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 63

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 63

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S. F. Wethwell

Jane A. Wetherell

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members of the Congregational Church. Their family consisted of ten children, of whom Francis N. was drowned at the age of two years; Esther, widow of Ralph Cutler, makes her home in the town of Manchester; Simeon F., subject of this sketch, is next in the family ; Elizabeth is the widow of A. B. Snow; Ralph is a resident of Clarks, Nebraska; Horace is deceased ; Wells is a farmer in Manches- ter town; Mary, deceased, was the wife of William Tuffs ; Henry W. is deceased ; Martha is the widow of Gardiner Wells.

Simeon F. Wetherell was about eight years of age when his father returned to Manchester, and here he received his primary education, the first school he attended being at Manchester Green. He subsequently attended a school taught by Nathaniel Keeney, in the little house located where the main street crosses the railroad in the village of Manches- ter ; the old school building is still standing, back of the Catholic church, in a good state of preservation. Later he was a pupil in the select schools taught by Chauncey Keeney and Mr. Sedgewick (in the base- ment of the old church at Manchester Center), en- joying unusual advantages for those days. At the age of nineteen he began working in the paper mill of Peter Rogers, a small establishment, remaining there about a year. For four years after leaving this employ Mr. Wetherell was engaged in the Good- win paper mills, at Buckland, then known as the Hollow mills, and in 1845 he went to Middletown and rented a paper mill, which he conducted for two years on his own account. His next venture was at Colchester, where he erected a mill of his own, and he carried on business there until 1859, when he sold out and went to Andover, Conn. He worked in the paper mills there for a few months, in 1860 re- turning to Manchester, where he entered the employ of Lewis Bunce & Sons, in the Bunce paper mills, continuing with them until 1869. For the year fol- lowing he was with Fitzgerald & Sons, and then passed one winter in Jersey City, New Jersey.

At the end of this time Mr. Wetherell began business for himself again, purchasing a mill at Rainbow, Hartford Co., Conn., in partnership with Monroe House and Edwin Bunce, with whom he was associated in the manufacture of paper until 1882, when he sold his interest in the concern. Not long afterward he bought the home in Manchester which he has ever since occupied. In 1883, in company with Frank W. Carpenter, his son-in-law, he pur- chased the Rockdale paper mills, at Newington, Hartford county, and this co-partnership lasted un- il February, 1899, when Mr. Wetherell sold his share in the establishment to Mr. Carpenter, and he has since leased the old mill at Rainbow, where he formerly carried on business for so many years. He s now giving his time to the management of same, und though in his eightieth year he is as active and energetic as a man in his prime, enjoying perfect health and mental faculties unimpaired, though he has always been an indefatigable worker, sparing

neither labor nor pains to make his enterprises suc- cessful. He is thoroughly conversant with all the details of the business in which the active years of his life have been passed, and his familiarity with every- thing concerning the making of paper has given him a wide notoriety and high standing among man- ufacturers in this State. During the fifty-eight years of his experience in this line he has made an enviable reputation as a business man of sound judgment and unquestioned integrity and reliability, a good manager and a friend of progress, champion- ing and adopting any changes in process or mate- rial which he is convinced will improve his product or benefit the trade.

Mr. Wetherell has a strong personality, is firm in his likes and dislikes, and has gained a position of influence in his special line which is not always the lot of even a veteran to attain. He has always been devoted to his business interests to the ex- clusion of outside affairs, but he has taken a public- spirited interest in the welfare of his town and county, and though never an office seeker or holder he has supported every movement which in his opin- ion would promote the advancement of the commu- nity or benefit the citizens of Manchester in general. Ilis contributions to church work and religious en- terprises have also been liberal, though he is not connected with any denomination. In political sen- timent he was originally a Whig, changing with the party when it was merged into the Republican or- ganization.

Mr. Wetherell was married Feb. 4, 1844, to Miss Jane A. Vorra, who was born Aug. 31, 1820, daugh- ter of Erastus and Aurelia (Evans) Vorra, and they have four daughters: Maria J., who lives with her parents; Emma, widow of Arthur H. Rogers, and Minnie, widow of Alfred Bidwell, both living in Manchester; and Ellen M., wife of Frank W. Carpenter, a paper manufacturer of the town of Newington, as above mentioned. On Feb. 4, 1894, Mr. and Mrs. Wetherell celebrated their Golden Wedding quietly at home, surrounded by their family.

