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 57

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 57

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Philip J. Brideaux received his education in Eliz- abeth and Victoria Colleges, England, and at the age of eighteen years took charge of the home farm, his brothers having previously married. This farm he continued to operate until he migrated to America in May, 1889, with his wife, whom he had married in England Sept. 27, 1883. She was Miss May Eliz- abeth Prigg, born Jan. 27, 1856, daughter of John and Maria ( Bowles) Prigg, born Aug. 17, 1829, and Jan. 27, 1829, respectively.

Before coming to the United States Mr. Brid- eaux bred Jersey cattle for shipment to this country, and was the largest breeder of stock on the Island of Jersey. From the time he was ten years old his father would send him to all the fairs on the Island, which were considered very important events in the farm life of that place, and the boy thus developed quite an interest in cattle. He became an authority

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in judging cattle, and was frequently chosen judge in contests, being but twenty-four when he acted as judge in the principal fairs in England-the Royal Agricultural Show, the Roval Counties' and the London Dairy Show.

Mr. Brideaux determined before locating per- manently in the United States to acquaint himself more fully with the methods of American farmers. Accordingly he took charge of the dairy business on a large farm near Easton, Penn .. remaining there about a year. He then went to Lunenburg, Mass., where he held a similar position for two years, then went to New Britain, Conn., and took charge of one of the farms owned by Theodore Stanley, of Cedar Hill, where he remained a year. The four years' experience was enough. Mr. Brideaux purchased the farm of eighty-six acres in Newington, known as "Maple Grove," and resumed on his own account the breeding of fine cattle. It has been said that he has the finest lot of Jersey cattle in the county, or perhaps that are raised anywhere in the world. He justly prides himself in the unsurpassed quality of his stock, a fact that has been frequently attested. He keeps regularly from thirty to forty head of full-blooded Jerseys. Although competition has been very keen, he has always taken the best prizes, and at the Reading meeting (England) in 1887 he took first prize for the best cow of any breed with two of her offspring. At the Connecticut Dairy- men's Association Convention, held in 1898 at Hart- ford, Mr. Brideaux received the first prize or sweep- stakes for the best butter, having ninety-seven and. one-half points out of a possible one hundred. This was the first time in the history of the Association that the creameries were defeated in this contest. Mr. Brideaux also raises the first potatoes of the season.

Mr. Brideaux and his estimable wife are mem- bers of the Grace Episcopal Church of Newington, of which he is a vestryman. He is a member of the Grange. Mrs. Brideaux is a lady of education and culture, having graduated in 1876 from the Salis- bury ( Wiltshire) Normal Training College. She followed teaching until her marriage.

ALFRED MERRIMAN, a well-known and highly-respected citizen of Plantsville, now in the employ of the Atwater Manufacturing Co., was born on what is known as the Gad Andrews farm, in Southington, May 23, 1831.

Our subject traces his ancestry back to Nathaniel Merriman, who was born in England in 1614, and settled in New Haven as early as 1639. In October, 1665, he was confirmed sergeant of the New Haven train-band by the General Court. In 1672 he re- moved to Wallingford, and was there confirmed lieutenant of the train-band. On Nov. 1, 1675, he was captain of the Troop of Dragoons in New Haven county, and in 1691-92 was by vote continued captain. He signed the plantation covenant in New Haven in 1639; in 1673 was on a committee to fix the boundary between Wallingford and other towns ;

and was several times deputy to the General Court from Wallingford. He died there Feb. 13, 1694, aged eighty years. His son, John Merriman, was born in New Haven in February, 1659, and married for his first wife Hannah Lines, and for his second Elizabeth Peck. He was the father of Rev. John Merriman, who was born Oct. 16, 1691, and was married, Feb. 24, 1726, to Jemima Wilcox. He was a Baptist minister, and was among the first to join that denomination in Wallingford in 1729. In 1738 he became pastor of the Baptist Church at that place, resigned in 1750, and removed to the southwestern part of Southington, where he died Feb. 17, 1784. His son, John Merriman, was born in Wallingford, Sept. 12, 1728, and died in Southington, April 13, 1801. The latter was the father of Chauncey Merri- man, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, who was married Feb. 13, 1777, to Sarah Ives, of Cheshire. This worthy couple were the grandparents of our subject.

