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 68

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 68

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at Hartford, and saw active service in the engage- ment at Irish Bend, siege of Port Hudson, in which vicinity he remained six months, and later at Donaldsonville. He was honorably discharged Aug. 26, 1863, at Hartford, with the rank of sergeant, but was acting orderly sergeant. Fraternally Mr. Cook is a Freemason, holding membership with Manchester Lodge, No. 73, of Manchester, of which he is past master, having served three years as master of that body.

On Sept. 17, 1867, Mr. Cook was married to Miss Hattie J. Richardson, and they have had children as follows : Edith, born Feb. 4, 1870, is a teacher in the kindergarten schools of East Hart- ford. Frank Aaron, born March 24, 1872, is fore- man in the plant of the Hartford Cycle Co., and re- sides in East Hartford. Richard G., born Sept. I, 1873, is a machinist in the machine shops of the Colt's Arms Co., Hartford ; he is a first-class ma- chinist and has had charge as foreman of a num- ber of shops in different cities. Arthur, born Oct. 24, 1874, is proprietor of the Lyman Spring Soda Works, bottles mineral waters and soda in all flavors, and also owns a steam cider-mill, manu- facturing pure apple cider and cider vinegar.

JOSEPH E. CARROLL, one of East Hart- ford's leading contractors and builders, has for more than thirty-five years successfully followed carpentering in the town of his nativity and youth. He has become one of the town's best citizens, building up a most excellent business, and dis- playing those sterling traits of character which are ever the foundation and the guide of good citi- zenship.

Mr. Carroll was born at Burnside (then Scot- land), Hartford county, March 21, 1848, son of Joseph and Mary (Heffern) Carroll, a sketch of whose lives appear elsewhere. Our subject at- tended the district schools and later the East Hart- ford high school, when Joseph O. Hurlburt was one of its teachers. His school days ended when he was sixteen and he immediately began an ap- prenticeship of three years at the trade of joiner, with his brother-in-law, Patrick Garvan. For his services he received the first year fifty dollars and board ; the second year one hundred dollars and board ; and the third year one hundred and fifty dol- lars and board. At the conclusion of his apprentice- ship he began working for his old employer at two dollars and a half per day. From an ordinary workman, young as he was, Mr. Carroll soon be- came the foreman for his brother-in-law, at a sal- ary of four dollars per day. He developed rare ability in planning and directing work, and in the disposition of his men. After remaining with Mr. Garvan for twelve or more years, our subject be- gan business for himself. He has since then been actively engaged in contracting and building houses, the field of his operations having been mainly in East Hartford, but he also does considerable work

in Hartford. Mr. Carroll employs a number of men, and oversees the work. He has built many of the homes in East Hartford. His own sub- stantial home on Central avenue, East Hartford, he built in 1876, when there were only three houses on that street, and there he has ever since resided. He is a skillful mechanic, and his work has al- ways been strictly honorable and honest. His sterling and upright character, combined with his energy and ability, have made his business highly successful, and he has accumulated a comfortable competence.

Mr. Carroll was married, Nov. 23, 1874, to Miss Lizzie Maher, of Manchester, who was born in that town Sept. 15, 1852, daughter of Patrick Maher. To Mr. and Mrs. Carroll have been born ten children, three of whom died in childhood ; those surviving are Louis J., a student at the Hartford Seminary ; William E., Mabel A., John F., Alice G., Robert L. and Mary J. Mr. and Mrs. Carroll are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church at East Hartford. In politics our subject is a stanch Democrat ; he has served as assessor in his native town, and in every sense commands the confidence of the community in which he lives. Influenced in his childhood by the teachings of a good Chris- tian mother, taught early in life the distinction between right and wrong, he has fulfilled the promise of his careful training and become one of the town's good citizens, establishing a name and a character above question, evincing a commendable interest in enterprises of public welfare, winning that competence which his active mind, his in- dustrious habits, and his sterling principles made doubly sure. He was a poor boy, but has become one of the town's most prominent residents.

JULIUS G. DICKINSON, a well-known gen- eral merchant of East Granby, is a man whose sound common sense and vigorous, able manage- ment of his affairs have been important factors in his success, and with his undoubted integrity of character have given him an honorable position among his fellow men.

