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 60

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 60

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Moses Ensign was married, May 20, 1820, to Miss Martha Risley, a native of East Hartford, born in 1790, a daughter of John Risley. Of this mar- riage the issue was four children: Charles A., . whose life sketch is given in full elsewhere; Elizur R., born Feb. 22, 1824; Jeanette F., born Feb. 19, 1828, who married Ira Anderson March 12, 1850, and is now deceased; and Owen L., whose name. opens this article.

Owen L. Ensign was born May 13, 1829, in the house built by his paternal grandfather on the spot where he now lives. As he was but a few months old when his father died, his boyhood days were passed at the home of his mother, his maternal grandfather, John Risley, making his home with her. He started to learn shoemaking under his brother Elizur, remained at it a year and a half, and then went to boating, running a sloop on the Con- necticut river and Long Island Sound for twenty years, when he sold his last vessel, which was named "Ida Lee," in honor of his first-born child.

On Dec. 20, 1855, Owen L. Ensign married Miss Anna Eliza Ensign, a daughter of Harry Ensign, and this union has been blessed with three children, of whom, however, the eldest, named Ida Lee, born June 9, 1859, died Aug. 14, 1860 ; the second child, also named Ida Lee, was born May 31, 1862, was married Dec. 3, 1890, to Charles M. Smith, whose biography may be found elsewhere, and has two chil- dren : Marion, born in 1893, and Owen Lee, born June 22, 1900; the third child, Grace Abbey, was born Sept. 28, 1867, and was married April 5, 1893, to James G. Harvey, who was born in Windsor Aug. 23, 1868, and now assists Mr. Ensign in operating the home farm. The family attend the Congrega- tional Church, and in politics Mr. Ensign is a stanch Democrat, but has never been an office seeker.

The entire life of Mr. Ensign has been passed in the town of East Hartford town, and worthily passed in the performance of the duties that have fallen to him. It is the citizen who quietly, conscienticusly

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and faithfully performs the labor of each day, as it passes, that is of the most value in a community, and to this class Mr. Ensign belongs. He has made many substantial improvements on his farm, and in 1875 erected his present fine dwelling, on the site of that of his grandfather, which he demolished, al- though there were many dear and tender reminis- cences clinging to it-but Mr. Ensign is a man of progress. He is a very genial gentleman, kind and charitable, and his wife is his equal in these amiable qualities, while his daughter, Mrs. Harvey, a mem- ber of the household, partakes largely of the happy disposition of her parents.

HANS OUTZEN HANSEN, a well-known dairyman and agriculturist of the town of Glaston- bury, owns a fine farm of one hundred acres near South Manchester. He is intelligent and observing, but has always been conservative in his methods, his wise management bringing excellent results.

Mr. Hansen was born July 8, 1848, in Schles- wig, in the southern part of Denmark, which territo- ry passed into the possession of the German Govern- · ment in 1864. The late John Peter Hansen, our sub- ject's father, followed farming there throughout his life, and his widow, whose maiden name was Annie Margretha Nelsen, was born there, and still resides at the old homestead. This worthy couple had the following children: Tilda married Anton Hansen, and resides in our subject's native town ; Hans O., our subject, is mentioned more fully be- low; Margareta married Theodore Aggerbeck, and settled in Chicago, Ill .; Sarah married Mr. Knar- hoi, and resides at Alsen, Schleswig; John, a blacksmith, married Magretha -, and settled in Chicago ; and Samuel married Miss Christine Hen- drickson, and resides in Chicago, where he is en- gaged in the bottling business.

Our subject received a common-school educa- tion in his native land, and gained a thorough knowledge of the details of agricultural work, be- ing often employed on different farms near his home. When he attained his majority he came to America, sailing from Hamburg on the steamer "City of London," of the Inman Line. The day after his arrival in New York he came to Hartford, where he secured employment at hauling clay and driving a dump-cart. Later he was employed in a screw shop on Sheldon street, and for two years he worked in Colt's factory. In 1874 he removed to Glaston- bury, and after renting his present farm from Henry Perkins for two years he purchased it. The place then comprised eighty-five acres, but he has since added fifteen acres. He makes a special- ty of dairying-although he also has a large tract under cultivation to small crops-and at present he keeps about twenty cows, and conducts an ex- tensive milk route in South Manchester. He is a Republican in politics, and an Episcopalian in re- ligion, he and all his family being members of the church at South Manchester.

