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 51

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 51

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In addition to his business as a manufacturer Mr. Dickinson for many years conducted a store at Southington, in which his son, Charles, first obtained his experience as a druggist. The father, although not a pharmacist, conducted a dispensary, which he sold in 1817. In his religious faith and observance he was a strict puritan, being particularly noted for the strictness with which he observed the Sabbath. His religious connection was with the Baptist denom- ination, and he died in that faith in 1842. He was public-spirited and influential, and his death was re- garded as a cause for public regret. Mr. Dickinson married Marilla Judd, daughter of John Judd, of New Britain, and the issue of their union was four children : Margaret, born in 1824, married to Sam- uel Upson, of Southington ; Charles; Judson D., born in 1831, who served in the Civil war, and died in 1867 ; and Jane M., born in 1836, who married John Cook, lived in Winsted, and died in the year 1872. After Mr. Dickinson's death his widow married Gil- man Hinsdale, who conducted an express business between New Britain and Hartford.

Charles Dickinson, whose name opens this arti- cle, was born in Southington, on Sept. 8, 1826. His educational advantages were such as were incident to the times. He attended the district school, and as soon as he was able began work upon a farm. His father was anxious that he should receive a bet- ter training, sending him for a year to an academy, and offering him an opportunity to attend college, but young Dickinson preferred an active life to the seclusion more or less inevitable to that of a student. A year after he had left school the father sold his farm, and in 1844 Charles came to New Britain, where he entered the employ of M. & O. S. Judd, house builders. He continued in their employ for several years, when he began work for the Russell & Erwin Co., with whom he remained for two or three years, never losing an opportunity to work during extra hours, thus gaining money for over- time. Upon the building of the Hartford & Provi- dence railroad the company engaged him as consta- ble, to repress the disorder incident to the con- struction of the line. This position he filled for some four years, and for two years was collector of school taxes. In 1857 he purchased the interest of Mr. Hale in the firm of Hale & Dickinson, which had been formed in 1852, with the intention of buying out Hubbard & Kellogg. After various changes in title and mutations in interests, the firm name be- came C. & J. Dickinson, Charles having admitted into partnership his brother, who had served with distinction during the Civil war. The partnership between the brothers continued until the death of the junior member of the firm, since which time Charles Dickinson has conducted the business alone. He is the oldest druggist in business in New Britain, and, with one exception, the oldest in the county. His success is largely attributable to the scrupulous hon- esty with which he has conducted his business-it being radically opposed to his principles to carry any other than fresh drugs.

Mr. Dickinson is a member of the Congrega- tional Church. In politics he was originally a Whig, and since the organization of the Republican party he has allied himself with that body. For two years he was a member of the common council of New Britain, serving as chairman of the committee on Streets. He is a member of Harmony Lodge No. 20, A. F. & A. M. Our subject married Anna Maria Hayes, of East Windsor, a daughter of Solomon Hayes, and two daughters (twins) have been born to them, Fannie Louisa and Anna Maria. Anna Ma- ria died in infancy, in December, 1850; Fannie Lou- isa married F. H. Alford.

JOHN W. PURTILL, the well-known paper manufacturer of South Glastonbury, has been very successful in business, and, as a result of his ener- getic and progressive methods, has built up a flour- ishing village in the community.

The subject of our sketch was born Feb. 4, 1847, and, like many others of our liberty-loving citizens, comes from the land of the oppressed, Ireland ; he landed on the shores of the New World when little over one year old. His parents first settled in the beautiful town of Wapping, Conn., where the first eight years of his life in the New World were spent. In 1858 the family moved to Manchester, and liere our subject spent twenty-eight years in education and preparation for the different positions he so ac- ceptably filled in after life. At Manchester he at- tended the district schools, and after leaving them spent one year in St. Bonaventura College. On re- turning home he found employment in the Union Mills, Manchester, as mule spinner, and after two years spent in this preparatory work accepted a po- sition with the Mutual Manufacturing Co., in their cotton mills, as second hand in their spinning room, and by strict attention to the business of his em- ployers he rose by successive steps to overseer of both spinning and carding, and later became super- intendent of the entire works.

