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 70

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 70

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Mr. Osborne married, at Agawam, Hampden Co., Mass., Miss Betsey Bailey, a native of Groton, New London Co., Conn., and a daughter of Nathan Bailey. This union was blessed with four children :

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Maria, wife of Henry Bramen, of Springfield, Mass .; William B., who died in 1873; Mary L., who died young ; and Ida Henrictta, the wife of James T. Hill, of Suffield.

MRS. IDA H. ( OSBORNE) HILL was educated in the district schools of Suffield, and at the Con- necticut Literary Institute, in the same town, and in 1880 was married to James T. Hill, who was born in Shutesbury, Franklin Co., Mass., a son of Oliver Hill. In politics Mr. Hill is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. They reside on the old Osborne home- stead in Suffield, where Mr. Hill is engaged in general farming and tobacco growing and is pros- pering. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hill have been born: Bessie Maria and Bertha Mary (twins), who are remarkably bright girls, and are now students at the Connecticut Literary Insti- tute, and are well advanced in their studies.

Mrs. Betsey ( Bailey) Osborne, mother of Mrs. Hill, died at the home of her daughter on the farm March 17, 1885, a devout member of the Baptist Church and a truly good woman, and her remains are interred in the Suffield cemetery, beside those of her husband, who passed away Dec. 6, 1890.

Mrs. Hill is a lady of culture, with esthetic in- stincts and love of art, and is well read in current literature. She is, moreover, blessed with sound business judgment, and as a housekeeper is un- excelled in the county. She and husband enjoy the confidence and respect of the entire community in which they live, and the children are the admira- tion of the neighborhood.

CHARLES WOODWORTH LATHROP. There has been for a generation or longer upon the streets of Burnside, in the town of East Hart- ford, no more familiar figure, none more welcome, none of kindlier disposition, than that of the genial, whole-souled, self-made man whose name appears at the beginning of this sketch. By the usual meas- urements of financial success Mr. Lathrop must be accredited in the community in which he lives with a prominent place. But it is not by that standard that he is best known, nor is it recognized by him- self. He is admired for his unostentatious manner, perhaps, above his other happy and sterling traits, for he is utterly destitute of that feeling of pride which grows profusely in the shadow of success. He is a plain-going man, in whose soul ever sparkle the gems of kindness and good cheer. His father often said to his boys, "you can be something, or nothing." The maxim, as applied to the career of our subject, reveals positive results.

Mr. Lathrop's paternal grandfather was an in- dustrious and prosperous farmer of Lebanon, Conn. He reared a large family, among whom were Henry, a liveryman of Norwich, Conn .; Leonard, a farmer of Andover, Conn .; Elisha, a farmer of New London county ; Erastus, a farmer of Leba-

non; Harvey, the father of our subject; and one daughter.

Harvey Lathrop, the father of our subject, lived in Lebanon, where in addition to farming he was engaged quite extensively in getting out lum- ber and handling timber. After his sons had grown up and left him he sold his farm and removed to New London, where he built a nice home and passed the remainder of his years. He married Octavia Woodworth, and their children were as follows: Albert, a liveryman of East Hartford; Charles W., our subject ; Harriet L., widow of Will- iam Smith, of Norwich; Henrietta, who married Charles D. Browning, and died in Norwich; Ed- win, a resident of Norwich, who died while on a visit to Syracuse, N. Y .; Arthur, a coal dealer and successful business man of Norwich, Conn .; Oli- ver, who enlisted during the Civil war in the Eightlı Regiment, Conn. V. I., and was killed at Antietam; John, a resident of Montville, Conn .; Fanny, widow of a Mr. Kingsley, of Lebanon ; and Fred, who mar- ried, and died at the age of thirty-four years, leaving two children. The father was a man whose every act toward his fellow men was well meant. He was most highly respected and was. well known. He was a Whig and later a Republican in politics, but was not a politician. He lived to the age of sixty-nine years, and his wife to the age of sixty-three years. Both were members of the Congregational Church.