ISAAC PORTER, a grandson of Rev. Isaac Porter, and a son of Richard S. Porter, was born at Granby Dec. 20, 1833. Both his father and grandfather were natives of the same town, the grandfather being pastor of the Congregational Church in that place for over forty years. Thie wife of Rev. Isaac Porter was Mary Smalley, a daughter of Rev. Dr. Smalley, the first Congre- gational minister to settle in New Britain. The only child born of this union was Richard S. Por- ter, who became the father of Isaac, whose name appears at the head of this paragraph.

Richard S. Porter attended the common schools of his time, and was for two years a student at Yale College. At the end of his Sophomore year he left the university to associate himself with Stephen W. Cornwell in the manufacture of tools,

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tongs and other varieties of hardware, at Granby. After carrying on this business for several years, he removed to New Britain, and entered the employ of the Stanley Company, with whom he remained until, some years later, he received an appointment in the postoffice as an assistant to Marcellus Clark. While filling this position he met with a railroad accident which resulted in the loss of one of his legs. He was a man of sterling character, and held in high esteem by his fellow citizens, who elected him to the office of town clerk, which he filled with fidel- ity and distinction for many years. In his religious

creed he was a Congregationalist. Politically he was a Whig prior to the formation of the Republi- can party, after which he affiliated with that organi- zation, and was an intense party man. By his mar- riage with Betsey Cornwell he became the father of five children: Alfonso Cornwell, Frederick Whit- tlesey, Mortimer Stanley, Isaac and Mary Smalley. Alfonso C. Porter went to Chillicothe, Ohio, when a youth of fifteen years, and there engaged in the lightning-rod business. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted at Cincinnati, and was made quar- termaster. He died soon afterwards. Frederick WV. was also a soldier, serving during the last eight- een months of the struggle in the First Connecticut Artillery. He is at present one of the successful mer- chants of New Britain, and is engaged in business as a jeweler. Mortimer Stanley's inclination was for the life of a sailor, and when he was but little more than sixteen years old he shipped before the mast. At the age of twenty-one he had risen to be a captain of a vessel owned by a Manchester firm, engaged in the West India trade. In 1861 he sur- rendered this position to offer his services to the Government, and was commissioned ensign on the flagship of the West Gulf Squadron. At the close of the war a lieutenancy in the navy was offered him, but he declined the honor, preferring to return to the merchant marine. He died in Australia, in 1871, after having sailed all over the world.

Isaac Porter received a good elementary educa- tion in the English branches at the common schools of Granby, New Britain and Stockbridge, and for a time attended the academy at the last-mentioned place. As a boy he made the most of the advantages offered him, and in later life he has supplemented early deficiencies in his education by a well-directed course of reading. At the age of sixteen he left school to learn the trade of a jeweler and engraver with the old firm of Churchill & Stanley, and served an apprenticeship for five years. On becoming a journeyman he went to Philadelphia, where he opened an establishment of his own. In 1857 he removed to Cincinnati, where he entered into part- nership with his brother, Frederick W. Two years later the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Porter re- turned to New Britain to take charge of the shops of the New Britain Jewelry Co. In 1861 he went back to Philadelphia, where he became overseer for a

Mr. Barber. In the spring of 1862 his patriotic spirit prompted him to emulate the example of his elder brothers, and he, too, enlisted in the military service of the United States, joining the 68th P. V. I. This regiment was known as the Scott Legion, and he was made orderly sergeant of Company A. His record as a soldier is a story of heroism, bravery and endurance. For gallantry at the battle of Fred- ericksburg he was made second lieutenant, and after passing through the fearful carnage on the hotly- contested field of Chancellorsville he was put in command of his company. He led his men at Get- tysburg, where he lost his left arm. He was to have been regularly commissioned as captain, but for some unexplained reason he never received the coveted parchment. It was not long, however, be- fore he returned to the army, becoming a member of the 22nd Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps, which participated in the defense of Washington against Early's attack. The regiment with which he was connected was sent to Troy, N. Y., and later to In- dianapolis, to assist the State forces in enforcing the draft. A raid was made upon a disaffected county in Indiana, and two or three hundred men arrested. The regiment also did duty at Columbus, Ohio. Our subject was sent home on waiting orders, and in the spring of 1866 went to North Carolina, where he remained until discharged, in 1867.

