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 50

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 50

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(III) Samuel Hayden, born Feb. 28, 1677-78, died at Harwinton, Conn., Oct. 12, 1742, and his wife, Ann Holcomb, of Windsor, died June 13, 1756. They had six children : Anna, Samuel, Nathaniel, Joseph, William and Sarah.

(IV) Nathaniel Hayden, known as "Deacon Nathaniel," was born June 18, 1709, and died Nov. 14, 1803. In 1737 he married Naomi Gaylord, who died April 7, 1803, aged eighty-seven. Their chil- dren were: Ann, Nathaniel, Hezekiah, Levi, Naomi and Martin.

(V) Levi Hayden, our subject's great-grand- father, was born May 28, 1747, and died Aug. 4, 1821. In 1772 he married Margaret Strong, who died May 10, 1812. His second wife was a widow, Mary Kent, of Suffield. He had nine children, all by his first marriage: Levi, Ellen, Hezekiah, Strong, Martin, Clara, Anson, William and Ellen.

(VI) Levi Hayden, grandfather of our subject, was born July 31, 1773, and died Jan. 30, 1839. On Oct. 30, 1800, he married Wealthy Haskell, and they had the following children : Lucinda H., Mary Ann, Nathaniel, Oliver, Elizabeth Bissel, Jabez Haskell, Samuel Strong, Hezekiah Sydney, Augustus Henry, Sarah Nichols and Levi Gaylord.

(VII) Oliver Hayden, our subject's father, was born Dec. 3, 1807, at our subject's present home- stead, and was reared as a farmer boy, receiving only a common-school education. The Hayden gen- ealogy says of him: "Inheriting a good physical constitution, he applied himself diligently to either farm work or brick making as occasion required, and after his elder brother fell out by reason of dis- ability he became ( next to his father ) the leader of his younger brothers in work and frolic, both of which were vigorously and harmoniously pushed. He early became an advocate of total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors, and continued in that practice till his death." After reaching his majority he spent a year or two in Western New York, then for several years resided in Windsor Locks, where he was associated with the men who were prominent in molding the institutions of the then infant village. About 1840 he bought one of the Owen farms in

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East Granby ; he died at Hayden's Station July 10, 1893, and was buried in East Granby.

Mr. Hayden was a supporter of every good work in the community, and an active and influential mem- ber of the Congregational Church, in which he held office. Politically he was first a Whig, later a Re- publican, and for many years he took a prominent part in local affairs. His integrity was unquestioned, and as a successful farmer and good business man he acquired a most comfortable competence. On Nov. 29, 1837, he married Miss Jane Owen, of East Granby, who was born July 5, 1812, the daughter of George C. Owen, and a descendant of John Owen, one of the first settlers of Windsor. Six children were born of this union: (1) Sydney H., born Dec. II, 1838, enlisted in 1862 in Company B, 16th Conn. Vol. Inf., was taken prisoner and confined for some time in Andersonville prison. Later he was trans- ferred to Florence, S. C., and was offered freedom if he would take the oath of allegiance to the South, but he declined. Finally he was exchanged, and after a visit to his home in East Granby, on furlough, he again went to the front, but his enfeebled health com- pelled him to return home, where he died April 4, 1865. He never married. (2) Theodosia, born Sept. 16, 1840, died Dec. 14, 1851. (3) Owen, born May 5, 1844, died March 2, 1847. (4) Catharine J., born April 22, 1846, married Charles H. Clark, and died April 16, 1872, leaving no children. (5) Miss Abby L., born April 30, 1849, resides with our sub- ject. (6) William O., our subject. The mother died Oct. 20, 1893, and the remains of both parents are interred in the cemetery at East Granby.

(VIII) William O. Hayden was born Feb. 12, 1852, in East Granby, and his education was begun in the schools of District No. I, of that town, Miss Margaret Bates, Miss Sarah Alderman and Miss Mary Griswold being among his early teachers. He also attended a select school in East Granby, taught by a Mr. Folsom from Dartmouth College, and later he studied for a time at Wilbraham College, his vacations being spent in assisting his father at the farm. After his marriage he continued to reside with his father, the house having been especially ar- ranged to accommodate two families, but in April, 1893, he removed to his present home at Hayden's Station, known as the "Levi Hayden Farm." It is a fine estate and one of the historic places of the town, the house, which is in an excellent state of preserva- tion, having been built in 1737. Mr. Hayden is ex- tensively engaged in raising tobacco in addition to general farming, and also wholesales large quantities of milk from his dairy. He gives personal attention to the management of the place and many improve- ments have been made under his direction, the most notable one being a dam in the brook near his house, from which he gets a supply of ice for family use, and pumps water for all his buildings by means of a hydraulic pump. His sound business judgment and well-proven integrity have won the confidence of his fellow-citizens, and he is frequently chosen to act as guardian and trustee for others. While thoroughly