Charles W. Lathrop, our subject, was born at Lebanon, Conn., Dec. 31, 1833. On his father's farm, which was one of the best in Lebanon, situated on the old Colchester and Norwich turnpike, he passed his boyhood. His early schooling he re- ceived in the district schools, and among his school- mates was Solomon Lucas, later a leading member of the Norwich Bar. At the age of eighteen years Mr. Lathrop started out in life for himself. His uncle, Oliver Woodworth, of Scotland (now Burn- side), was a paper-maker in the mill of Goodwin & Co., now operated by F. R. Walker & Son, and our subject with a cash capital of twelve cents, but with sturdy constitution, a character that had been formed on equally rugged and firm principles, an ambition to make his way in the world, and the reserve qualities of industry and thrift, became an employe in the same mill. During the first year he worked as a loft man. In the winter fol- lowing he returned to Lebanon to attend school, and in the spring he entered the employ of the late Giles Forbes. Thence he returned to his old position in the mill, where he remained until 1855. In that year he bought the company's team and began the trucking business. Mr. Lathrop started with an ordinary truck wagon in the business, which he followed for about thirty-five years, and in which he grew to be one of the landmarks of the town. His team were a pair of ordinary draft horses, each 1,500 pounds in weight. His work for the mill

le W Lathrop

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was done by the ton, his pay being seventy cents a ton, and though the roads were far inferior to what they are now Mr. Lathrop made his two trips a day regularly, seldom missing, even when heavy rains had turned the old-time East Hartford roads into lakes of mud, or on the worst winter days, when snow was piled in drifts five or six feet high. In 1858 he went to Hartford, and for two years teamed for Bill & Baldwin. Ile then returned to Burnside.

In 1862 Mr. Lathrop enlisted in Company A, Twenty-fifth Conn. V. 1., a company and regiment which contained many men who afterward became prominent. The regiment was in the expedition of Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, of Louisiana, and was present at the siege of Port Hudson. Mr. Lath- rop was detailed with six others from his brigade on wagon duty during a portion of the siege. While at the Springfield landing one afternoon the detail caught sight of three hundred Confederate cav- alry raiding down on the landing. The other six fell into the clutches of the "Johnnies," but Mr. Lathrop contrived to bring his wagon and team and their load of rations away in safety, though the Confederate troopers followed in hot pursuit for four miles. One of their bullets struck a for- ward wheel, and dozens of others whistled by the driver's ears during the chase. In August, 1863, Mr. Lathrop bought one-third of the interest in Baldwin & Downing's truck business. Then he bought the team of F. R. Walker, who had come into ownership of the upper mill, and went

into his employ as teamster. Until 1892 Mr. Lath- rop followed this occupation. His trip from the mill to the steamboat dock was made with the regularity and reliability of a pendulum. Leaving his home at 6:30, he would reach Main street at 7, and the dock shortly after 7:30. Such was the regularity of his trips that William L. Huntting, if his clock ran down at night, would set the hands at 7 o'clock when he saw Mr. Lathrop's team pass- ing in the morning. With the exception of one year Mr. Lathrop had fine luck with his horses, but in that year he lost $1,000 worth. He figures that the tolls he paid to the old bridge company amounted to something over $7,000. In March, 1892, he sold out his business to G. Dwight Burn- ham; his outfit included two wagons, five horses, and the necessary harnesses and equipments.

Mr. Lathrop was married, Jan. 8, 1856, to Miss Harriet E. Bliss, who was born May 28. 1833, daughter of Ira and Paulina (Rowell) Bliss, of Burnside. Ira Bliss was a Vermonter by birth, and his wife was a native of New York State. To Ira and Pauline Bliss were born five children : Delia P., now Mrs. E. C. Brewer, of Silver street, East Hartford; Harriet E., wife of our subject, and Hayden W., of Hartford, twins : Julia E., who died aged fifteen years ; and Sarah E., who died young. Ira Bliss was a papermaker by trade, and in later life acted as station agent at Burnside. He was

assassinated by two young men, who assaulted him Feb. 21,' 1876, inflicting injuries which re- sulted in his death nine days later. He was a highly-respected citizen, and a member of the Con- gregational Church, and in politics a stanch Re- publican.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lathrop was blessed with two children: Julia, wife of Henry S. Camp, a meat dealer of Norwich, Conn., who has one son, Charles Lathrop Camp; and Lelia, who died in 1880, at the age of sixteen. Mr. Lathrop erected his excellent home on Burnside avenue, which contains all the conveniences and appoint- ments of a modern residence. His wife attends the First Congregational Church of East Hart- ford. In politics he has been an enthusiastic Re- publican since the organization of that party. In the autumn of 1892 he was elected to the board of selectmen, and he filled that office continuously for some time, with the exception of one year, his pop- ularity being attested by the large votes he has re- ceived ; later he served as second selectman of East Hartford, and proved a painstaking official, uni- formly kind and courteous, and ever ready and willing to bestow a favor when consistent with his line of duty. He is widely known and where- ever known is . favorably known.