In 1882 the Manchester Warp & Yarn Co. was organized, with the subject of our sketch as agent and manager, Mr. Purtill continuing in this posi- tion until 1886, when an opportunity presented itself, in Glastonbury, for him to occupy a larger field. He bought the extensive cotton mills known as the "Wasuc Mills," and removing to Glastonbury has since cast in his lot with this enterprising com- munity. By remodeling the mills to harmonize with modern ideas, and by adding very largely of new machinery, the plant was put in condition to manu- facture specialties in cottons, which found a ready market, and the mills were run very successfully un- til November, 1888, when they were entirely de- stroyed by fire. After the fire Mr. Purtill trav- eled through the South for six months, investigat- ing the availability of that section as a cotton manu- facturing center, and, while impressed with the many advantages which the South offered to wide-awake men from the North in this new field, then just

JA Purtill

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opening, did not think best to sunder business ties, and leave associations that had been so dear to him for so many years, and so concluded to still con- tinue business at the old stand. In 1889 the pres- ent paper mills were erected, and they have been operated very successfully up to the present time.

In 1886 Mr. Purtill was married to Catherine Grace Moroney, of Hillstown, and to this union six children have been born : Willie, Gracie, Francis, Eddie, Leo and Agnes.

WILLIAM R. BEST was one of the well- known founders of the Best Manufacturing Co., of Windsor. He was born in Durham, England, April 16, 1836, a son of Robert and Sarah (Robinson) Best.

The father who was a paper maker in England, resolving to try his fortune in America, took passage in 1845 on a sailing vessel at Liverpool, for America, landing at New York after a voyage of four weeks and three days. The following year he was joined by his wife and four children. He found employ- ment in the Congress Mill at Rainbow, Conn., and the family first located at that place. Later they re- moved to Poquonock, where he was employed as superintendent of a paper-mill, later leasing the Con- gress Mill at Rainbow from William. H. Imley for five years ; but after operating it for two years, he sold the lease to Mr. Imley, by whom he was re- tained as superintendent for some time. After the failure of that gentleman in 1857, Mr. Best left Rainbow and went to Windsor Locks, where he leased a paper-mill, which burned down a few months later. Being thus unemployed, he one day strolled into Holbrook's factory, where globes and such school appliances were made. The globes were then made of wood and required much work. He conceived the idea of making them from pasteboard, and was the first to manufacture that style of globes for school purposes. For some time he was in the employ of Mr. Holbrook, and then went to Westfield, Mass., where he worked in the Chaflin mill. Subse- quently he started a new mill at West Springfield, Mass., and had charge of the department for pre- paring the rags for paper for some years, remain- ing there until old age necessitated his retirement. In early life he predicted the possibility of making paper from anything that had fibre, and his whole life was devoted to the art of paper making, being engaged in its manufacture before machines were used.

Being a skilled mechanic, a good workman, and reliable in all things, Mr. Best was seldom out of a position. He assisted in building the Congrega- tional church at Poquonock, helped to buy their or- gan, and always rented a pew in that church. In politics he was a stanch Republican. He died in October, 1891, at the age of seventy-seven years, and the mother of our subject departed this life in 1846, just two weeks after her arrival in America. By this union there were four children, William R. being the eldest. (2) John enlisted during the Civil

war in the 19th Conn. V. I., from Norwich, and was killed at Fort Steadman, near Petersburg; he left a widow and two children. (3) Robert enlisted at West Springfield, Mass., in the Ioth Mass. V. I., and was twice wounded, first at Fair Oaks, when he was sent to the hospital at Baltimore, Md., and later during the battle of the Wilderness. While serving as color sergeant he was taken prisoner, and for some time was confined in Libby prison and, later, in Andersonville, but on the approach of Gen. Sher- man's army, he, with others, was taken away and sent to Florence, S. C., where he died from starva- tion and cruelty. (4) Sarah is now the wife of Al- vin Foster, of Springfield, Mass. For his second wife Robert Best married a Miss Simmons, a na- tive of England, and to them were born two chil- dren: (1) Joseph, who died at the age of twenty- one years; (2) a daughter, who died at the age of three months, and at whose birth the mother died. The third and last wife was Jane Hemmingway, of Tariffville, Conn., who was also a native of England, and by her he had three children: George, a resi- dent of Orange, Mass .; Edwin, a resident of West Springfield, Mass. ; and Mary, now Mrs. Crozier, of West Springfield.