progressive in his ideas he is of a quiet disposition, and does not aspire to public life, the only offices ever held by him having been those of assessor of East Granby town and school commissioner (many times). His first Presidential vote was cast for Hayes and Wheeler, and since boyhood he has been an ardent Republican. His wealth enables him to give effective aid to any movement which promises to benefit the community, and he recently donated the land for the A. M. E. Church at Hayden's Sta- tion. Mr. Hayden while not a member of that church has served as one of its officers, for several years was on the Church committee, and served as collector.

On Jan. 1, 1878, Mr. Hayden was married, in East Granby, to Miss Katherine M. Mills, who was born April 7, 1860, daughter of Gustavus and Sarah (Whitmore) Mills, highly esteemed residents of this county. Three bright and promising sons have been born to them: Haskell A., now a clerk in Hart- ford; Owen W .; and Oliver. The family is prom- inent socially, and Mrs. Hayden is a leader in relig- ious and philanthropic enterprises in her locality, be- ing an active member of the Congregational Church.

HILLS BROTHERS. Success in any line of effort is not won without strenuous endeavor, and if one were to search for the secret of the marked prosperity of this well-known firm of agriculturists and stock raisers, the answer would be found in their untiring attention to the details of their work.

As stock men they have few equals and no su- periors in the United States, and here is seen the result of the most scrupulous application of scien- tific methods of breeding, combined with generous yet judicious feeding, and a kindly sympathetic at- tention to the wants of all animals under their care. Their fine estate of one hundred acres near Hay- den's Station is admirably adapted to this busi- ness, modern buildings supplementing the natural advantages, and stock raised there has frequently been found to surpass the best of the far-famed products of the "Blue Grass Region," and from time to time has been exhibited throughout the country, receiving extensive notices in the stock journals. A yoke of six-year-old oxen weighing 4,600 were the especial pride of the firm, but other noted specimens of their raising in the past include two famous grade Durham cows that weighed 2,500 and 3,000 at six years ; the latter, which brought an enormous price, was placed on exhibition in all parts of the United States. As citizens Henry and Stephen Hills are noted for the same progressive spirit that has brought them their high reputation in the business world, and no local' enterprise prom- ising benefit to the public is allowed to fail for the want of their co-operation and support. They have clone much to secure good roads in their locality, and to their influence is largely due the establish- ment of a depot at Hayden's Station, the land for the side track having been donated by them. A

STEPHEN HILLS

HENRY W. HILLS

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few years ago Stephen Hills started a subscription for the purpose of improving the old Palisade cem- etery at Windsor, where interments were made as early as 1633, and by his personal efforts he suc- ceeded in collecting $9,000. With this the once neglected spot was made a beautiful and attractive place under the care of the First School Society, of which Mr. Hills is still a leading member. In fact, to mention the enterprises in which the broth- ers have assisted would be to make a list of all the public measures undertaken in their locality since they came to the years of discretion.

The Hills family originated near Shanklin, in the Isle of Wight, and the name was formerly spelled Hill. Members of the family came to this country at an early day, locating at East Hart- ford. The first to settle at Windsor was the grand- father of the brothers, Capt. Stephen Hills, a na- tive of East Hartford, born Oct. II, 1750, who be- came the owner of a large tract of land at Windsor, where his remaining years were spent. His wife, Mabel (Woodbridge), who was born Feb. 18. 1750, was a member of an old and aristocratic family of this section. This worthy pioneer couple had twelve children (five sons and seven daughters), among them being Henry Woodbridge Hills and Stephen Hills, of New York, noted cotton mer- chants of their day. Another of the sons, Heze- kiah, was the first to settle at the present farm.

