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 69

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 69

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(VIII) Aaron J. Loomis first attended the "Bell School" in Windsor, Cicero Roberts and Spencer Clapp being among his early teachers. At seventeen he entered the academy at Suffield, and on leaving that institution he went to Tariffville, where he was employed by a butcher for a short time. Having gained a practical knowledge of the business he formed a partnership with his brother Henry, and established a meat market in New

Hartford. They built up a large trade in that vicinity, having many customers in Collinsville, but after a few years our subject sold out to his brother and went to Lakewood, N. J., then a manufacturing town, with no promise of its present popularity as a winter resort. Mr. Loomis engaged in a hotel and livery business there and, although both lines of work were new to him, he met with his usual suc- cess. After nine years he disposed of his hotel, but retained the livery business, to which he added a lumber, coal and wood business, under the firm name of the A. J. Loomis Co., Limited, now the most extensive concern in that line at Lakewood. About the same time he established a plant for making inside furnishings for houses, and a box factory, the latter having since been removed to Hertford, N. C., where an extensive business is carried on under the firm name of Major & Loomis. Lakewood possessed no banking facilities during the early years of his residence there, and in 1889 he took an active part in the organization of the Lake- wood Trust Co., of which he was president until 1893, his well-proven integrity being a tower of strength to the institution. In 1893 he returned to Windsor to reside, but he still owns a handsome house at Lakewood, as well as much valuable busi- ness property. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and while in Lakewood he was prom- inent in local affairs, serving as township treas- urer and as a member of the town committee, and lending his influence to various movements which tended to the benefit of the village.

On May 11, 1864, Mr. Loomis was married, in New Hartford, to Miss Helen Beaney, and five children have blessed the union: Miss May is at home: Warren W. is a student in Brown Uni- versity ; and three, Walter, Frank and Wallace, died in infancy.

ELI FREEMAN, a well-known and honored citizen of West Suffield, was born in New Marlboro, Berkshire Co., Mass., April 22, 1818, and belongs to a family of English extraction which was founded in the old Bay State during carly Colonial days. His great-grandfather, Eh Freeman, was the second settler of New Marlboro, where he en- gaged in farming throughout the remainder of his life.

Silas Freeman, our subject's grandfather, was born in New Marlboro Oct. 11, 1746, being the first male child born in that town. He took an active part in the Revolutionary war, was a farmer by occupation, and was quite a prominent citizen of his native place, where he spent his entire life, dying there Sept. 8. 1837. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Kasson, was born Feb. 8, 1750, and died Feb. 10, 1831, the remains of both being interred in the New Marlboro cem- etery. In their family were ten children, whose names and dates of birth and death were as fol- lows: Alice, April 15, 1769-Aug. 6, 1857: Sibyl,

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April 2, 1771-Dec. 20, 1850; Silas, April 28, 1773 -Oct. 19, 1855; Wealthy, April 1, 1775-Nov. 13, 1855 ; James, Feb. 20, 1778-Jan. 20, 1869; Kasson, Aug. 24, 1780-March 14, 1872; Heman, May 28, 1784-March 8, 1789; Calvin, Sept. 10, 1787- March 9, 1877; Heman, May 25, 1790-Aug. 14, 1874; and Eliza, March 20, 1796-Aug. 1, 1884.

Calvin Freeman, the father of our subject, was born and reared in New Marlboro, and engaged in farming there for some years. He was married in that town to Miss Janthe Cole, who was born in July, 1786. Her father, Asa Cole, was also one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war. To Mr. and Mrs. Freeman were born six children: Guy, a farmer, who married Lucinda Austin, and died in Suffield, Hartford county; Jay, a farmer, who married Harriet Emeline Phelps, and is still living in West Suffield, at the age of eighty-seven ; Louise, who died unmarried at the age of thirty-seven years; Eli, our subject; Elizabeth, who died un- married at the age of twenty-two; and Mercy, de- ceased, who (first) married William Lyman and ( second) George Putney. In 1828 the father brought his family to Suffield, Hartford Co., Conn., and purchased the Pomeroy farm in West Suffield. This was a tract of 117 acres, seventeen of which were woodland, and here he carried on general farming, stock raising and dairying until life's la- bors were ended. He made extensive improve- ments upon the place, including the erection of a fine brick residence and a good barn. He lived to the advanced age of ninety years, dying in the arms of our subject March 9, 1877, and his remains were interred in West Suffield cemetery. He was well- known and highly respected, and his fellow citizens honored him with a seat in the State Legislature. He was temperate in all his habits, and never used strong drink or tobacco in any form. In political sentiment he was a stalwart Democrat, and in re- ligious faith was a Universalist. His wife was not a member of any church. She died on the home farm Oct. 17, 1850, and was also buried in West Suffield cemetery.