WILLIAM BALLANTINE KING is one of the old and honored citizens of the town of Suf- field, and a worthy representative of one of its prominent pioneer families. He was born July 18, 1823, in that town, where eight generations of the family have made their home. There is an old age that is a benediction to all that comes in con- tact with it, that gives out of its rich stores of learning and experience, and grows stronger intel- lectually and spiritually as the years pass. Such is the life of Mr. King, an encouragement to his as- sociates, and an example well worthy of emulation to the young.

James King, the first of the family to locate in the town of Suffield, was a farmer by occupation, and an extensive land owner. He spent his last years here, and made many improvements upon his property. He was married, in 1655, to Miss Bithia Beldrake, and both died here, being buried in Suf- field cemetery.

Willianı King, the son of this worthy couple, was born in the town of Suffield, and made farm- ing his life work. He also owned large tracts of land in this section, where he always made his home. He was quite active in religious affairs, and was a consistent member of the Congregational Church. Both he and his wife were buried in Suf- field cemetery.

One of their sons, William King, was one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Suf- field, and a deacon in the Congregational Church, to which he gave a communion set of solid silver that is still in use, highly prized by the congrega-

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tion. He was one of the founders of that church, and at his death was laid to rest in its cemetery. He lived during the struggle for independence, was a farmer and stock raiser by occupation, and was well liked and highly respected by the entire com- munity. He married a Miss Hathaway, and to them were born seven children: William, Seth, Appolis, Mrs. Fuller, Mrs. Adams, Mrs. Pickett and Mrs. Leavitt.

Seth King, the second son in this family, and the grandfather of our subject, was born on the old King homestead, and received a common-school education. In 1759 he served as lieutenant and adjutant-general in the militia, and in the great struggle for freedom he bore his part with the Colonial troops, participating in the battles on Long Island. The flint-lock gun and powder-horn which he carried during the Revolution are now in the possession of our subject. He was quite a pros- perous farmer, and one of the foremost citizens of Suffield town, highly respected by all who knew him. He was a consistent member of the Congre- gational Church, and a Whig in politics He mar- ried Lydia Ballantine, of Washington, Berkshire Co., Mass., and to them were born six children : Sarah, wife of Horace Smith, of Amherst; Seth, who married Anna Moore; John, father of our subject ; Lydia, wife of Ephra Mathew ; Mary, wife of Henry Loomis, of Suffield; and Lucy, who died unmarried. The mother of these children, who was a true Christian woman, died in Suffield at the age of ninety-three years, and was buried there.

John King was also born on the old home- stead, where he spent his entire life as an agri- culturist, and was educated in the district schools of the neighborhood. He took quite an active and prominent part in local politics, as a supporter of the Whig party, was temperate in all his habits, and was a deacon in the Congregational Church, to which he belonged. He married Sally Stocking, of Glastonbury, Hartford county, a daughter of Ashel Stocking, a well-known citizen of the coun- ty, and to them were born two children: William B., our subject ; and Martha, who died young. The mother died in 1829, and the father subse- quently married Prudence Baker, of Amherst, Mass., by whom he had four children: Osmyn B .; Martha ; Jane, widow of James Kimball, of Am- herst, Mass .; and John, who died in Suffield. Mrs. Prudence King died on the home farm in 1876, Mr. King in 1869, and both were laid to rest in Suffield cemetery.

After attending the district schools for some time, William B. King became a student in Suffield Institute, which occupied the site of the present Kent Library. Only five of Suffield's citizens are now living who attended that institute with our subject. He completed his education at Amherst Academy, Hampshire Co., Mass. He was a close student, a good scholar, and was noted for his pen- manship. At the age of nineteen he left home and

went to New York, where he shipped aboard a sail- ing vessel for the Bermudas, and, as he had studied navigation at school, his assistance was very val- uable to the captain and mate in taking observa- tions. After spending about six months in coast- ing round the Bermudas, he returned to his home. For three years he followed teaching in South- wick, Mass., and for two years taught school in Buffalo, N. Y. At the end of that time he re- turned to his home in the town of Suffield, took up the manufacture of brick, which he continued to follow for twenty years, many of the foundations of the houses in Suffield being built of his brick, as well as a number of public buildings, including the town hall. His own residence, erected in 1855, was also built of brick which he made. Since giving up that business he has turned his attention to farm- ing, dairying and stock raising, and has met with well-merited success.