In 1874 Mr. Hansen married Miss Mary Hansen, a native of Schleswig, daughter of Lawrence and Anna Lucy Hansen. Six children have blessed the union : Annie, born March 8, 1875; Magretha, born Jan. 10, 1877, who married Frank Root, a painter in Hartford; Louise. born March 27, 1879; Jennie, born March 17, 1881 ; Adella, born July 4, 1883; and Hansine, born June 5, 1886, who died Feb. 12, 1890.

HORACE PARSONS KINGSBURY is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Glastonbury, his genial manners and unassuming generosity win- ning him warm friends among all classes. Although past the age of threescore and.ten he is still active in business, and is a leading worker in the Con- gregational Church, with which he united many years ago.

Mr. Kingsbury's ancestors settled in Connecti- cut at an early date, and his grandfather, Joseph Kingsbury, was a well-known farmer there. This worthy citizen married Ruth Benton, and they had six children: (1) Sophia married Hon. Willard Hutchinson, of Coventry, a prominent citizen, who served as selectman and also representative. He was a farmer and school teacher by occupation. (2) Mary married Daniel Burnap, a farmer and jeweler in Andover. (3) William is mentioned be- low. (4) Joseph married Amelia Reynolds, a sister to our subject's mother, and lived upon a farm in Andover. (5) Harvey married Polly Wright, and settled on a farm. (6) Royal, who married Emily Foote, was a physician, and lived and died in Marlboro.

William Kingsbury, our subject's father, was born and reared in Andover, his education being se- cured in the common schools, and became a well- to-do farmer. His death, which occurred at his home in Andover in 1853, was the result of an ac- cident at the raising of a building. He married Susan Reynolds, a native of East Hartford, and daughter of Horace and Hannah (Bidwell) Rey- nolds, the former a well-known blacksmith in East Hartford, who did work for the army. William and Susan Kingsbury had eight children, of whom the eldest, William B., is unmarried, and resides on the home farm in Andover. Charles R., who died in 1896, was a farmer in Andover. Horace P. is the subject proper of this sketch. Henry M., twin of our subject, is mentioned below. Ann Eliza was an invalid, and died in early womanhood. Emily M. died in Andover unmarried. Ruth Sophia resides with her brother, William, in And- over. Mary Jane married Frederick Root, of Meri- den, where she died.

Our subject was born Sept. 29, 1820, in Andover, and his education was begun in a district school there. He also studied for a short time at a select school in Coventry. and on leaving school he taught for one winter. He then entered a "Yankee No- tion" shop in Coventry, where he was engaged in

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making ladies' spool stands for about three years. Returning home, he spent some time working out as a farm hand, receiving from ten dollars to twelve dollars a month, which was then considered very good wages. He went to Rockville to work in the "Frank Mill," which later burned and was rebuilt, and for a time he worked in the repair shop of the Collins Co., at Collinsville. He also worked in Holyoke, Mass., and in February, 1852, located at Glastonbury, entering the employ of J. B. Williams as driver of a team and general farm hand. In 1855 he went West, and was gone about five months, sight-seeing, and on his return he took a position in the shop of Mr. Williams, making shoe-blacking, ink, soap, etc. While there he enlisted, on Aug. 25, 1862, in Company G, 25th Conn. V. I., with the late Capt. Charles Talcott and Col. Bissell ; was in Louisiana under Gen. Banks, and took part in the engagements at Irish Bend and Port Hudson, being present at the surrender of the latter place, in July, 1863. Our subject returned to Hartford with his regiment, and was mustered out Aug. 26, 1863, one year and one day from the date of his enlistment, which had been for nine months only. He resumed his work for Mr. Williams, remaining two years, and for one summer was employed in Bristol in a gristmill. In 1866, failing health compelled him to return to Glastonbury, and he has ever since been in the employ of Mr. Williams. Mr. Kingsbury takes great delight in visiting the places of interest in his native country, and has made several ex- tended trips. He visited California in 1886, and has been to almost every G. A. R. encampment since that time. Although a stanch Republican, he has never cared for office. He is a member of Robert O. Tyler Post, No. 50, of Hartford, and is as un -- wavering in his loyalty to his comrades in peace as in battle. Learning that three soldiers were buried in the potter's field in Glastonbury, he quietly bought a lot and had their bodies removed to it ; as he never told of it the occurrence would have passed unknown to the world had it not been found out and revealed by others.

HENRY M. KINGSBURY has always followed farming, and resides in Coventry, Tolland county. He married Emily Watrous, and they have a fam- ily of eight children: Nathaniel, who is married and living in Michigan; Mary E., married; Will- iam H .; Annie A .; Charles S. ; Jennie W .; Horace L .: and Joseph H. The father is a Republican in politics, has held various minor offices, and is a member of the Congregational Church.