Hezekiah Hills, the father of the members of the present firm of Hills Brothers, was born May 12, 1789, in the town of Manchester, Hartford county, the seventh child and the second son in the family. Owing to the changes of residence made by his parents his schooling was obtained in dif- ferent places, but notwithstanding nis meager ad- vantages he showed much mental ability, and ex- celled in mathematics. Having been reared to farm work, he gave his attention to agriculture in ma- ture life, spending many years in the care of the present homestead, which came into his possession soon after its purchase by his brother. He was an excellent manager, always obtaining good re- sults, but as he suffered from rheumatism for many years previous to his death he retained only a gen- eral oversight of the estate. His sterling qualities of character won him the respect of all who knew him, and his death, which occurred July 26, 1856, was sincerely lamented in the community. His es- timable wife, Esther (Drake), died Jan. 6, 1878, and the remains of both now rest in the old cem- etery at Windsor. Mrs. Esther (Drake) Hills was born in Windsor July 26, 1795, the daughter of Lemuel and Esther ( Burnham) Drake, and belonged to a pioneer family of that locality. Her ancestors came originally from England, the line of descent being traced through to Sir Francis Drake. Her carly educational privileges were better than was usual at that time, and when but a girl she taught school successfully in District No. I, town of Wind-

sor, while looking after the welfare of a numerous family of sisters and brothers, her mother having died some years before. Possessing rare mental ability and a strong constitution, she was one woman in a thousand, and her remarkable faculties remained unimpaired until the last, notwithstanding a life of incessant industry. While she and her husband were not church members they were deeply relig- ious, and the evidences of their faith were seen in their daily life. The old custom of beginning the Sabbath at 6 P. M. on Saturday and ending it at 6 P. M. on Sunday was strictly observed in their home. They had three children: Henry W., Stephen and Eliza Woodbridge, all of whom reside at the old homestead.

Miss Eliza Woodbridge Hills is greatly beloved for her kindness of heart, which she manifests in generous deeds. As a devout member of the Epis- copal Church, she has contributed liberally to its work, but her benefactions are by no means re- stricted to that channel. During her youth she spent much of her time in New York City, and, in spite of delicate health, she took a prominent part in the best social circles. Her tastes are decidedly artistic and literary, her conversation showing an intimate ac- quaintance with the great works of the masters in both lines, and her wide culture and her alert inter- est in all that pertains to intellectual growth make her companionship valued among a refined and select group of friends.

HENRY W. and STEPHEN HILLS were born and reared at their present homestead, and their educa- tion was begun in the old school in District No. 6, of Windsor, then considered the best in the town. Later they attended Windsor Academy, but their father's failing health compelled them to turn their energies to the work of the farm when they might otherwise have been in school. As their father was extensively engaged in tobacco growing, in which line he was a pioneer in his town, they were early instructed in the best methods of dealing with that crop, and they have continued to made it a specialty up to the present time, meeting with their usual suc- cess. Their farm is a model of neatness and sys- tem, and they keep a large dairy, the product being disposed of at wholesale. The house, which was erected in 1800, is comfortable, and is an attractive specimen of the old style of architecture, having been one of the first in the town to be built with its gable end to the street. In State and National poli- tics both brothers are stanch Republicans, but in local elections they vote for the men and measures which they deem best for the people. Although their public spirit, sound judgment and well-proved integrity have caused them to be frequently men- tioned for office they have always avoided the politi- cal arena, both preferring the activities of private life.

HENRY ARASTUS SHELDON, one of West Suffield's respected citizens and prominent agricul- turists and tobacco growers, is a native of Connecti-

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cut, having been born July 1, 1850, in West Suf- field.

The Sheldon family is one of the oldest in the State, and descended from a Colonial family of Eng- lish origin, that came from that part of the County of Essex nearest London. Isaac Sheldon, an ances- tor of our subject, was born in Windsor, Hartford Co., Conn., in 1629, and when a young man removed to Northampton, Mass., engaged in farming, and there married Mary Woodford, later bringing his family to what is now known as Suffield, Conn., where he passed the remainder of his life. His son, Jonathan, was born May 29, 1689, settled in West Suffield, built a fine dwelling on his large estate, and was well known as Captain Jonathan Sheldon, as he was in command of a company of militia. The dwelling is still standing, and is now owned by Charles L. Austin. On Dec. 30, 1708, Capt. Sheldon married Mary Southwell, and their daughter, Mary, was married to the Rev. Jonathan Judd, an inmate of the Captain's house, while on probation as a minis- ter of the Congregational Church at West Suffield. Another daughter, Silence, became the first wife of Rev. John Graham, who for forty years was a min- ister of the same church in West Suffield, and to this marriage were born ten children. After the death of his first wife, Rev. Graham married Widow Smith, whose maiden name was Deborah King, and she bore him seven children, the youngest of whom was Dr. Sylvester Graham, a well-known Presbyte- rian divine, elocutionist and vegetarian, and whose name is well-known thoughout the world as the originator of the bread and flour which bear his name.