Anson Merriman, father of our subject, was born in Southington, Oct. 21, 1786, and was married Oct. 31, 1810, to Jerusha Bacon, daughter of Joel Bacon, of Westfield, Conn. She died March 18, 1822, and he was again married, Sept. 18, 1822, his second union being with Fanny Hubbard, of Sand- isfield, Mass. He at one time owned what is now known as the Gad Andrews farm, which he sold in 1832, and purchased a place on Shuttle Meadow, now owned by his son Josiah. At various times he engaged in manufacturing articles, such as brass combs, buttons wound with sewing silk, hames, brooms, carriage bolts, etc., and was the first to dis- cover and manufacture cement. He died Sept. 2, 1853.

Our subject was only about two years old when the family removed to the farm on Shuttle Meadow, now owned by his brother, and he acquired his edu- cation in the common schools of the neighborhood and at Lewis Academy. In early life he served a three-years apprenticeship to the carpenters trade with Lyon & Ballard, of Meriden, and later worked at the same as a journeyman for twenty-five years, but for the past twenty years has been employed as a machinist by the Atwater Manufacturing Co.

On Nov. 8, 1853, Mir. Merriman was united in marriage with Miss Ann Amelia Meserole, daughter of Jacob and Mahala Meserole, of Astoria, Long Island. By that union were born two children : Ida, who died April 28, 1874, aged nineteen years ; and Estella, wife of Eben White. The mother of these died Feb. 17, 1876, aged forty years, eight months, and for his second wife our subject, on Nov. 30, 1880, married Miss Henrietta Howell, also of As- toria. Both Mr. and Mrs. Merriman hold meniber- ship in the Plantsville Congregational Church, and are highly respected and esteemed by all who know them. Politically he is a Republican.

ELMER GEORGE CLARK whose home is on | Farmington avenue, West Hartford, has for many years been prominently identified with the agricult-

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ural interests of Hartford county, and in his labors has met with marked success.

Mr. Clark was born in New Haven, Conn., Nov. II, 1840, a son of Dorus and Atlanta ( Hotchkiss) Clark. The father was born at No. 7, Washing- ton street, Hartford, in 1807, and on Nov. 4, 1822, was bound out until twenty-one years of age to Durrie & Peck, at New Haven, to learn the book- binder's trade, which he subsequently followed for a time in that city, and later engaged in the grocery business there. He was a member of the New Haven Greys. There he married Miss Atlanta Hotchkiss who was born Sept. 22, 1810, and died Sept 22, 1862, and he died in New Haven, Oct. 14, 1882. He was struck by a train at Madison, Conn., and for two or three years before his death was un- able to attend to business. In his family were five children : Sheldon, who spent his entire life in New Haven, where his death occurred; Ellen S., a resi- dent of that city; Elmer, who died at the age of four years ; Elmer G., our subject ; and Adella M., wife of Thomas G. Shepard, of New Haven.

Dorus Clark, grandfather of our subject, was born June 7, 1763, a son of Josiah and Martha (Benton ) Clark, who were married July 13, 1762. Josiah Clark was born in 1737, and died May 13, 1818, while his wife was born in 1741, and died Nov. 8, 1815. They had only two children: Dorus and Eunice, the latter born May 23, 1765, and died Dec. 1, 1774. Dorus Clark followed the cabinet- maker's trade, and resided at the old homestead at No. 7 Washington street, Hartford. On Aug. 29, 1786, he married Clarissa Barnard, who was born in 1765, and died June 4, 1846; he died March 13, 1877. In their family were nine children: Chauncey, born Nov. 19, 1787. died April 20, 1792; Eunice, born Feb. 27, 1789, died Dec. 1, 1872; Martha, born March 17, 1791, died June 1, 1849; Margaret, born Feb. 9, 1793, died Nov. 26, 1869; Clarissa, born Dec. 1, 1794; Chauncey, born Oct. 18, 1798, died Dec. 26, 1845; Hannah, born Nov. 1, 1800, died Sept. 14, 1893 ; Dorus, born Nov. 4, 1807, died Oct. 14, 1882 ; and George, born Feb. 5, 1811, died June 28, 1889.

When only three years old Elmer G. Clark came to West Hartford to make his home with his aunt Hannah, wife of George Giddings, and his education was begun at the school in Quaker Lane. Later he attended the Webster public high school, in New Haven, and the high school at West Hartford. For a number of years he successfully engaged in farm- ing on the Giddings homestead in West Hartford, and on Nov. 1, 1890, removed from that place to his present home on Farmington avenue, West Hart- ford. He is the owner of 400 acres of fine farming land, which he has placed under excellent cultivation and successfully operates, being a thorough and systematic farmer, and a man of good business ability. Public-spirited and enterprising, he is con- nected with all matters pertaining to public improve- ment, and has most creditably filled the offices of selectman of the town and chairman of the board

of relief for many years. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Grange, and has been a member of Wyllvs Lodge, No. 99, F. & A. M., since 1864.