William R. Best began his education in England, and to a limited extent attended the district schools of Hartford county after his emigration to America. As a boy he was employed in the paper mills, with which he was connected until nineteen years of age, when he learned the cigar maker's trade at Poquo- nock under Mr. Hungerford, serving a three-years apprenticeship. Soon afterward, however, he re- turned to the paper-mill, and for some time alter- nated the occupations of cigar and paper making. In 1858 he went to New Haven, where he worked as a cigar maker for Burton Warner until his enlistment in the Union service during the Civil war. In Octo- ber, 1862, he joined Company A, 27th Conn. V. I., as a private, and his first engagement was at Fred- ericksburg. He participated in all of the battles and skirmishes in which the regiment took part until he was taken prisoner at the battle of Chancellors- ville, May 3, 1863. He was first sent to Libby prison, Richmond, Va., and later to Belle Isle, where he remained two weeks, and was then paroled, being sent to the parole camp at Annapolis. He rejoined his regiment at Washington, D. C., while they were on their way home, their term of service having ex- pired. He was honorably discharged July 27, 1863, and returned to New Haven, Conn., where he re- mained until coming to Windsor early in the year 1865. Here he first worked for Samuel Case in the cigar business, but in 1870 assisted in organizing a stock company, known as the Best Manufacturing Co., which is still in active business. At one time they employed a large number of men and made millions of cigars annually.

Mr. Best was united in marriage with Miss Helen Holcomb, a native of Windsor and a daughter of Elihu and Marian ( Phelps) Holcomb, whose sketch appears elsewhere. One child was born of

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this union: Augusta M., now the wife of Ralph C. Pickering, of Windsor. Mr. and Mrs. Best occupy a comfortable home on Pleasant street, Windsor, which was erected by our subject. A man of high character and undoubted integrity, the success that he has achieved in life is certainly well deserved, and he justly merits the confidence and respect so freely accorded him by his fellow citizens. Politi- cally he is a stanch Republican ; socially he is a mem- ber of Robert Tyler Post, G. A. R., of Hartford.

SHELDON J. GRANT. This veteran of the Civil war, for whom meritorious service in the field won a captain's commission, and who actively par- ticipated throughout the four-years' conflict, has been a prominent citizen of the town of South Wind- sor through the greater part of his long and event- fnl career.

NIr. Grant was born in the present residence of the Hackett family, Nov. 13, 1829, at Wapping, in South Windsor, the birthplace of every Grant in his line of descent from Tahan Grant, Jr. He is of the eighth generation in descent from Matthew Grant, who sailed from Plymouth, England, in the ship "Mary and John" in 1630, and settled first in Dor- chester, afterward coming overland with Capt. Ma- son in October, 1635. He finally settled in what is now Windsor. His lot was in the Palisado, and his house on the site of what is now the Hill school house. His sons, Samuel and Tahan, came across the river and took up a tract of fertile land in what is now East Windsor Hill, Tahan being the ancestor in the second generation of the subject of this sketch. From Samuel, Sr., Ulysses S. Grant was de- scended through his son Noah, grandson Noah, great-grandson of the same name, and the general's father, Jesse R. Sheldon J. Grant is descended in the following line from the emigrant ancestor Matthew : (1) Matthew, (2) Tahan, (3) Tahan, Jr., (4) Thomas, (5) Samuel Rockwell, (6) Gustavus, (7) Hiram, (8) Sheldon J.

Our subject is connected by marriages during these generations with most of the Old Windsor and many of the Hartford families. Among his direct ancestors are William Wadsworth, father of Capt. Joseph Wadsworth, who hid the Colonial char- ter in the Charter Oak; John Webster, who was gov- ernor of the Colony in 1656; John Porter, who traced his ancestry back to the time of Norman in- vasion of England. On his mother's side he is de- scended from Gov. Theopilus Eaton, first governor of the New Haven Colony. In the war of the Rev- olution five of his ancestors were engaged, one of whom, Capt. Matthew Grant, responded to the "Lex- ington alarm," and another, Joseph Hosmer, was or- derly to Gen. Montgomery, on the Quebec expedi- tion ; a third, William Avery Morgan, was a ser- geant at Bunker Hill.