Jonathan Sheldon, a son of the Captain, was born in I7II, on the old homestead, and all his life was engaged in the pursuit of agriculture. He married Sarah Kent, and died on his farm Feb. 12, 1761, six years before the death of his father. In religion he was a Congregationalist, while his wife was a Bap- tist, but the remains of both were interred in the same grave in the West Suffield cemetery. Their son, Jonathan, was born on the homestead Dec. 28, 1737, and passed all his mature life on the farm now owned by Hezekiah S. Sheldon. He married Abi- gail Loomis in 1762, and they had six children : Jonathan, Nov. 29, 1763; Gad, Feb. 28, 1765 ; Oba- diah, Oct. 23, 1766; Jared, Oct. 23, 1768 ; Arastus, Oct. 29, 1770 ; and Abigail, Oct. 3, 1772. The father of this family died on his farm Feb. 10, 1814, a mem- ber of the Congregational Church and a sincere Christian.

Hon. Arastus Sheldon, the grandfather of our subject, was educated in the district schools of his town, settled down to farming on the old homestead, on which he made many improvements, and there passed the remainder of his life. He was an ad- lierent of the political principles of Thomas Jeffer- son and becanie a representative in the State Legis- lature. He married Eunice King, Nov. 16, 1796, and nine children were born to the marriage : James, March 17, 1798; Obadiah Loomis, May 24, 1800;

Horace, Sept. 21, 1802 ; Jared, Sept. 23, 1804; Gad, Dec. 30, 1806; Francis ( father of our subject ), Feb. 4, 1809; Julia Ann, Jan. 14, 1811 (she became the wife of Jared Smith, of Massachusetts) ; Alfred J., Jan. 18, 1813; and Eliza A., Feb. 24, 1816 (who married Sylvester Pomeroy). The mother of tliese children passed away Feb. 20, 1830, the father on March 27, 1840, and the remains of both lie at rest in the West Suffield cemetery.

Francis Sheldon, father of our subject, was born on the old homestead in West Suffield, where he grew to manhood. He settled on a part of the home- stead, on a tract of 200 acres, whereon he built a fine dwelling-house, barns, etc., besides otherwise greatly improving the property. He spent his entire life in West Suffield, dying there Dec. 15, 1876, and was buried in West Suffield cemetery. As a Demo- crat of the old school he was prominent in public affairs, and at one time served in the State Legisla- ture, also as selectman of his town, and in other local offices.

Mr. Sheldon was twice married, first time to Cornelia Pomeroy, and she bore him one child, Cor- nelia, who became the wife of Clinton H. Nelson, and died Nov. 13, 1866. Mrs. Cornelius Sheldon died, April 24, 1837, and. lies buried in West Suf- field cemetery. For his second wife Francis Sheldon wedded Sophia Pomeroy, and three children blessed this union: Andrew, who died May 19, 1874; Em- ily J., wife of William F. Baldwin, of Hartford, Conn., and Henry A., the subject proper of this sketch. The mother of this family died March 29, 1894, and her remains were interred in West Suf- field cemetery.

Henry A. Sheldon, whose name introduces this sketch, attended the public schools of Suffield, also the Connecticut Literary Institute, and was reared to agricultural pursuits on the home farm. After the death of his father he took charge of the home- stead, comprising a tract of 150 acres of fine land, and has since operated it successfully. He has made extensive improvements thereon, and engaged in tobacco growing, stock raising and dealing, also in dairying-in fact he is to-day one of the most exten- sive general farmers in West Suffield.

On Oct. 20, 1880, in the town of Granby, Henry A. Sheldon was united in marriage with Mary A. Rice, who was born in Granby, a daughter of Levi Rice, and three children were born of this union ; Francis H., born Sept. 5, 1881 ; Louise S., May 29, 1885; and Alice E., July 16, 1893. In politics Mr. Sheldon is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and has served his town and county in various offices of trust, such as selectman of Suffield and member of the school committee and the board of re- lief. He is widely and favorably known in the coun- ty, and justly merits the respect and regard accorded hint by his fellow citizens.

CHARLES P. MERWIN. The story of this gentleman's life is a record of wholly honorable at- tainment. In these latter days, wlien what we call

Chus. D. Kerwin.

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success is so generally won by devious ways of dis- honesty, cunning and brutal selfishness, that strides rough-shod to fortune over the wrecks of others' lives, it is a grateful task to tell of one who set his mark high, and, following hand in hand with honor, reached his goal, leaving for those who knew and loved him a fragrant memory.