WINFIELD S. CHURCHILL. Generally speaking, the farmers of Rocky Hill are noted throughout Hartford county for their intelligence and progressive spirit. Among the most prominent of these is Winfield S. Churchill, who was born in the town of Wethersfield, June 1, 1861.

Justus Churchill, his father, was captain in the

Governor's Horse Guards. He also was a farmer, and besides attending to his work as an agricultur- ist conducted a meat and produce market in the town of Wethersfield. He married Abigail Harris, of that place, the issue of the marriage being six children, of whom Winfield S. was fifth in the order of birth. The others were Charles M., at present a resident of Parkville, Hartford county ; Clara, who married Samuel Ashwell, of Rocky Hill ; Frank, a biographical sketch of whom may be found elsewhere; Prudence, now Mrs. W. R. Griswold, of Rocky Hill ; and Belle, who died in her fourteenth year.

Winfield S. Churchill was raised upon the pa- ternal farm and educated at the Wethersfield high school. At the age of sixteen, he left his father's roof to take up his home with his brother Frank, a farmer at Rocky Hill. There he lived until he attained his majority, when, his skill and integrity being recognized by Justus L. Bulkley, the latter proffered him the position of foreman and manager of his extensive farm, which post young Churchill consented to accept. This responsible post he has ever since filled, discharging its duties with an ability and fidelity alike satisfactory to Mr. Bulkley and in the highest degree creditable to himself. Through industry and sound judgment he has ac -. quired a comfortable competence. He owns a charm- ing home in Rocky Hill, and is erecting another fine residence in that town, and is also the owner of a handsome dwelling at No. 18 Francis avenue, in Hartford.

On Nov. 10, 1886, Mr. Churchill was united in marriage to Miss Sarah W., daughter of Henry C. Robinson, of Rocky Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Churchill are the parents of one child, a son named Justus H., now eight years of age. Our subject is a strong Republican, and enjoys a deservedly high reputation as one of the most enterprising and successful young business men of the town in which he resides.

NATHAN A. DOOLITTLE, a forger of King bolts for the Atwater Manufacturing Co., of South- ington, was born in North Haven, New Haven Co., Conn., March 27, 1844, a son of Abram and Marah (Moss) Doolittle. He is the eldest of their four chil- dren, the others being Julia, wife of Frank Butler; Marcus ; and Wilson. The father was born in Ver- mont, and about 1836 removed to North Haven, Conn., where he engaged in farming, and also op- erated a saw and cider mill. He died there at the age of forty-seven years. He was a son of Michael Doolittle, whose later days were spent in North Haven, where his death also occurred. Our sub- ject's maternal grandparents were Samuel and De- light Moss, of North Haven.

Reared in North Haven, Nathan A. Doolittle re- ceived a limited education in the public schools of that town, and remained at home until twenty-five years of age. In 1870 he came to Southington, where he has since been in the employ of the At-

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water Manufacturing Co. He is an expert work- man, and commands the confidence and respect of his employers.

Mr. Doolittle was married, Oct. 1, 1868, to Miss Ida A. Payne, a daughter of Edwin B. and Gertrude (Miles) Payne, of Cheshire, and to them has been born one daughter, Lottie, now Mrs. Wallace Hills. Mr. Doolittle is a member of the Congregational Church, and socially of the Knights of Pythias, and politically is identified with the Democratic party. He has held the office of constable for several years, and is faithful in the discharge of both public and private duties.

ERNEST WILDER MILDRUM, a prominent business man of East Berlin, was born on the old Mildrum homestead at that place Feb. 8, 1866, and is a son of William A. Mildrum, of East Berlin, who is mentioned more fully elsewhere.

Our subject is indebted to the district schools of the community for his educational privileges, and on leaving school, at the age of sixteen years, he entered the employ of his father, who was then a contractor in the "divider" department of the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co.'s works. Subsequently he formed a partnership with his father, and four years later, when the latter died, April 25, 1892, he took complete charge of the department. He has also done contracting in other lines for the same company, and at times has employed as many as twenty-five men. As a business man he is en- ergetic, industrious and reliable, and commands the confidence and respect of all with whom he comes in contact.

On June 24, 1891, Mr. Mildrum was united in marriage with Miss Mary Galpin, who was born July 24, 1868, a daughter of Henry N. Galpin, of Berlin, and they have one child, Elizabeth, bort: May 7, 1894. They are influential and prominent members of the Congregational Church of Berlin, and take an active part in its work, while Mr. Mil drum has been a member of the Standing or Church committee for two different terms. At elections he supports the men and measures of the Repub- lican party.