On his return to New Britain Mr. Porter was appointed deputy sheriff, and filled that position for three years. From 1874 to 1891 he was a city con- stable, and in 1876 he was elected town clerk. The latter office he held, through one re-election after another, for fifteen years, his nomination coming from the Republican party, of which he is a stanch and active member. For twenty-nine years his fa- ther and himself held office in New Britain, a record of honorable service which is not easy to surpass. No breath of scandal ever sullied the reputation of either father or son, who walked among their towns- men with erect head and a "conscience void of of- fense."

On April 25, 1892, Mr. Porter founded the firm of Porter & Allen, to conduct business as genera auctioneers and dealers in second-hand goods. Ir December, 1893, the name of the firm was changed to the I. Porter Co., and on March 3, 1894, the I Porter Co. was incorporated, Mr. Porter becoming secretary and treasurer. The concern does a very large business, and is one of the largest and mos prosperous houses in the city.

Mr. Porter is a magnificent specimen of the self made man who does not ruin the architecture b egotism or selfishness. He is acute, yet charitable shrewd, but generous ; unaffected, although urbano He is a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 20, A. F & A. M., and of Giddings Chapter, in both of whic he has been prominent. He also belongs to Stanle Post, G. A. R. He married Elizabeth, a daughte of Deacon Daniel Fairchild, of Stockbridge, Mass

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and they have two children : Nellie, the wife of Ed- ward F. Huntington; and Alfonso Briggs, who is connected with his father in business. The family attends the Congregational Church.

FRANK R. UPSON, a member of the well- known firm of Upson Brothers, prominent grocers of Southington, was born in that town Oct. 14, 1855, and is of the eighth generation in direct descent from Thomas Upson, the founder of the family in this county. The latter resided in Hartford as early as 1638, and his name appears among the first settlers and proprietors of Farmington. He was married, in 1646, to Elizabeth Fuller, and died July 19, 1655.

(II) Stephen Upson, son of Thomas, was born in Farmington about 1650, and was married Dec. 29, 1682, to Mary Lee, daughter of John and Mary (Hart) Lee, of Farmington. Prior to his mar- riage he settled in Waterbury, Conn., where he held the offices of surveyor and grand juror, and was three times deputy to the General Court. He died in 1735, his wife on Feb. 15, 1715.

(III) Thomas Upson, son of Stephen, was born March 1, 1692, and was married in 1732 to Rachel Judd, daughter of Deacon Thomas Judd. He lived in Waterbury until February, 1722, when he removed to that part of Southington which is now Wolcott. He died Sept. 2, 1761, his wife on July 13, 1750.

(IV) Amos Upson, son of Thomas, was born March 17, 1734, and was married Feb. 27, 1766, to Sarah Woodruff, daughter of Hezekiah and Sarah (Macon) Woodruff. She died in April, 1798, and for his second wife he married Mrs. Dorcas Alford, of Kensington. He died July 8, 18IO.

(V) Amos Upson, son of Amos, Sr., was born in Southington March 14, 1771, and was married May 8, 1793, to Keziah Root, daughter of James and Mercy ( Woodruff) Root, of Southington. She was born in 1771, and died Feb. 13, 1859; he passed away April 17, 1819.

(VI) Levi Upson, son of Amos, Jr., was born in 1795, and married Lovisa Todd. They lived in what is known as the Marion District of South- ington, and were the paternal grandparents of our subject.

(VII) Capt. Andrew Upson, the father of our subject, was born May 18, 1825. In 1845 he en- tered Yale College, and was graduated in 1849. The same year he began teaching school at Salem, N. J .; the following year taught at Wellsboro, Penn., and later taught a short time in Corning, N. Y. On April 18, 1850, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Lewis Gridley, and to them were born four children: Ida M., wife of Wilbur A. Taylor; Frank .R., our subject; William C., who is his partner in business; and Mary B., deceased. In 1852 the father located on his farm in South- ington, and two years later represented the town

in the Legislature. When the Civil war broke out he was decided and outspoken in his loyalty to his country, and in 1862 joined Company E, 20th Conn. V. I., receiving the appointment of lieu- tenant. He accompanied his regiment to the field, and was engaged in the various movements which mark its history. At the battle of Chancellorsville he was taken prisoner, and spent two weeks in Libby prison, at the end of which time he was paroled. After rejoining his command he went West with the regiment, and was soon promoted to a cap- taincy. While guarding the depot at Tracy City, Tenn., he was wounded by a band of guerrillas, and died Feb. 19, 1864. His career, though brief, gained for him a conspicuous and honored place in his country's history.