On Oct. 28, 1863, in South Windsor, Conn., Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Miss Frances Augusta Grant. They have one son, George Dorus, born Nov. 12, 1869, who has been connected with the United States Bank since seventeen years of age, and is also a member of Wyllys Lodge, No. 99, F. & A. M.

Mrs. Clark is a descendant, on both sides of the family, of Matthew Grant, who was born Oct. 27, 1601, and died in Windsor, Conn., Dec. 16, 1681. Her father, Horace Grant, was born at Wapping in 1807, a son of Elliott and Chloe ( Fenton) Grant, and spent his school days in the town of South Windsor. He was town clerk for many years, and also filled the office of justice of the peace. Re- ligiously he was a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church of South Windsor, and died in that faith, at Wapping, March 15, 1851. He was mar- ried in Wapping, Jan. 12, 1834, to Miss Lucina Grant, daughter of Gustavus Grant. She was born there, Jan. 11, 1813, and died there, Nov. 19, 1884. In their family were six children: Ida Eliza, born Oct. 12, 1835, was married, Feb. 10, 1856, to An- drew Jackson Fowler, now of St. Paul, Minn .; Jus- tina Mary, born Aug. 21, 1837, was married in South Windsor, Oct. 12, 1859, to William Ozias Bissell, who died at Baton Rouge, La., during the Civil war, and on Dec. 9, 1865, she married Edwin .M. Thrall, of Windsorville; Frances Augusta, born Nov. 1, 1840, is the wife of our subject ; Bradford Horace, born April 27, 1842, was married at Wap- ping, Dec. 31, 1863, to Josephine Maria Pierce, and died in Manchester, Conn., July 6, 1900; Frederick Sanford, born Aug. 5, 1844, was married, Nov. 30, 1870, to Mary Jane Talcott, and lives in Parkville, Conn .; and Laura Maria, born Oct. 16, 1847, was married, June 8, 1869, to Frank Avery, now of Manchester.

ARTHUR C. ROBERTS is one of the substan- tial citizens of the town of Windsor, and his career gives evidence of his ability and enterprise. As an agriculturist he has followed progressive methods, and in general business lines his dealings have been marked by a far-sighted acumen which his gained him the confidence of financiers.

Mr. Roberts comes of an old and highly-re- spected family, and his paternal grandfather, Judah Roberts, was a wealthy, prominent agriculturist of Litchfield county, residing at Hitchcockville (now Riverton), and also owned valuable real estate at Windsor. This worthy citizen was born in 1763, and died June 17, 1839, at the home of his son, Cicero, in Windsor, his remains being interred in Windsor cemetery. His wife, Mercy (Eno), was born in 1784, and died Aug. 30, 1841, at Windsor. They had a large family of children, as follows: Samuel resided near Detroit, Mich., for some years, and then removed to Colorado, where he died; he

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had three children, William, Walter and Mary, who reside at Roberts Landing, Mich. Eno (de- ceased) resided in New Hartford, Conn., and had three children, now living. Judah (deceased) had two children, who reside in the West. Cicero, our subject's father, is mentioned below. Thankful married D. C. Y. Moore, and died in Colebrook, Conn .; they had a family of four children, Osbert (deceased) ; John A. and Roberts C., living at Rob- ertsville, Conn ; and Marilla (deceased). Laura was twice married, and died in Wayne county, Penn. Esther became the first wife of Julius Ransom, of Windsor, and died near Honesdale, Penn., at the home of her sister ; she had one son, Roberts, now residing near Honesdale.

CICERO ROBERTS, the father of our subject, was born Aug. 16, 1821, at Riverton, where he grew to manhood, his education being obtained in the local schools. For many years he was engaged in teach- ing with a degree of success which stamped him as possessing a superior mind, of rare force of char- acter. About 1840, at the age of nineteen years, he removed to Windsor, where he taught in nearly every district, but he was especially identified with the schools of District No. 4. Many of the best citizens of the town were among his pupils, and entertain a grateful recollection of his efficiency as an instructor, his methods having been much in ad- vance of his time. For many years he devoted his spare time to farming, having located on a tract which had once belonged to his father, and in this he was also successful, at his death leaving a hand- some competence, gained in a manner which estab- lished for him a high reputation for integrity. He was noted for his energy and industry, which doubt- less hastened his death, and his public spirit was manifested in many ways, the remark being made when he passed away that "few could have been taken that would be missed as much as he." While he was not a strict Methodist in belief, he was an active worker in that church, contributing liberally and serving in various offices, including that of chorister, which he held for many years. In pol- itics he was a Republican, and voted regularly, but he never sought or held office. His death occurred Feb. 13, 1875, his remains being interred in the family lot in Windsor cemetery. Throughout his life he showed a great love for his home, and it was there that the best qualities of his character had full play. His first wife, Julia (Loomis), of Wind- sor, died Oct. 12, 1847, aged twenty-five years, leav- ing no children. He then married Miss Julia Stoughton, who was born in Windsor in 1824, a daughter of Harvey Stoughton, and died Dec. 7, 1865. His third wife, Celestia A. Gillett, born in 1829, died Aug. 8, 1889. He had two children, both by the second marriage: Emma Frances, who died in 1868, at the age of seventeen; and Arthur C., our subject. An adopted daughter, Mabel H., died Dec. 20, 1885, at the age of eighteen.