AARON JOHNSON. This energetic and pro- gressive young merchant of South Manchester is a native of Sweden, having been born at Hal- land Koinge, Nov. 6, 1857. His father was a well- to-do farmer, and his early educational advantages were good, his attendance at the common schools being supplemented by a course in an agricultural school.

Mr. Johnson remained upon his father's farm until he reached the age of twenty-two, when he concluded to try his fortune in the New World, where so many of his countrymen had found happy homes and became substantial citizens of the great republic. Accordingly, in 1879, he crossed the ocean, going from New York at once to South Manchester,

Conn., where he soon found employment in Cheney Bros.' silk mill, remaining with that firm for two and one-half years. Another year he spent as clerk in a hotel in the same village ; and at the end of that time he entered the store of W. H. Cheney as sales- man. In 1890 he was made superintendent of the grocery, crockery and woodenware department, which position he continued to hold until 1895, Mr. Cheney having meanwhile, in 1895, sold the business to C. D. Strickland & Son. In the fall of 1895 Mr. Johnson embarked in business on his own account. He began his venture in the most modest way, open- ing a grocery store in the basement of his dwelling house, at No. 17 Chestnut street, employed but one clerk, and made part of his deliveries in a basket. But he was industrious, economical, courteous and honest, and his trade grew steadily from the begin- ning. Within six months it had reached such pro- portions that he found it necessary to greatly en- large his quarters, and in the fall of 1896 he erected the building which forms the main portion of his present store, a structure 32×45 feet in dimensions. The number of his customers continued to increase, however, and the following year ( 1897) he greatly enlarged this building, making it ninety feet deep, and adding a second story. Here he carries an ex- tensive, well-assorted stock of both staple and fine fancy groceries, employing eight clerks, and having five teams, which are almost constantly engaged in delivery. His store occupies the site on Chestnut street below Monument Park, where he started in such humble fashion but little more than four years ago.

In 1885 Mr. Johnson married Miss Christina Magnell, and they have had four children. Ger- trude, Florence, Mildred and Maud. Our subject is generous and public-spirited, always ready to lend his aid to any enterprise looking to the good of his town or county. He is a Republican in poli- tics, and in religious connection a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church. The story of a career such as his is full of instruction and encourage- ment, telling, as it does, how much may be accom- plished through firm resolve, aided by perseverance and integrity. As Mr. Johnson looks back upon his past life he can say, with pardonable pride, that he is self-made in the best sense of that too often per- verted term. When he arrived in South Manchester his entire worldly possessions amounted to but twen- ty-eight dollars. To-day he owns the finest store of its kind in Manchester, besides a handsome modern residence and other valuable town property, all earned through his own toil and energy.

RUFUS WILLIAM MORSE. For the past forty years the subject of this sketch has had a contract in the tinners' machine department of the Peck, Stow & Wilcox shops, and in that of one of their predecessors. No more extended statement would be necessary to emphasize the mechanical

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skill, the fidelity, the scrupulous care and the good judgment of our subject. He is one of the oldest and most faithful employes of that manufacturing company, the reputation of which has become world- wide.

Mr. Morse was born in Holderness, Grafton Co., N. H., Oct. 4, 1823, son of Stephen Nois and Elizabeth (Gordon) Morse. The father was born in Pembroke, N. H., and by occupation was a paper- maker, junior member in the firm of Cheney & Morse. To himself and wife were born seven chil- dren, of whom our subject is the second: Clymena Butler (deceased) ; Rufus W .; Stephen Ambrose (deceased) ; Elizabeth Augusta (deceased ) ; Herman Ladd, a resident of East Bridgewater, Mass .; Sophia Ann, a resident of Quincy, Mass .; and Charles Myron (deceased). Stephen Nois Morse was one of the early Abolitionists, and one of the most highly-respected citizens in the community in which his active and useful life was spent.

The education of Rufus W. Morse was received in the district schools. His first employment was as an apprentice to the wagonmaking trade, but the labor was hard and, moreover, too quiet for the active temperament of our subject. Ile aban- doned it for the machinist's trade, for that purpose entering the shops of the Lowell Machine Co., where he remained three years, completing his apprentice- ship.

Mr. Morse then rounded out his practical knowl- edge and skill by a little journeyman travel. For eight months he worked at his trade at Gloucester, N. J., then went to Boston, Mass., and was then employed successively at Laconia, N. H., one year ; Lawrence, Mass., two years ; Colt's Armory, Hart- ford, Conn., two years; and East Bridgewater, Mass., one year. Our subject then settled down. He secured a position with the Roys & Wilcox Co., at East Berlin, where he has ever since been employed. He came to East Berlin in December, 1854, and has remained there ever since. When the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co. was organized Mr. Morse continued in the service of the new company as a machinist. For the past forty years he has had a contract in the tinners' machine department.