Root Gridley, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was born July 9, 1798, first married Sarah Frisbie, and second Betsey Lewis, of Farmington, the latter being the grandmother of our subject. She died May 19, 1875, and he passed away July 9, 1853. His father, Asahel Gridley, was born in Southington May 22, 1764, and was married Sept. 3, 1787, to Hannah Root, daughter of Elisha and Lucy (Curtiss) Root. She died Feb. 22, 1794, at the age of twenty-nine years, and he on May 20, 1818. He was a son of Joseph Gridley, of South- ington, who was born Oct. 30, 1716, and died Jan. 8, 1805. Joseph's parents were Joseph and Hannah (Lewis) Gridley, of Farmington, and later of Southington. Joseph Gridley, Sr., died Dec. 7, 1770. He was a son of Samuel and Mary (Hum- phrey) Gridley, of Farmington, and a grandson of Thomas Gridley, a native of England, who came to the New World at an early day, and resided in Hartford, Conn., where he was married Sept. 29, 1644, to Mary Seymour. They removed to Farm- ington, Conn., and from there to Northampton, Mass., where he died.

(VIII) Frank R. Upson, whose name intro- duces this sketch, has always made his home in Southington, and he was educated in its public schools and at Lewis Academy. In 1873 he entered the employ of J. F. Pratt, as clerk, and served in that capacity with him and others until 1880, when he formed a partnership with F. C. Slate, as Slate & Upson, in the dry-goods and grocery business in Southington. The following year he purchased Mr. Slate's interests, and engaged in business alone until 1884, when his store was entirely destroyed by fire. After a settlement was made with the in- surance companies he formed a partnership with his brother William C., under the firm name of Upson Brothers, and in June, 1884, embarked in the grocery business, in which line of trade they have since successfully engaged.

On Oct. 31, 1883, Mr. Upson was united in mar- riage with Miss Hattie A. Holcomb, a daughter of Edwin B. and Saralı (Soper) Holcomb, of Wind- sor Locks, Conn., and they have three children: Leila H., Bessie M. and Allan G. Mr. Upson is a

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stalwart supporter of the Republican party, and has served as burgess of Southington. He is a member of the First Congregational Church; is secretary of the board of fire commissioners; is a member of Atlantic Encampment and Eureka Lodge, No. 75, I. O. O. F .; R. A. Neal Lodge, No. 56, A. O. U. M .; and S. S. Woodruff Camp, No. 21, S. of V.

GEORGE NELSON GAMBELL (deceased) was one of the best-known and most respected citi- zens of Suffield, Hartford county, where he was born June 9, 1816, a son of Hiram and Clarissa (Newton) Gambell, the former of whom was a na- tive of Vermont, the latter of the town of Suffield. Hiram Gambell became a farmer and cigar-box manufacturer in Suffield.

George N. Gambell was educated in the district schools of Suffield, and in his early youth assisted his father in the manufacture of cigar boxes ; later he passed several years on the Connecticut river, ply- ing, as a boatman, between Hartford, Conn., and Springfield, Mass. Later he engaged in the manu- facture of cigars, finally settling down to farming and tobacco raising, and, as a hard-working and fru- gal man, met with success, from a financial point of view, in all his enterprises. In politics he was a Democrat, but never accepted public office. He was a good Christian and a strictly temperate man, was upright and charitable, and respected by all who knew him for his honorable dealings and his moral character.

Mr. Gambell first married Miss Agnes Hunter, a native of Scotland, whose father, James Hunter, also a native of Scotland, located in Thompsonville, Conn., where he was engaged as a merchant. To this marriage came one child, Sarah A., who was born Oct. 19, 1854, and on Oct. 7, 1874, married Charles T. Remington, son of Stephen and Emeline (Kent) Remington. They have four children liv- ing: George Nelson, Clara Emma, Estella May, and Ruth Gambell; their third child, Edith Lilliam, died at the age of four months. Mr. Remington is a farmer by occupation. The family are members of the Baptist Church of Suffield. Mrs. Agnes Gambell passed away in Suffield, Dec. 25, 1854, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Thompsonville, and her remains were laid to rest in the Suffield cemetery. In 1856 Mr. Gambell mar- ried Miss Margaret Hunter (a half-sister of his first wife), who was born in New York City, and is a daughter of James and Rachel (Boyd) Hunter ; to this union no children were born.