Such of the records of Mr. Merwin's ancestors as the writer has at hand are as follows: William Arnold in 1639 settled in Providence Plantation, and his son Benedict was governor of Rhode Island for a term of eight years. Gov. Arnold married Dama- rius, daughter of Stickney Westcott, one of the close and faithful friends of Roger Williams who joined that intrepid and broad-minded leader in his protest against the prevailing narrowness of the Puritans of that time in the Old Colony of Massa- chusetts, and followed with the liberal few to the shores of Narragansett Bay, to live and thrive under a banner whose emblems were "Equality" and "Un- selfishness." A granddaughter of this Colonial gov- ernor married Thomas Tibbals, of Milford, whose son Ambrose Tibbals married Dorothy Thompson, a granddaughter of Thomas Welles, who was dep- uty-governor of Connecticut four years, and gov- ernor in 1655 and 1658. It was from this union, after several generations had intervened, that the father of our subject was descended.

Marcus Merwin, at the time of the birth of his son Charles, lived in West Haven, Conn., and soon afterward moved to Norfolk, Va., where he was in business for a few years. Then returning North, he permanently settled on that portion of the Mer- win estate at that time known as Merwin's Point, now, however, transformed into one of the most charming summer cities by the sea, called Wood- mont.

When eighteen years of age, after an education sufficiently complete, Charles P. Merwin went to New Haven, and was employed by one of the lead- ing wholesale grocery houses, after a few years of diligent service becoming a partner in the firm. He was married in 1870, and had four sons. On ac- count of poor health he sold his business in New Haven and bought out a brick business in Berlin ; to this he brought his indomitable energy, making a success, his yard being second to none in New Eng- land. He died in October, 1893, leaving a wife and three sons, the oldest of whom, R. Clifford Merwin, a Yale graduate, is now president of the C. P. Mer- win Brick Co.

CHARLES DICKINSON. The Dickinson family has been long prominent in the history of Connecticut. The first progenitor in this State was Nathaniel, who settled at Wethersfield, in 1637, bc- ing one of the first inhabitants of that place. He was a man of more than ordinary local prominence, hav- ing served as town clerk and representative in the General Assembly in 1646 and 1656. From Wethers- field he removed to Hadley, Mass., where he died.

The great-grandfather of Charles Dickinson was named William. He was a resident of Southington, where he carried on the business of a tinner. He was the father of four children, Daniel D., Asher, Sarah and Julia.

Daniel Dickinson, the grandfather of Charles, was a farmer, who owned considerable real estate and was regarded throughout his life as a thrifty and prosperous citizen. His distinctive characteristic, outside of his integrity, was his pride, he enjoying the reputation of being the proudest man in the en- tire county. He was an extensive grower of fruit, particularly of apples, and a manufacturer of cider in large quantities. The latter product he marketed at New Orleans, obtaining therefor an average price of ten dollars per barrel. In the process of manu- facture he was strictly conscientious, frequently sending his son, Rollin, to Middletown, to purchase sweet apples, in order that the due proportion of sweet and acid juice might be honestly preserved. His scrupulousness in this regard afforded an index to his entire moral character, and his consistent character and life as a member of the Congrega- tional Church of Southington was never called in question.

Rollin Dickinson, the father of Charles, was reared upon his father's farm, and attended the dis- trict schools which were nearest the place of his birth. He was a man of far more than ordinary abilitv, and endowed with a singular gift for pulpit oratory. He was a peddler by occupation, and while engaged in the prosecution of his trade was accus- tomed to speak, from Sunday to Sunday, in every school house where opportunity was offered, and wherever he was known he was much beloved, being a man whose personal magnetism made itself every- where felt. He was the first inventor of the lucifer match, his device necessitating the dropping of a stick tipped with brimstone into a bottle of liquid phosphorus. As a matter of course, the user found it necessary to buy not only the sticks, but also the phosphoric acid. Perceiving the inherent defects of his device as readily as did those who used it, Mr. Dickinson employed a young man by the mane of Morton Judd (afterward Deacon Morton Judd, of Wallingford) to go to New York, to learn the art of match-making as it was then carried on by the best manufacturers. How much he may have learned through the report of his representative cannot be easily told, but it is certain that he subsequently en- gaged in the manufacture of matches at Southing- ton, where he turned out a fairly good match for the period. Later, he engaged in the manufacture of four-wheeled wagons, and he is said to have been the pioneer in this branch of mechanical industry in the State. He is known as the founder of Plants- ville, where he established a factory for the manu- facture of brass and iron shovels and tongs. The beginning was of the most modest description, but through judicious management, and after several changes of hands, it developed into the present ex- tensive plant of Wightman, Dickinson, Judd & Co.

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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 50

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