Mr. Dickinson was born in Marlboro, Hart- ford county, Jan. 1, 1855, and belongs to a family of English descent, which is one of the most highly respected in that section. Nathan Dickinson, the great-grandfather of our subject, lived in Marl- boro, and was a farmer, occupying the farm now owned by Mrs. Elizabeth Dutton, sister of our sub- ject. Nathan Dickinson was married three times. By his first wife, who died shortly after marriage, he had no children. By his second wife, Mehitable, he had three children : Mehitable, who married (first) a Mr. Chapman, (second ) a Mr. House and (third) a Mr. Hollister; Sarah, who died single ; and Nathan, who located in New York State, and whose descendants are scattered throughout the West. Nathan Dickinson, Sr., for his third wife married Hannah Bancroft, of Windsor, by whom he

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had four sons and one daughter, namely : Wol- cott, who married Hannah House, of Glastonbury ; Jesse, who married Anna Welch, of East Hampton ; Seth, grandfather of our subject; Abner, who married Abigail Curtis, sister of Mary, above, and lived in East Glastonbury ; and Hannah, who mar- ried a Mr. Carrier, and located in Pennsylvania, where there is now quite a settlement of the de- scendants.

Seth Dickinson, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Marlboro, and there followed farming all his life, becoming one of its most sub- stantial citizens and an extensive land owner. His father had given each of his sons a tract of his large farm, and Seth Dickinson lived on the land thus inherited. He and his wife died in Marlboro, and were buried there. In politics he was a Demo- crat. He married Mary Polly Curtis, a native of South Windsor, and the representative of an hon- ored New England family, and to them were born nine children, namely : Mary, who married Har- vey Tryon, of Glastonbury, and passed the latter years of her life in Marlboro; Jerusha, who mar- ried Harvey Loveland, of Glastonbury, and lived in Marshfield, Vt. ; Clarissa, who died single; Syl- vira, widow of Elias Brown, of Willimantic; Seth B., who married Mary Howard, of Lyme; Nancy, who died young; Jemima, who married Chapman C. Hall, of Chatham, where she now lives ; Cypha, who married Horace White, of Stonington; and Nathan R., the father of our subject.

Nathan R. Dickinson, our subject's father, was born on the old homestead Dec. 26, 1824, and re- ceived a liberal education in the common schools of his day. During his minority he remained at home with his parents, and his entire life was de- voted to agricultural pursuits. He became the owner of the old homestead, comprising 300 acres, which he successfully operated, and in connection with general farming engaged in the cultivation of tobacco on a small scale and followed lumbering quite extensively, dealing principally in railroad ties and rough lumber. In Middlesex county, Conn., he was united in marriage, in September, 1846, with Miss Mary Rich, who was born Feb. 8, 1826, in Chatham, daughter of Russell and Phœbe (Cole) Rich. Children were born to Nathan R. and Mary (Rich) Dickinson as follows : (1) A. Elizabeth, born May 24, 1847, married Francis A. Dutton, a farmer of Marlboro, who died Dec. 30, 1894, and she is now living in Marlboro. (2) Edward, born April 22, 1849, married Ella Sellew, and is a farmer of Glastonbury. (3) Charles, born Aug. 28, 1851, married Fannie Verguson. He is a meat dealer in Ellington. (4) Julius G., our subject, was fourth in the family. (5) William, born July 3. 1857, married Lillie Bigelow, and lives in Windsor. (6) Lillian, born Sept. 5, 1859, died March 6, 1860. (7) Russell, born April 12, 1862, married Julia Aniac, and is a resident of Santa Anna, Cal. (8) Ida Belle, born Dec. 22,

1864, married Edwin Loomer, of Andover. He is now a merchant in Plainfield. The mother died Sept. 22, 1870, the father on May 9, 1879, and both were laid to rest in the Methodist Episcopal cemetery in Marlboro. They were sincere and faithful Christian people, members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and their lives were in harmony with their professions. Politically the father was identified with the Democratic party, and always stood firmly by its principles.

During his boyhood and youth Julius G. Dick- inson attended the common schools, where he made the most of his advantages, and by reading and study in subsequent years he has become a well- informed man. He was reared on the home farm, and remained with his father until twenty years of age, when he began working by the month at farm labor, receiving thirty dollars per month. During the four years he was thus employed he managed to save a little money, and after his mar- riage operated rented land in East Hartford town, where he remained ten years, successfully engaged in the cultivation of tobacco. Being thrifty and economical, his capital had steadily increased dur- ing that time, and in 1889 he came to East Granby and purchased the store of Charles Roadstrand, a general merchant of that place. This was his first experience in the mercantile trade, but by close application and a determination to succeed he soon mastered the details of the business, which he is now conducting so successfully. He receives a liberal share of the public patronage, and has horses upon the road delivering goods. Possessing good business ability and sound judgment, he has by industry, energy and perseverance risen from a poor farmer boy to a successful merchant, his store being valued at several thousand dollars. During Presi- dent Harrison's administration he served as post- master at East Granby, and is now a member of the school board. Prior to 1888 he was a Democrat in politics, but he is now an ardent supporter of the Republican party.