In 1856 Mr. King was united in marriage with Miss Mary R. Wright, of Holyoke, Mass., a daugh- ter of Eber and Oral (Chapin) Wright. Her grandfathers, Col. Abel Chapin and Capt. Ebenezer Wright, bore a prominent and active part in the war of the Revolution. Four children were born to our subject and his worthy wife: (1) Sarah mar- ried George H. Hill, of Springfield, Mass., and they had three children, Josephine, Lucy and Herbert. (2) Harriet Wright is the wife of William Hamblen, of Springfield, Mass. (3) William B. died young. (4) John A., at home, married Minnie Cutting, of Springfield, Mass., and they have one child, Will- iam, who is of the eighth generation of the family to be born in Suffield town.

Mr. King has always taken an active interest in educational affairs, and has most efficiently served as a member of the school committee. He is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, there never having been a Democrat in the family, but he has never cared for political preferment. For over fifty-eight years he has been a member of the Congregational Church, and has served as superin- tendent of and teacher in the Sunday-school. His life is exemplary in many respects, and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity.

GILES LANGDON DUNHAM, a prominent and representative farmer of Southington, was born on the farm where he now resides July 16, 1832. His father, Chauncey Dunham, was born March 29, 1786, and lived in the old homestead now occupied by our subject. He was twice married, first to Rosanna Root, and on Dec. 23, 1824, tc Sylvia Langdon, a daughter of Capt. Giles and Sarah (Carter) Langdon. The father of our sub- ject was a consistent and faithful member of the Congregational Church, and was highly respected by all who knew him. He died Sept. 29, 1880, but his widow is still living (Sept. 27, 1900), in good health, with her faculties very little impaired. She

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was born July 27, 1800, and on July 27, 1900, cele- brated her one hundredth birthday. She was in- vited to go to the Southington Agricultural Fair, Sept. 4, accepted the invitation, and while there enjoyed a ride in an automobile. She is spoken of as being the first centenarian to ride in an auto- mobile.

Cornelius Dunham, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in 1740, and was married, Feb. 2, 1764, to Jemima Andrews, daughter of Jonathan and Susannah (Richards) Andrews. He also lived on the old homestead in Southington, where he kept a tavern for many years, and was noted for his hospitality. He died Feb. 23, 1819. His father, Gideon Dunham, the first of the name to reside in Southington, is supposed to have come from Martha's Vineyard. He died April 27, 1762.

Giles Langdon, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Southington May 24, 1763, and was married Jan. 20, 1785, to Sarah Carter, daughter of Abel and Mary (Coach) Carter, of Southington. He held the military rank of cap- tain, and died Feb. II, 1847. His father, Giles Langdon, Sr., was born July 22, 1720, and was married, Nov. 4, 1751, to Ruth Andrews, daughter of Stephen and Ruth ( Barnes) Andrews. He died in December, 1777. He was a son of Joseph Lang- don, who was born in Farmington in March, 1688, and was married, Dec. 24, 1713, to Rachel Cowles, daughter of Samuel and Rachel ( Porter) Cowles. He also lived in Southington. His father, Joseph Langdon, of Farmington, was married, in October, 1683, to Susannah Root, daughter of John and Mary (Kilbourn) Root, and died April 8, 1749, at the age of about eighty-nine years. He was a son of John Langdon, of Farmington, who was deputy to the General Court in October, 1668, was made a freeman in October, 1669, and admitted to the Farmington Church July 12, 1653, afterward serving as deacon of the same. He died in 1689. His father, George Langdon, the progenitor of the family in this county, is first found in Wethers- field, and later in Springfield and Northampton, Mass., where he died Dec. 29, 1676.

Giles L. Dunham, our subject, was reared to agricultural pursuits upon the old homestead, and there he has spent his entire life with the exception of seven years, when he resided in New Haven and followed various occupations. He is a thorough and systematic farmer, and has met with well- merited success in his labors. He is an active mem- Der of the First Congregational Church of South- ington, and is an ardent supporter of the Repub- ican party.

Mr. Dunham has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Nancy Robinson, a daughter of Lester and Nancy (Augusta) Robinson, of Bristol, and by that union he had two children: Ida A., vife of Winfield S. Pease, died Dec. 12, 1894; and Louise R. is the wife of Frank H. Barnes. For his second wife, he married Miss Julia Platt, a

daughter of Joseph and Mehitable . (Thompson) Platt, of Middlebury, Conn., who removed from that town to Southington in 1863. Her paternal grandparents were Gideon and Lydia (Sperry) Platt. By his second marriage Mr. Dunham has one daughter, Clara T.