Mr. Morse married, Aug. 27, 1849, Miss Lu- cinda Pease Cox, who was born Aug. 6, 1827, at Holderness, N. H., daughter of William and Eliz- abeth ( Folsom) Cox. To our subject and wife were born two children, both of whom died in in- fancy. In politics Mr. Morse was formerly a Whig, and is now a Republican ; he has never sought office. He is a stanch advocate of temperance, having been a member of the Sons of Temperance. . Both him- self and wife are members of the Free Baptist Church. By his work every man is properly judged. This criterion, applied to the life career of Mr. Morse, places him in a most favorable light. He has unostentatiously yet enthusiastically taken up his chosen work and exhibited a rare fidelity and sterling

worth throughout his many years of residence at East Berlin. He holds the high esteem and respect of his fellow citizens, and counts as his close and lasting friends all who know him well.

JOHN GEISELMAN, one of the most respected farmers of East Hartford, was born in Witten- berg, Germany, Sept. 8, 1837, and is a son of John and Mary Geiselman, who were farming people in moderate circumstances.

John Geiselman, father of our subject, was born in Wittenberg in 1793, was a farmer in a small way, and was noted for his honesty. He married Mary Bentley, who was born in 1799, and was the widow of Joseph Bentley, by whom she had three children : Mary B. and Joseph, who died in Germany; and Anton, who came to America, served in a Con- necticut regiment during the Civil war, and died in East Hartford July 4, 1897. By Mr. Geiselman she had children as follows: Pauline, who died in Germany; John, the subject of this sketch ; Peter, still in the Fatherland; Frances, wife of Anthony Bantley, who med in Hockanum in 1891; and Agatha, who was married to Joseph Gallon, and died in Hartford in 1893.

John Geiselman, whose name opens this article, attended school, in accordance with the German law, until fourteen years of age, when, his father having died in 1850, he started out to work on neighboring farms for a recompense of from six to eight cents per day, the price usually paid to farmer lads of his age. At the age of twenty years he was drafted into the German army, served two years and four months, and was then furloughed, subject to recall at any time to fill the regulation term of service, eight years. On May 13, 1866, Mr. Geiselman, with his wife and son, Simon, who was born in Wittenberg, Germany, Oct. 26, 1864, em- barked on the steamer "Teutonia," at Bremen. The trip across the ocean was made in fair weather, and the serenity was marred only by a fire which destroyed one of the masts of the vessel, and caused some agitation among the passengers, but with 1,400 souls on board the "Teutonia" arrived safely at New York City. Thence Mr. Geiselman and wife came to Connecticut by steamer, landing in Hart- ford, where Mr. Geiselman found, by pre-arrange- ment, his half-brother, mentioned above, and also found employment in Colt's Armory, where he worked nearly a year. He then learned stone-cut- ting under Gallon & Cup, with whom he worked 1in- til the dissolution of the firm, after which, having become an expert, he was retained in the employ of Joseph Gallon, the successor to the business, until he has worked, in all, fifteen years at his trade.

On June 16, 1863, Mr. Geiselman was united in marriage to Miss Agatha Cameron, daughter of Martin and Teresa ( Wilhelm) Cameron, who were the parents of six children: Christen and Ignace, who died in Germany; Mary, still living in that

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country ; Wendell and Elizabeth, who died there; and Agatha, Mrs. Geiselman. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Geiselman were born five children: Simon, born Oct. 26, 1864, married Cora A. Hills, and has one child, Samuel H., born March 4, 1891 ; he is a prosperous farmer in East Hartford. John, born June 7, 1867, married Fannie E. Erving, and has two children, Elsie M., born May 18, 18-, and Ruth S., born Dec. 5, 18 -; they are also liv- ing in East Hartford. Elizabeth, born Jan. 28, 1868, died Oct. 26, 1872. Bertha, born Nov. 15, 1870, died July 4, 1872, in Hartford, where her remains were interred. Louisa, born Jan 1, 1874, was mar- ried to Charles Bartlett, of Windsor, in 1895, and has one child, Irene A., born June 7, 1896. The family attend the South Congregational Church. Mr. and Mrs. Geiselman occupy their own modern dwelling, which also shelters Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett and their child. Mr. Geiselman has been very in- dustrious and temperate, and has won for himself not only a comfortable competence, but the esteem of all his neighbors.

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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 60

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