Mr. Gambell was called from earth Dec. 28, 1891, his death taking place on his farm, and his remains were interred in the Suffield cemetery. He was a most affectionate husband, as well as a noble- hearted man, and his memory is still fondly cher- ished by his widow and the large circle of friends in Suffield who were proud of his acquaintance dur- ing his long and useful life. His widow, who still

makes her home on the old farm, is a consistent member of the Thompsonville Presbyterian Church, a lady of refinement and charitable impulses, and honored by all who know her.

WILLIAM T. HARTMAN. The large in- dustries of New England are complex organisms, requiring in their various departments and various. kinds of employment talent of a new and unusual order. Adapability has been one of the salient traits that have been required in the growth, and the men who are at the head of the various depart- ments may be considered to be possessed of unusual ability. Among them is the subject of this sketch, who is the superintendent of the lock department of the P. & F. Corbin Works.

Mr. Hartman was born in New Britain July 31, 1857, son of Charles A. Hartman, a native of Saxony, Germany. The father was born Sept. 19, 1822, and was educated in his native land. There he learned the trade of dyer, which he followed after his migration to this country for some years in a carpet factory in Philadelphia. In the early 'fifties he came to New Britain, and here he be- came a tinner and galvanizer. He was in service during the Civil war as a member of Company D, Twentieth Conn. V. I., and after the expiration of his term of enlistment returned to New Britain, where he continued to reside until his death, in August, 1889. He was a member of the Congrega- tional Church, and, fraternally, of Harmony Lodge, F. & A. M. Mr. Hartman married Catherine Mack, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and they had three children : Katie S., who married Platt D. Osborne; William T .; and Frederick A., who is | now a resident of St. Louis, Mo. The mother is still living.

William T. Hartman attended the public schools of New Britain until at the age of fourteen years he had partially completed the high-school course. Had he remained he would have graduated before the age of sixteen. He has continued study since his school days ended, and by self-education has ma- terially supplemented the excellent schooling he received in his boyhood. After two years spent in various kinds of employment Mr. Hartman, Jan. 17, 1873, was appointed timekeeper with P. & F. Corbin, and held that position for about five years, or until shortly before he had attained his ma- jority. He was then promoted to the position of foreman in the lock department, having under him about fifty men. He had by diligent application fit- ted himself for a responsible position, and attained it before he was twenty-one years old. However, he did not at this point cease his efforts to become more fully the master of the situation, but added to his knowledge constantly, and he is now super- intendent of the entire lock department, and has charge of from 125 to 150 men. In a way Mr. Hartman may be said to have created the respon- sible position which he occupies. He has grown

Sw P. Sambell

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into it, and has applied to the perfection of the work the information with which he has supplied himself.

In politics Mr. Hartman has always been a Republican. He cast his first Presidential ballot for James A. Garfield, and has taken an active part in local and State politics, for years serving as a member of the town Republican committee, of which he was elected chairman in September, 1898. He took an active part in the State campaign of that year, and is one of the leaders among the younger men of his party in New Britain. In 1893 he be- came a member of the council, filling a vacancy, and in 1894-95 he was chairman of the committee on Supplies. Fraternally he is a member of the New England Order of Protection and of the United Workmen, both of New Britain.

Mr. Hartman was married, May 24, 1882, to Miss Minnie A. Haslam, who died Nov. 30, 1888. He subsequently wedded, Feb. 19, 1890, Electa C. Andrews, daughter of Charles W. Andrews, of Whitneyville, Conn. By his first marriage Mr. Hartman has two children: Clarence, born June 27, 1883; and Gertrude, born June 15, 1886. By his second marriage he has also two children: E. Kathryn, born July 21, 1891 ; and Bernice C., born Nov. 8. 1894. The entire family belong to the South Congregational Church.

MORTIMER J. VINING, a well-known farmer and tobacco grower of the town of East Windsor, Hartford Co., Conn., was born in South- wick, Hampden Co., Mass., Oct. 22, 1849.

Truman Vining, grandfather of subject, and also a native of Southwick, was born in 1796, and mar- ried Mary Steer, who was born in 1794. Truman Vining was for many years a peddler of Yankee notions throughout the Southern States, and died in 1875; his wife survived him until 1879, and the mortal remains of both lie interred in Southwick. They left two children: Rhoda, who was married to Willis Dibble, and lived in Southwick : and Ward, fatlier of subject.

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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 63

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