Eli Freeman was only ten years old when he accompanied the family on their removal to West Suffield, where he attended the district schools and also the Connecticut Literary Institute, which was then in its infancy. For a short time he clerked in a store, but as the occupation was not congenial he returned to the home farm and has since devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, as an extensive tobacco grower, stock raiser and gen- eral farmer. He has erected a brick addition to his residence, and made other improvements upon the place which add to its value and beauty. He tenderly cared for his parents until they were called to the world beyond.

In Suffield, Nov. 30, 1847, Mr. Freeman was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Johnson, who was born in Becket, Mass., Nov. 20, 1828, and they became the parents of two children : (I)

Wilbur Kasson, who now operates the home farm, married Mary Esther Alderman, a native of East Granby, Hartford county, and a daughter of James Alderman, and to them were born two children, Sarah Edna and Charles Wilbur, the latter of whon died at the age of eight years. (2) Ada Eliza- beth married Newton Lewis, and died in 1885. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Wilbur K. is a Democrat in politics. 11 1897 Mr. and Mrs. Freeman celebrated their golden wedding. They are passing quietly down the sunset hill of life, enjoying the esteem and con- fidence of their neighbors and the affection of their many friends. Politically Mr. Freeman is a Jef- fersonian Democrat, but has never cared for po- litical preferment, though he has served as a mem- ber of the school committee.

John Johnson, Mrs. Freeman's grandfather, was a resident of Windsor, Hartford county. When a young man he enlisted in the Continental service during the Revolutionary war, and never returned home, his life being sacrificed that his country should be free. His only child, John Johnson, Jr., was born in Windsor after his father entered the army. When a young man he went to Otis, Berk- shire Co., Mass., and from there moved to Becket, same county, where he engaged in farming, making that occupation his life work. There he married Rhoda Clark, a daughter of Jonathan Clark, and to them were born four children: Mary Ann, de- ceased wife of Gideon Hale; Henry, who died when a young man ; Catherine P., deceased wife of War- ren Wright; and Sarah E., wife of our subject. From Berkshire county, Mass., Mr. Johnson came to Suffield, Hartford Co., Conn., and purchased the jarvis King farm, now owned by George A. Har-' man. Both he and his wife died in West Suffield, and were laid to rest in the West Suffield cemetery. They were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were widely and favorably Known.

WILLIAM S. JUDD, the popular and efficient postmaster at New Britain, is a man whose ability and personal worth have been put to the test in niany positions of trust, in both business and po- litical life. As a descendant of an old and hon- ored family he demonstrates the sturdy strength of will of our New England stock, having made his own way to success without extraneous aid. and has the enviable record of more than thirty years of active business connection with the manu- facturing firm of P. & F. Corbin.

Mr. Judd's family became identified with Farm- ington at an early day, and has always been promi- nent in the various movements which have brought about the development of this section. Thomas Judd, the original settler, came from England and settled at Cambridge, Mass., in 1633 or 1634. His home lot of four acres, in that part of Cambridge called the "West End," on the northeast side of

Millian & Judd.

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the highway to Watertown, was granted in Au- gust, 1634. He was admitted freeman of the Col- ony May 25, 1636. In 1636 he removed to Hart- ford, Conn., and it is probable he was one of that company (of about a hundred men, women and children) who departed from Cambridge on the last day of May, 1636. His house lot in Hart- ford was on the south side of the Wyllys home lot, which is distinguished by the Charter Oak, and both lots extended westward to the highway leading to Wethersfield. Thomas Judd was one of the first proprietors and settlers of Farmington, removing from Hartford probably in 1644, and his home lot was the third lot from the north end of Main street, on both sides, and extended westward to the Farm- ington river. Farmington first sent deputies- Stephen Hart and Thomas Judd-to the General Court in May, 1647. Thomas Judd was subse- quently sent a deputy in 1648-49-51-57-58-59-61- 62-63-66-68-70-77-78-79. He was a member of the church under the care of Rev. Thomas Hooker and Rev. Samuel Stone, both at Cambridge and Hart- ford, and was one of the seven pillars of the church of Farmington at its organization. Stephen Hart was the first deacon, and Thomas Judd the second: He died Nov. 12, 1688, when about eighty years of age.

(II) William Judd, born about 1633-1636, mar- ried Mary Steele March 30, 1658; he died in 1690. (III) John Judd, born in Farmington in 1667, died in 1717.

(IV) William Judd, born in Farmington in 1698-99, married Ruth Lee, March 14, 1723. He died Sept. 1, 1751.