Hiram Grant, father of our subject, married Mi- riam Hosmer, who died in 1830, when Sheldon J. was a boy, and for a time he lived with his grand- father, a resident of Wapping. When his father

married a second time, however, he returned home, and there remained until he was twenty-one years of age, receiving a good common-school education and assisting in the work of the farm.

When he reached his majority Mr. Grant began the manufacture of cigars, and that business he con- tinued successfully for more than ten years, or until the Civil war brought intense excitement and aroused an exalted patriotism throughout the North. At the first flush of the coming struggle Mr. Grant did not ennist, but when it became evident that a serious war was before the country he closed his business and arranged to go to the front. He en- listed, in September, 1861, in Company H, 12th Conn. V. I., which he helped to form, and mustered in at Hartford as a sergeant. The regiment joined the army of Gen. Banks, in service at New Orleans. While there Sergt. Grant was detailed for about six months as assistant superintendent of the contraband department, which looked after the colored refugees, about 30,000 of the former slaves being provided for by this department. Following the capture of New Orleans, Sergt. Grant, after the important work performed in this department, was tendered and accepted a commission as captain of Company C. 99th Regiment United States Colored Troops. He was with his company and regiment in Gen. Banks' Red River Campaign, participated in the battle of Pleasant Hill and other minor engagements, and his regiment assisted in the construction of the dam across the Red river. He was at the engagement of Fort Butler, which began at eight o'clock in the evening and lasted until four o'clock the next morn- ing. After the Banks campaign had ended, Capt. Grant was assigned with his regiment to Fort Jef- ferson, and thence, in December, 1864, was as- signed to the island of Key West. A month later his company and regiment, together with six com- panies of the Second U. S. Colored Troops, went on a campaign through Florida. In a skirmish at Nat- ural Bridge, Florida, he was wounded in the head by a minie ball, and was sent to a hospital at Key West; he had been there about six weeks when he was placed aboard a gunboat destined to Fortress Monroe, and was on his way home on a thirty-days furlough when Lee surrendered.

Receiving his discharge, our subject returned to his paternal home. His father died in 1866, and the Captain remained on the farm with his mother until his marriage, in 1867, to Miss Harriet K. Morgan. The same year he moved to the farm in South Wind- sor, where he has lived ever since, owning sixty- eight acres of land, and carrying on tobacco grow- ing extensively. To Mr. and Mrs. Grant have been born six children: Ralph M., an attorney at law; Minnie, wife of Everett Scott, principal of the Mel- rose high school; Carrie L., at home; Arthur S., a student at Wesleyan University ; Mary H. and Clar- ence S., deceased.

Capt. Grant was elected a representative to the State Legislature for 1879 and 1880. He is a Re- publican in politics, and for many years has been

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active in the local councils of his party, for more thantwenty years serving as registrar of voters. For the past two years he has been acting school visitor. In church work Capt. Grant has been active, hav- ing been a lifelong member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and for over thirty years leader of the church choir. Since 1867 he has filled the office of church trustee. He has also been a prominent Sun- day-school worker, having been superintendent for many years. Capt. Grant is a leading member of Robert Tyler Post, G. A. R., and ranks as one of the most prominent and public-spirited men of South Windsor.

OWEN R. HAVENS is a characteristic repre- sentative of the intelligent farming class which dis- tinguishes Hartford county, a man whose energy and practical gifts have brought him success in his chosen calling, and, united to his mental capabilities. have also made him prominent as a leader in the wider interests of public life.

The Havens family has long been identified with Hartford county, of which our subject's great- grandfather, Thomas Havens, was a native, born in Wethersfield. He married Lucinda Adams, of that place. William W. Havens, the grandfather, was also born in Wethersfield, and married Mary Water- bury, of Waterbury, Conn., by whom he had eight children, five sons and three daughters: William, John, Simeon, Thomas, Ebenezer G., Irene, Mary and Hulda.

Ebenezer G. Havens was born in Wethersfield, receiving his education in the common schools, and in his native place married Melvine M. Ruick, of Granby, Conn., by whom he had two children : Owen R. and Nellie M., the latter, who has not married, a trained nurse in Brooklyn, N. Y. The mother dying in 1861, the father subsequently wedded Jennie Mar- tin, and to that union were also porn two children : Leila and William. Mr. Havens was a stanch Re- publican in political sentiment, though he took no active part in party affairs. His religious connection was with the Congregational Church. He passed away in February, 1899.

