but with ha- bitual thoroughness he soon mastered the details, and was raised to the most responsible position in the shop. After a time he resigned to engage in the grocery business at Poquonock, which he con- tinued for a number of years. The outbreak of the Rebellion aroused his patriotism, and, leaving his business in the hands of his brother Horace, he en- listed in Company A, 22d Conn. V. I., for the term of three months, and served eleven ; he went out as corporal. When finally discharged from the ser- vice he resumed his business in partnership with his brother, but encountered serious losses, his strict sense of honor compelling him to pay every dollar of indebtedness accruing from them. Later he pur- chased a farm at Poquonock, going heavily in debt. and he has since devoted much of his attention to its management. The place was in poor condition, and many would have thought it impossible to make it productive ; but through the energetic application of common sense he has made it one of the most productive farms of the locality.

In making his way in the world Mr. Thrall has never followed the path of self-denial, as he be- lieves in enjoying the good things of earth, and he has not only surrounded himself at home with the evidences of wealth and artistic taste, but travel has given to him and his accomplished wife the benefits of a wider outlook. Many winters have been spent by them in the Southern States or in Cuba, and wherever they have been they have not failed to attract the friendship of the best people, their own qualities of character being a magnet to draw the esteem of superior natures. Mr. Thrall's genial, jovial manner is in no way changed by prosperity, and he is as approachable as in the days of financial trial, which have served to deepen his generosity and strengthen his brotherly sympathy with all who : are in need. Time is beginning to tell upon his phys- ical vigor, and, while he could once do a day's work with the best, he has contented himself for the fif- teen years past with supervising the labor of others on the farm. He is an admirer of good horse-flesh, and can often be seen driving some fine specimen from his well-kept stables. His interest in the ad- vancement of agricultural affairs is shown by his years of active work in the Poquonock Grange, of which he was a charter member. He is also identi- fied with various social orders, including Robert O. Tyler Post, G. A. R., at Hartford; he was a char- ter member of the O. U. A. M. lodge at Windsor, but he is now retired from same. As a matter of lo- cal improvement he has given much time to the de- velopment of Moore's Park, being treasurer of the corporation, and any project which promises to ben- efit the community receives from him substantial aid. Politically he is a Democrat, and although a wealthy man and a money lender he supported the Chicago platform in 1896, disregarding the argu-

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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 40

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