In 1879, in East Hartford town, Mr. Dickinson was united in marriage with Miss Mary Persons, a native of Herkimer county, N. Y., and a daugh- ter of Henry Persons. She is a lady of good edu- cation, and has proved a faithful helpmeet. They have two children: Addie and Henry, both at- tending school.

ELI HAYES (deceased) was born on Long Hill, South Windsor town, in 1811, a son of John and Sibyl (Starcks) Hayes, the former of whom was by calling a farmer.

Eli Hayes was reared to farm work, and, as his parents died when he was young, he began to work out early. Although he was small, and the youngest of a large family, he possessed an im- mense amount of grit and endurance, earned a fair wage, and saved it. In 1849 he made a trip to California with a party from Hartford, but as his

ELI HAYES.

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health was not good he returned to Connecticut, and for several years thereafter was employed in the powder mills at Hazardville and elsewhere. In later life he resumed the vocation of his earlier years, farming. He also bought and sold several crops of tobacco late in life, and invariably made money in his every undertaking. He was a man of few words, but of deep thought and sound judg- ment ; cautious and prudent in making investments, weighing each trade thoroughly in his mind and acting afterward with celerity, one way or the other.

In 1890 Mr. Hayes wedded, in South Windsor, the widow of James R. Mills. This estimable lady, who is beloved by all who know her, bore the maiden name of Eliza J. Starkes, and was born in South Windsor, a daughter of Horace and Betsey (Bidwell) Starkes; her mother was born in East Hartford, and descended from a well-known and respected pioneer family of that town. To the first marriage of Mrs. Hayes were born two children : Helen, now the wife of R. F. Painter, of East Hart- ford; and Walter. By her second marriage there was no issue.

Mr. Hayes never took any particular interest in the politics of his town, county or State, but ad- hered strictly to his private business, in which he made money, if he did not gain any special glory. He was of slight build, never very robust, but never- theless wiry and sinewy. He was very abstemious, never tasted a drop of spirituous liquor, and never used tobacco in any form, except in handling it as a dealer. From a poor boy he raised himself to a position of solidity in the ranks of the well-to-do farmers of his town, and died in South Windsor May 25, 1893, an honored man. His widow, a very pleasant lady, lives on Bragg street, in East Hart- ford, respected by all who know her.

W. W. LOOMIS, a well-to-do agriculturist of the town of Windsor, is one of the most highly-es- teemed citizens of that locality. While he is out- spoken and independent, his jovial disposition wins and maintains friendship, and his influence is a recognized factor in the life of the community where he has resided from childhood.

Mr. Loomis is of the eighth generation of his family in this country, and an account of his an- cestry will be an appropriate introduction to his personal history. (I) Joseph Loomis, the first an- cestor of whom we have a definite record, was born about 1590, and became a woolen draper at Brain- tree, England. He sailed from London April II, 1638, in the ship "Susan and Ellen." and landed at Boston July 17, 1638. In the fall of 1639 he came to Windsor, where he bought land in 1640, and he died there Nov. 25, 1658.

(II) Nathaniel Loomis, the fourth son and sixth child of Joseph, was born in England, and came to America with his father. In 1654 he was made a freeman in Windsor, and he was admitted to the church there on May 3, 1663. He died

Aug. 19, 1688. His wife, Elizabeth Moore, was a daughter of John Moore.

(III) David Loomis, son of Nathaniel, was born Jan. 11, 1668, and married Lydia Marsh on Dec. 8, 1692.

(IV) Eliakim Loomis, the next in the line of descent, was born July 27, 1701, and died March 29, 1753. He married Mary Loomis Dec. 4, 1735.

(V) Simeon Loomis, our subject's great-grand- father, was born May 29, 1741, died July 31, 1778. He was married March 23, 1769, to Keziah Moore, who died Feb. 7, 1778. Their children were: Anna, Job, Amelia, William, Elihu and Keziah.

(VI) Job Loomis, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born March 29, 1771, and died Aug. 10, 1842. He married Polly Allen, and children as follows were born to them: Simcon, Willard, Simeon (2), Harris, Lester and Henry. Job Loomis was a large man, and his sons were of fine physique. For many years he followed the wheel- wright's trade exclusively, his boys cultivating his farm for him.