Owen R. Havens was born Aug. 23, 1856, in Wethersfield. He was reared to farm life, remain- ing at home until he reached the age of twenty, and attended the schools of Wethersfield and Rocky Hill, acquiring a good, practical education. Commencing life on his own account, he embarked in the butcher business in New Hartford, Conn., continuing same some twenty months, at the end of which time he sold out. For a number of years thereafter he was engaged on the farm with his father during the summer season, and in the winter sold seed, travel- ing through the States of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut during the nine seasons he followed that business-five with Comstock & Ferry and four with Johnson. Robinson & Co. Having decided to settle down to agricultural pursuits, Mr. Havens purchased the farm in the town of Rocky Hill where

he has since resided, and which is now in a fine state of cultivation. He has devoted his land to general crops, principally hay and cereals, has bought and sold hay, and has also bred some fine horses, being an ardent admirer of good horseflesh. As a farmer lie stands second to none, and he takes no less pride in the appearance and neatness of his place than in the remunerative side of his calling, as his beautiful home and surroundings testify.

Mr. Havens' activity in politics, as a strong sup- porter of the Republican party, and his zeal for the public welfare, have given him a reputation and in- fluence which reaches beyond the bounds of his lo- cality. With the exception of one year, he has served since 1892 as first selectman, has been dele- gate to the Republican State Conventions since 1893, and in 1892-93 served in the State Legislature, dur- ing his term acting as member of the conimittee on Labor. His public services have been marked by clean business methods, effective, energetic and sat- isfactory to his constituents, and his high personal reputation has no doubt been the most potent factor in his success as a public man, winning him the con- fidence of his fellow citizens to a degree which 110 otlier quality could command.

On May 27, 1887, in Hartford, Mr. Havens was married to Miss Lillian W. White, who was born and reared in Hartford, daughter of William H. and Laura Parsons ( Wilder ) White. Mr. and Mrs. White had two children, the son, William, dying when four years of age, previous to the death of the father, who passed away when Mrs. Havens was five years of age. Mrs. White married again, be- coming the wife of Leonard Dannels, a miller and leading business man of Hartford, who died in 1892. She died in 1896. There were no children by that union.

Mr. and Mrs. Havens have traveled quite ex- tensively all over the United States, having jour- neved as far as California, and Mrs. Havens is a woman of intellect and many accomplishments. They unite with the Congregational Church at Rocky Hill. Mr. Havens is a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 4, F. & A. M., Hartford.

L. P. CLARK & SONS. The value and effi- ciency of sound business methods as applied to agri- cultural operations is clearly seen in the work of this well known firm, generally known as Clark Brothers, now noted as being among the most ex- tensive growers of tobacco and fruit in Windsor town. Their fine farm at Poquonock is conducted in a thoroughly scientific manner, and the results are seen in the large yields and superior quality of the crops raised, while enterprise and wise foresight enable the firm to so place their product upon the market as to bring satisfactory financial returns.

The senior member of the firm is an excellent representative of the sturdy New England type of farmer. He was born Aug. 19. 1825, in Windsor village, son of Harry and Chloe ( Riley) Clark. His schooling was limited, and when nine years old he

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began working for farmers in the neighborhood, white at sixteen he entered upon an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, which he followed for some years. During this time he was employed by the Hartford Carpet Co., at Tariffville, Conn., and for four years he worked in the United States Armory at Springfield, Mass. £ His mother's sister, Mrs.

Elisha Barber, died in the winter of 1861-62, leaving him a small farm, and in 1863 he engaged in agri- culture, which he has continued ever since, although at times he has done some work at his old trade. In the spring of 1865 he bought his present farm, then known as the Guy Griswold farm, and by hard work and judicious management he has made it one of the most productive estates of its size in the town. Notwithstanding a long life of industry he is well preserved, a slight defect in hearing being the only indication of age. In manner he is quiet and unassuming, and as a citizen he is held in high esteem, his success in business having been won by strictly honest methods. Politically he is a strong Republican, of Whig antecedents, but he has never sought or held office.

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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 51

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