(V) Capt. William Judd, our subject's great- grandfather, was born July 20, 1743, in Farming- ton, and after graduating from Yale College, in 1763, studied law, and was admitted to the Bar of Hartford county about 1765. For many years he followed his profession successfully in Farming- ton, where he held the office of justice of the peace for some time, and in his later years he was active and influential in public affairs, serving in the Connecticut Legislature and achieving a reputa- tion for ability which extended far beyond local limits. ' During the Revolutionary war he was cap- tain in the Connecticut regiment commanded by Col. Willis, his commission being signed by John Hancock. He was one of the charter members of the Connecticut Branch of the Society of the Cin- cinnati, a beneficiary and fraternal order organized in 1786, the parent society having been formed three years earlier. His certificate of membership was signed by President Washington, and the Society, which meets every fourth of July, is one of the oldest and most aristocratic in the country. Capt. Judd died at Farmington Nov. 13. 1804. His wife was Elizabeth Mix, daughter of Ebenezer Mix, of West Hartford.

(VI) William S. Judd, our subject's grand- father, was born in Farmington Jan. 10, 1766, and

was graduated in 1787 from Harvard College. He appears to have been actively interested in politics, having served a term as postmaster in New Haven, but his party affiliations are not known. For many years he was engaged in mercantile business in New Haven, and in 1808 had a partner and car- ried on an extensive trade with the West Indies. Late in life he removed to Middletown, and his last years were spent in retirement in New Britain,. where he died March 27, 1835. His wife, Esther (Stanley), was a daughter of Col. Gad Stanley, a prominent citizen of New Britain. Their chil- dren were : William Henry, Maria Mix, Philip Sam- tel and Thomas S. Of these, Thomas S. was ed- ucated in Washington College (now Trinity), Hart- ford, and became an Episcopal minister, having charge of the parishes of Monroe (Conn.) and Windom (N. Y.).

(VII) Philip S. Judd, the father of our subject,. was a native of Farmington, born Oct. 14, 1801, and received a good education for his time, the family having always shown a high appreciation of mental attainments. In early manhood he en- tered business life as a clerk in New Britain, and later he was employed as a bookkeeper by Alvin North (now North & Judd) and by Landers & Smith (now Landers, Frary & Clark). He took keen interest in religious work, and was one of the original members of St. Mark's Episcopal Church of New Britain. He married Miss Elizabeth Howd, daughter of James Howd, of East Hart- ford, and a descendant of an old Colonial family, which was represented in the Revolutionary army. They had the following children: Esther Maria,. born April 15, 1836, married Edward Yates, of New Britain ; Thomas Henry, born Aug. 14, 1840, died in 1861 ; William Samuel, our subject, is men- tioned more fully below ; Alfred Stanley, born June 18, 1847, and who was employed for many years as a shipping clerk for the Stanley Works, in New Britain, died Feb. 22, 1900. The father passed away May 3, 1851, and the mother on Sept. 9, 1883.

Our subject was born July 7, 1844, in the town of New Britain, where he obtained a good public- school education. Through the efforts of his mother, a lady of rare mental gifts and strength of character, his attendance was continued until he reached the age of sixteen, his course in the high school being taken while J. W. Tuck was prin- cipal. On leaving school he spent three or four years as a clerk in different establishments, and in October, 1865, he entered the employ of P. & F. Corbin. He began in the packing room, but as business increased he was made shipping clerk. His fidelity and efficiency brought him further pro- motion as the head of the order department, which position he held until his appointment as postmaster. From boyhood he was interested in politics, his sym- pathies being with the Republican party, and for years he has been a leading worker in the local

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organization. From 1874 to 1877 he represented the Third ward in the city council, and in 1881-85- 86-87-88-89-90 he was elected alderman, making seven years service in that office. During this time he was chairman of the Finance committee one term, and a member of the committees on Streets and Claims. For a number of years he was a mem- ber of the board of health, serving as its chairman for one year after he left the council, and in 1893 he was elected to the office of selectman, from which he resigned Feb. 15, 1898. On Jan. 10, 1898, he was appointed postmaster by President McKin- ley, and since Feb. 15, of that year, he has served acceptably in the position. Socially he and his fam- ily are prominent, and he is a leading member of the Baptist Church of New Britain, in which he has served as deacon for many years. He also be- longs to the Improved Order of Heptasophs ; the Order of United American Mechanics, in which he has been State councilor for Connecticut ; and to the Society of the Cincinnati, mentioned above, having been president of the Connecticut branch.