(VII) Willard Loomis, our subject's father, was born Jan. 12, 1805, and became a farmer and brickmaker by occupation, beginning on his own resources. His death occurred Dec. 16, 1840, from the effects of an attack of mumps, and his remains were interred in Windsor cemetery. Politically he was a Democrat, but he never aspired to office. Although comparatively young at the time of his death, he had gained an excellent reputation as a business man and a citizen, and his loss was much lamented among a large circle of friends. He mar- ried Miss Abigail Warner, who survived him with two children: (1) W. W., our subject, and (2) Abigail M. The latter married Gilbert Loomis, and died in Omaha, her remains being brought back to Windsor for burial. Her two sons, George W., of Omaha, and Charles M., of Denver, Colo., hold responsible positions in the employ of the Burlington & Missouri River Railway Co. Our subject's mother was born Sept. 15, 1807, at the present homestead, daughter of George and Abby G. (Mills) Warner. After the death of her hus- band she resided at the Warner homestead, dying there at the advanced age of seventy-three years. Her father, who was a tanner by occupation, for- merly owned the homestead in partnership with his brother, Loomis Warner, and they built the old portion of our subject's present residence ; later they divided the property, George continuing to occupy the old house.

(VIHI) W. W. Loomis was born June 27, 1830, at his present homestead, and was but ten years old when his father died. His education was be- gun in the Stony Hill school, Miss Ellen Mather being his first teacher, and he still recalls with affectionate esteeni the instructors whose strict but wholesome discipline made his school life of last- ing value to him. Later he attended Windsor Academy for a time, but as his widowed mother

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and grandmother needed his assistance he was fre- quently sent out to work among neighboring farm- ers and brickmakers from the age of eleven years. He was clever and strong, and being also indus- trious and faithful was able at sixteen to compete with any man in those lines of work, and while still in his 'teens he took charge of his present farm, then owned by his grandmother Warner. In early manhood he purchased a tract of land adjoining the old homestead, going in debt for it, and this is still a portion of his farm. At the time of the building of the depot at Windsor, for the steam railway, he was appointed by Elijah Alford as the first station agent, but the work was not congenial, and after six months he gave it up in order to devote his attention to agriculture. He is a leading mem- ber of Poquonock Grange, and has always been a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, serv- ing at times in local offices, including that of select- man. He and his wife are prominent in the work of the Congregational Church at Windsor, and for some time he was on the social committee.

On Feb. 14, 1863, Mr. Loomis married Miss Lucy M. Wilson, of Windsor, who died March 17, 1872. His second wife, formerly Miss Eliza- beth B. Lincoln, was born June 25, 1845, at Oakham, Mass., daughter of Emory and Eliz- beth F. (Keep) Lincoln. She received an ex- cellent education, having studied at the famous school at Mt. Holyoke, Mass., and for twelve years previous to her marriage taught successfully in the Young Ladies Seminary at Woodbury, N. J., and in the schools of Berkley, Clarksboro and Jeffer- so1, N. J., and Windsor, Conn. Mr. Loomis has had five children, all by the first marriage: Ed- win C., a meat dealer at Windsor : Delia W., who died at the age of seventeen ; Fannie B., now Mrs. Arthur Mather, of Hartford; Walter M., a farmer in Windsor; and Lucy, who died in infancy.

PHILIP S. LIPPS (deceased) was in his day one of the most 'respected and popular foreign-born citizens that ever resided in Suffield, Hartford coun- ty. His birth took place Dec, II, 1830, in Alsace, then a province of France, but now belonging to the German Empire. He was one of seven children born to Samuel Lipps, who brought his family to America when Philip S. was quite young and set- tled in New York City, where he followed his trade of tinsmith and where Philip S. secured a good English education in the common schools and after- ward learned cigarmaking.

After having thoroughly mastered his trade, Philip S. Lipps came to Suffield, Conn., and for several years worked for Henry Endress, as a jour- neyman. In 1865 he started a cigar manufactory on his own account, and this he personally super- intended for thirty-three years, or until his death, doing a very extensive and lucrative business. He became one of Suffield's best known citizens, took a deep interest in the welfare of his adopted town

and its people, and, although a strong Republican in politics, was content to work for the success of his party at the polls, without expectation of re- ceiving official position as a reward. He simply acted from political conviction. He was a man of excellent moral character, was temperate in habit, industrious in his business, well informed in the history of his adopted country, and kept posted on the current events of his day.