Our subject was born Nov. 6, 1859, at the old home between Windsor and Poquonock, and began his education in the schools of District No. 4, his father being one of his early teachers. For a time he attended the grammar and high schools of Hart- ford, and took a partial course at Hannum's Busi- ness College, in that city ; but as he was yet in his 'teens when his father died he was compelled to gain much of his knowledge of business methods through practical effort in the management of his estate. Having always assisted in the work at home, he was familiar with the details, and he is known as an excellent manager. In 1878 he re- moved to his present farm, which had been sold by his father, but was forfeited by the buyer through failure to complete the payments. He is interested in many business enterprises in his locality, being a leading stockholder in the Windsor Creamery, and has added to his inherited wealth through his judicious investments.

On Oct. 29, 1890, Mr. Roberts married Miss Nellie W. Clark, daughter of John L. and Naomi M. (Willes) Clark, well-known residents of Frank- lin, New London Co., Conn., and they have one child, Edith Clark, born Aug. 17, 1899. Mrs. Roberts is much esteemed among a large circle of friends, and is an efficient worker in the Con- gregational Church at Windsor, in which Mr. Rob- erts is prominent as a member of the Society's committee. Politically he is a Republican, but is not especially interested in partisan work, although he considers it his duty to vote at all elections. He takes keen interest in all educational affairs, and some time past has served as secretary and treas- urer of School District No. 6, of Windsor, and at present (1900) is one of the school visitors.

CHARLES ALLEN ATKINS, JR., was born in Mansfield, Tolland Co., Conn., Jan. 20, 1852, a son of Charles A. Atkins, who was a native of New Britain.

Charles A. Atkins, Sr., was of a disposition which may be said to have been at once roving and energetic. While yet a young man, with such cap- ital as he could command, he started in business on his own account as a peddler, driving a wagon through the towns of Connecticut, and finally ven- tured over the western line of the State and en- tered the City of New Yory. While engaged in disposing of his wares on Broadway, one of the passers-by on that thoroughfare, attracted by nis cries, paused to listen to his argumentative and exhortatory discourse. Perceiving that he pos- sessed the elements of a first-rate salesman in an unusual degree, the stranger introduced him- self, and opened a conversation. Mr. Atkins' interviewer proved to be a Mr. Wilson, of Wil- son, Mann & Co., New York, and as a result of the conversation he entered into a contract with the company to serve as one of their commercial travelers for a term of six years. At the expiration

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of that period he was admitted into partnership, the business relations extending over several years. They dealt wholesale in dry goods, and the business done was extensive in volume and profitable in char- acter. In 1852 Mr. Atkins withdrew from active connection with the firm, although still retaining his interest in the business, and that year, on account of ill health, returned to Mansfield, where he remained for a year, in an effort to recuperate his strength. In 1854 he returned to New York, but ill health pre- vented him from remaining there, and he returned the same year to his early home, where he continued to reside for ten years. He then went to Tolland county, remaining there for five years. The years between 1870 and 1872 he spent at Windsor Locks, from which place he removed to Hartford, where he engaged in the real-estate business, until his death, in 1887, after he had reached the age of sixty-nine years. Mr. Atkins married Caroline Phillips, by whom he had three children, Charles A., Jr., being the eldest ; Frederick resides in Hartford and John is a resident of Chicago, Illinois.

Charles A. Atkins, Jr., received his first educa- tional training in the district schools of the locality of his residence, supplementing same by attendance at the Connecticut Literary Institute, Suffield. After graduation from that school he went to Hartford, where he entered the employ of C. T. Marston & Co., a prominent wholesale lumber firm of that city. He remained with this firm for eighteen years, dur- ing the last five of which he held the responsible position of lumber buyer for the company. In 1888 he came from Hartford to Manchester, where he has since engaged in business on his own account as a dealer in all descriptions of lumber, shingles and laths, and his success has been most pronounced. Notwithstanding Mr. Atkins' business is located in Manchester, he still resides in Hartford, going and returning daily. He has just completed a beauti- ful and expensive home on Kenyon Heights, one of the most fashionable locations in the city.