In 1867 Mr. Judd married Miss Helen G. Hart. a daughter of Deacon William Hart, a highly-re- spected citizen of New Britain, and three children have blessed the union: (1) Laura Jane, born Sept. 2, 1870, married O. Bertini, of New Britain, and has three sons, Harold A., Robert J. and Norman F. (2) William H., born May 7, 1877, graduated from the New Britain high school, and is now a clerk in the National Bank of that city. (3) Thomas H., born Feb. 17. 1879, graduated from the New Britain high school, and is now employed as assist- ant postmaster.

ROBERT SUGDEN comes of an inventive and manufacturing stock, his father, Robert Sugden, having been one of the earliest inventors and man- ufacturers of cotton-looms in New England. His first patent was granted in 1813, and the original document is regarded as an heirloom in the family, bearing as it does the signatures of James Madi- son, President, and James Monroe, Secretary of State. Our subject's mother was Mary Wales, a daughter of Major Nathaniel Wales, of Revolution- ary fame, who recruited the first troop of horse in Massachusetts to take part in the struggle for American independence ; he was the leader of the funeral of John Hancock.

Robert Sugden was born July 23, 1819, at Braintree, Mass. He was the eldest of five children born to his parents, the others being William E., who is president of the Hartford Mutual Insur- ance Co .: Mary and Elizabeth, both of whom re- side in Braintree; and Nathaniel W., deceased. Our subject was an infant when his parents moved to Middletown, and it was there he grew up and, like most New England boys, received his educa- tion in the district schools which were provided for the training of the young idea. In 1839 the family removed to Rocky Hill, where Mr. Sugden

lived until 1846. He was then twenty-seven years of age, and the mechanical instinct born in him began to assert itself in no uncertain way; farm lite was not to his taste, and turning his back upon the parental roof he went to Middletown, where he engaged in manufacturing. There he remained until 1849, when, having found his original venture more or less successful, he returned to Rocky Hill and organized a stock company under the name of the Rocky Hill Cast Iron Manufacturing Co. In 1852 he disposed of his interest in that concern, and two years later formed a partnership with Mr. But- ler for the manufacture of cast-iron shears, the firm name being Butler, Sugden & Co. In 1864 he purchased his partner's interest in the business, which he conducted alone until 1868. That year the factory burned down, and in 1871 Mr. Sugden returned to Middletown, and engaged in the manu- facture of rubber goods, which he carried on for three years; in 1877 he removed to New Britain, where he accepted a position as foreman in the foundry of Landers, Frary & Clark. This post he occupied for twenty-one years, with credit to him- self and satisfaction to his employers. In Novem- ber, 1898, he returned to Rocky Hill, where he has ever since resided.

On Feb. 6, 1844, Mr. Sugden was married to Miss Emily W. Robbins, and they have four chil- dren: Robert A., who resides in New York; Amelia M., wife of Henry C. Churchill, of Boston; Abbie E., who died in 1868; and Emily R.

In politics Mr. Sugden is a Republican, hav- ing been originally a Whig, and represented his town in the Legislature of 1869. He has also served his fellow citizens as selectman, and is held in universal respect in the community. He is a member of the Congregational Church, and active in every good work looking to the advancement of the cause of Christianity, the benefit of the commun- ity, and the general good of his fellow men.

JOHN SAMUEL ROWLEY, a worthy repre- sentative of the agricultural interests of the town of Newington, was born in Chatham, Conn., Dec. 5. 1832, and is of Welsh descent.

The family was founded in this country by three brothers, but one returned to Wales on business, and was never heard of again. Our subject's pa- ternal grandfather drove an ox-team for the Con- tinental troops during the Revolutionary war, and was present at the battle of Bunker Hill. The fa- ther, Eleazer Dunham Rowley, was born in East Haddam, Conn., in 1786, and married Miss Lydia Skinner, of Hebron, Conn. Their remains were interred in Young Street cemetery, Chatham. In their family were the following children: Abby, Harriet, Julia, Sarah, Mary, Emeline, David and John S. All are now deceased with the exception of Julia and our subject.

John S. Rowley remained on the home farm in Chatham unt.l twenty-seven years of age. At the

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

age of sixteen he purchased the place from his fa- ther and cared for the family for some years. On disposing of the farm he went to Portland, Conn., where he purchased property and engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits for five years, and on selling that place, to William J. Slew, he came to New- ington in 1864 and bought twenty acres of Walter F. Brown. This place, which is known as "Golden Knoll farm," is one of the most attractive in the community. On July 19, 1894, about 5 P. M., light- ning struck Mr. Rowley's barn during a lieavy storm, and he lost forty tons of hay, thirty shocks of rye, three horses, two cows (one a fine black Jersey), one bull, several sets of harness, farm im- plements, plows, wagons, etc. He immediately built a larger and better barn, and all the buildings upon his place are models of neatness and thrift.