In 1851, in North Granby, Conn., Mr. Lipps. married Miss Emeline Church, a native of that town, and a daughter of David and Emily (Hol- comb) Church, also natives of Granby, but to Mr. and Mrs. Lipps no children were born. The death of Mr. Lipps took place Nov. 10, 1898, at his home, his death resulting from cancer of the stomach, after months of intense suffering, through which he was faithfully attended and nursed by his loving and devoted wife. He was a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and also of Apollo Lodge, No. 69, F. & A. M., of Suffield. He was an affection- ate husband, a true friend, and a good citizen, and his loss was deeply deplored by his disconsolate widow and a host of sorrowing friends.

Mrs. Lipps, who is a lady of excellent business tact, now conducts the business left to her care by her husband, and is most successfully managing it. She is greatly respected by all who know her for her intelligence, business ability and determina- tion of character, as manifested in the control of her business.

AARON J. LOOMIS. Executive ability of a rare order has characterized the business career of this well-known merchant, banker, manufacturer and general business man, whose success as an organizer of large enterprises has been demon- strated in different parts of the United States. A handsome competence, gained by his own fore- sight and enterprise, permits his retirement from active business at a comparatively early age, his interests being so well arranged that his personal attention is not required. After spending many years in close application to his various enterprises elsewhere, placing them upon a sure footing, he has returned to the home of his boyhood at Wind- sor, where he is held in high esteem as a citizen. Wholly free from false pride, he is always ap- proachable, and he enters readily into any move- ment that gives promise of benefit to his town.

Mr. Loomis was born in Windsor Dec. 12, 1841, and is a member of one of the oldest families of that town, being a descendant of Joseph Loomis, who was born in Braintree, England, about 1590, and settled in Windsor in the fall of 1639.

(II) Joseph Loomis, the eldest son of this noted pioneer, was born in England, and accompanied his father to Windsor, where he died June 26, 1687. He married (first) Sarah Hill and (second) Mary Chauncey, who became the mother of Stephen.

(III) Stephen Loomis, through whom the line

Comeline A. Leiper

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of descent was continued, was born Sept. 1, 1668, and died in 1712. On Jan. 1, 1691, he married Esther Colt, who died Nov. 6, 1714.

(IV) Stephen Loomis, Jr., was born July 21, 1693, and died in 1769. On Dec. 7, 1715, he mar- ried Mabel Hoskins.

(V) Charles Loomis, our subject's great-grand- father, was born Feb. 8, 1718. He was married, July 3, 1750, to Constant Eggleston.

(VI) Aaron Loomis, grandfather of our sub- ject, was born March 21, 1768, and died March 31, 1839. He married Betsey E. Marshall, and re- sided upon a farm in Windsor.

(VII) Collins Loomis, our subject's father, was born Dec. 4, 1804, and always resided at the old family homestead. In his youth he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed throughout his life in connection with the management of his farm. He was a large man, possessed of great physical strength, but did not live to the allotted limit of man's years, his death occurring Nov. 24, 1858, when he was aged fifty-four. As a citizen he was progressive, placing a high estimate upon schools, and as he had a comfortable income his children were given good educational privileges. Politically he was a Democrat, but not especially active in partisan work, preferring to devote his energies to his private affairs. On Oct. 28, 1829, Mr. Loomis married Miss Sally Capen, who was born Dec. 16, 1800, in Hartford, on what is now Main street, between Russel and Avon streets. She died Sept. 7, 1889, and her remains now rest beside those of her husband in the cemetery at Windsor. The Capen family has long been prom- inent in Hartford (Capen street having been named after her brother), and her father, Josiah Capen, who was born in Braintree, Mass., in August, 1772, once owned a farm within the present limits of the city, and by occupation he was both a butcher and a farmer : he died Nov. 5, 1843. His wife, Betsey ( Wadsworth ), was born in Hartford Aug. 3, 1776, and died at Andover, Conn., March 4, 1871, aged ninety-four years and seven months. Our subject was the youngest of five children born to Collins and Sally Loomis : (1) Samuel C., born April 2, 1831, was a blacksmith in Windsor, where he died June 14, 1876; (2) Sarah E., born April 7, 1834, mar- ried O. P. Mills, of Windsor; (3) Henry L., born July 12, 1837, died in New Hartford May 27, 1874; (4) Abigail M., born July 24, 1839, died Aug. 10, 1864, unmarried ; (5) Aaron J. was born Dec. 12, 1841.

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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 68

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