SCOVILLE J. HAMILTON, a lumber manu- facturer and farmer of the Meadow Plain District, Simsbury, has won success in life through his un- deviating adherence to the sterling principles of honesty, duty and industry, combined with ready tact and keen judgment. He is a man of recog- nized business ability, but is no less honored for his character. He is enterprising and progressive, and these qualities also have contributed not a little to his material advancement.

The Hamilton family is of Scottish extraction, and among the settlers of Massachusetts. His grandfather, Jonathan Hamilton, was a resident of Tolland, Mass. Jonathan Scoville Hamilton, the father of our subject, grew to manhood in his native home, and when a young man removed to New Hartford, Conn., and there learned the machinist's trade. For several years he worked at his trade in the shops of D. B. Smith, and later he was with the Chapmans. Early in the 'fifties he removed to Simsbury, having decided to turn his attention to farming, purchased the Reuben Tuller farm, at Bushy Hill, and there spent several years, engaged in stock raising, tobacco growing and general farm- ing. He then purchased the Curtis farm, in the Meadow Plain District, and there remained, en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until his death in 1884. He was actively engaged in the stock, dairy and tobacco branches of farming. He married in New Hartford, Flora Tuller, a native of Simsbury and daughter of Reuben Tuller, and three children were born to them: Winifred F., who married R. S. Smith, and is now deceased; Emily E., wife of F. Ellsworth, of Hartford ; and Scoville J., our sub- ject. The mother died on the farm in 1879. She was a member of the Congregational Church, a de- vout Christian woman, a faithful wife and effection- ate mother.

Scoville J. Hamilton, our subject, was born at Bushy Hill, Simsbury, June 21, 1858. Ilis educa- tional advantages were slight. He attended the district schools, but the work on the farm called for much of his time even as a boy, and as the only son in his father's family the management was gradu- ally shifted to his young shoulders. It was a duty which he felt he could not avoid. Thoughi filled with the same ambitions as other young men to strike out for himself, he remained on the farm until the death of his father, in 1883, caring for his parents and their affairs in their old age. Then Mr. Hamilton's career in his own behalf began. He started in the lumber business in Simsbury, buying the C. C. Mill portable sawmill, and has since continued in the lumber manufacturing busi-

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ness, in connection with farming, buying tracts of timber and reducing it to lumber. In 1894 Mr. Hamilton purchased the John Case farm, a tract of sixty-five acres, and is now engaged largely in to- bacco growing and general farming.

Mr. Hamilton married, at Meadow Plain, Sims- bury, in 1887, Belle E. Latimer, a native of that town, daughter of Franklin A. Latimer. The Lat- imer family are among the best citizens of Sims- bury. Franklin A. Latimer, father of Mrs. Hamil- ton, was born at Meadow Plain, a son of Ariel Latimer, and a grandson of Waite Latimer. Frank- lin A. Latimer was educated in the district schools near his home, and also at Westfield, Mass., and at the Connecticut Literary Institute, Suffield. He taught school during the winter months, and worked on the Farmington canal in summer, at first driv- ing a team, from which position he rose to that of captain of a canal-boat, plying between New Haven and Northampton. After the canal was abandoned he began farming, and settled on the homestead, where he engaged in general farming, stock rais- ing and tobacco growing on a tract of 125 acres, on which he made many improvements. and where he spent the remainder of his life He was in every sense a self-made man, beginning life a poor boy, and gaining a start through his industry and thrift. He was elected selectman of the town of Simsbury, but never sought office. In politics he was a Re- publican. In manner he was unassuming, domestic in his habits, temperate, kind and generous. He died on his farm Dec. 28, 1898, and was buried in Avon. He was a member of the Congregational Church. He married, in Bloomfield, Elizabeth R. Case, born in Bloomfield, daughter of Hart H. and Rose B. ( Pinney) Case, and to them three children were born: Belle E., wife of Scoville J. Hamilton, our subject ; Clara E., wife of Wilber A. Snow, of Middletown; and Franklin A., who married Clara A. Rockwell, and lives at Springfield, Mass. The mother died in 1883, and is buried in Avon ceme- tery. Franklin A. Latimer was noted for his hon- esty, honor and genial disposition.

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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 70

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