On Nov. 3, 1857, Mr. Rowley married Mrs. Charlotte J. Randall, of Hartford, daughter of Dzias and Clarissa Cooley, who died at Mr. Rowley's iome, and were buried in North cemetery, Hart- jord. Mrs. Rowley was killed Nov. 5, 1895, by train on the Berlin branch of the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad, while driving with her laughter. The daughter was badly injured, and he horse had her neck broken. The children born o Mr. and Mrs. Rowley were Frederic Dunham, Sept. 9, 1858; Clara Lydia, Dec. 29, 1860; Fannie Etta, Aug. 10, 1864; Hattie Isabelle, Nov. 19, 866; and Frank Hills, Oct. 6, 1869. The eldest lied July 22, 1868, and Fannie Etta died July 20, 865. Clara Lydia was married, May 12, 1881, to Villiam G. Wells, and in 1891 moved to California, where he owns and conducts a ranch. On March 19, 1899, they returned to Connecticut on a visit. n their family were six children, all born in New- igton, Conn., with the exception of the youngest, who was born in Orange, Cal., as follows: Will- hm Clifford, born June 21, 1882 ; George Rowley, April 21, 1884: Lottie Isabelle, Aug. 29, 1886; Edith Cornelia, April 19, 1888: Alice May, Jan. 2, 890 (died five days later ) ; and Grace Louise, July 7, 1895. Frank Hills Rowley, son of our subject, ; a farmer and dairyman, residing on a farmi ad- pining that of his father. He was married, in e Episcopal Church, New Britain, Nov. 12, 1891, Katherine Clark, and they have five children : atherine Clara, born Oct. 22, 1892; Henry Frank, une 30, 1894; Norman Edward, Sept. 1, 1896; Charlotte Mary, Sept. 17, 1898; and Jennie Isabella, ept. 27, 1900.

Mr. Rowley was again married, July 29, 1896, is second union being with Mrs. Anna Eliza Bur- ows, of Willimantic, Conn. Her parents, Samuel nd Eliza Perkins, who were farming people, died in Willimantic, and were buried there. By her for- ier marriage Mrs. Rowley had three children : ertrude, born in 1876: Grace, born in 1877; and linton C., born in 1881.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Rowley are consistent mem- ers of the Congregational Church, and also be-

long to Newington Grange, and he affiliates with the Masonic fraternity and the Junior Order United American Mechanics. Politically he is a Democrat. He is upright and honorable in all things, and his word is considered as good as his bond.

OSBORNE FAMILY, from which Mrs. James T. Hill, of Suffield, descends, were among the early settlers of the State, and the surviving members are classed with its most prominent and respected citizens.

David Osborne, great-grandfather of the lady mentioned above, was a native of Goshen, Litch- field Co., Conn., and was a hero of the war of the Revolution. After the close of that struggle he settled with his family in Granby, where he en- gaged in farming until his decease. William Os- borne, son of David, was born in Granby, was rcared to farming, and married Betsey Wilcox, also a native of Granby. To this union were born eleven children, in the following order: William and Riley, deceased ; James, still living at the ad- vanced age of eighty-six years; Louise, who died in Iowa; Linus, deceased; Melzar, who went to Arizona ; Lydia, married to Edwin B. Alderman, of South Riverside, Cal .; Lewis, who died in Cali- fornia ; David, who lives in Iowa; Ilenry, a resi- dent of Plainville, Conn. ; and Leverett, who died in California. William Osborne, the father, was first a Democrat in politics, but later became a Prohibitionist, and had always been noted for his temperate habits and upright life. He lived in Otis, Mass., many years, but died at an advanced age in Anamosa, Iowa.

William Osborne, the eldest child in the above named family, and the father of Mrs. James T. Hill was born in Otis, Berkshire Co., Mass., in 1807. He was thirteen years of age when the family inoved to Westfield, where he grew to manhood, receiv- ing his education in the public schools. In that city he was for some years engaged in the man- ufacture of whips, and also carried on a lumber business. In 1858 he came to Suffield, Conn., and bought the Cobb farmi of fifty-four acres, erected a dwelling, barns and tobacco sheds, and devoted his attention to tobacco growing. stock raising and general farming. He was very successful in all his enterprises, and attained considerable prom- inence in the community. First a Whig in politics, he later became a Democrat, but was never a seeker after office. In his church views he was liberal, but always lived up to the golden rule, and was renowned for his nice sense of honor, integrity and temperance. He was affable in manner and gen- erous to a fault, and was honored and respected wherever known.

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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 69

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