On July 10, 1876, Mr. Atkins was married to Miss Lizzie West, of Rockville, and they have had six children-Edward and Florence and four who died in infancy. Mr. Atkins is a Republican in politics, socially belongs to the Manchester Wheel and Social Club, and is a highly esteemed member of the community. He has repeatedly been urged to enter the political field, but has steadfastly declined. feeling that his business, which has been constantly growing since its inception, requires his undivided attention.

CHARLES OTT, an industrious and respected farmer on Forbes Street, East Hartford, was born in Colchester, Westchester County, N. Y., April 23, 1861, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Trump) Ott.

Jacob Ott was born in Werchburg, Germany, in 1835, received but a limited education, learned the trade of weaver, and in 1857 came to America with the hope of bettering his condition in life; in this

hope he was not disappointed, as he at once found employment with a farmer in Westchester county, N. Y., at fifteen dollars per month. . In that county he married, in 1860, Mary Trump, a native of Bayern, Germany, who in 1850 embarked on a sail- ing-vessel at Havre, France, and after a voyage of twenty-eight days landed at New York City, where she was employed as a domestic until her removal to Westchester county some months later. In 1864 Mr. Ott brought his family to East Hartford, Conn., purchased the "Grassell" farm, and his family now comprises, beside Charles, our subject, who is the eldest born, three children: Mary, who is married to Henry Allen, and is living in Hartford; Emma, wife of Sherman Wrisley, of Glastonbury; and Carrie, still at the home of her parents.

Charles Ott was reared from infancy to man- hood in East Hartford. He received a common- school education, and assisted his father on the home farm until his marriage, May 8, 1884, to Miss Mary March, daughter of John and Mary ( Bantly ) March, and born Feb. 9, 1861. John March, her father, was born April 1, 1830, in Wittenberg, Germany, served four years in the army, sailed from Bremen and landed in New York, and thence came direct to Hartford county, Conn., where his brother-in- law, Anton Bantly, then lived. Here he married an old schoolmate, Mary Bantly, who was born in Wit- tenberg in 1831, and who bore him three children: Mary, Emma and John. The father passed away at Hockanum in 1877, but the mother is still living, at an advanced age, at the home of her daughter, Emma March, in the village named, where her son John also resides. To the marriage of Charles Ott and Mary March have been born six children : Emma, Mary, Charles, Grace, Elsie and Carrie.

In 1884 Mr. Ott purchased his present farm from Louis Frye, and here he raises from four to six acres of tobacco annually. He is very attentive to his vocation, and has as neat a place as there is in the neighborhood. In politics he is a Republican, but devotes more attention to his farm and farm topics than he does to politics and party gossip and discussion. He and his family attend the Methodist Church, and have an excellent standing in the re- spect of the community, Mr. Ott being quiet and unassuming in his demeanor, and strictly upright in every transaction, whether of a business character or otherwise.

EDWARD JOSEPH CARROLL, a highly- respected self-made resident of East Hartford, and one of its oldest Irish-born citizens, has raised him- self from a poor boy to a position of affluence through his personal exertions and his natural apti- tude for business, notwithstanding the fact that his early education was quite limited.

Mr. Carroll was born Oct. 3, 1835, in County Dublin, Ireland, a son of Joseph and Mary ( Hef- fern) Carroll, the former of whom came to the United States in 1841 and located in Scotland (now Burnside), Conn., where he found employment

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Medward I learroll

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in the Henry Hudson paper-mill, being a paper- maker by trade. Edward Carroll, the father of Joseph, was also a papermaker, came to America about 1845, and found employment in the same mill in Scotland, Conn. Later he removed to Rock- ville, Tolland county, where he died in 1850, at the age of sixty-nine years. His wife, who had borne the maiden name of Elizabeth Burns, died in Ire- land, the mother of nine children, of whom Joseph, Edward, Robert, Christopher, Martha and Bridget came to the United States-the boys being all paper- makers. One son, George, remained in Ireland until he reached adult age, and the others died young. Of those who came to America, Edward died in Rockville, Conn. : Christopher died at Wind- sor Locks; Robert died in Rochester, N. Y., where he had become a merchant ; Martha was married to James Malley, and died in Bridgeport, Conn .; and Bridget, who married Jonn Toppen, died at Windsor Locks.

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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 57

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