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 74

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 74

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After coming to America Mr. Smith married Miss Mary Ryan, a native of the North of Ireland, who was brought to the United States in childhood. By his first marriage he had one daughter, Edith A., widow of J. F. Read, of Cambridgeport, Mass. By the second he has had one son, Walter G., born Feb. 23, 1862, who has rented and runs the home- stead farm, which is devoted to general crops. He married Miss Edith Hunt, of Talcottville, and they have two children, Ruth Amelia and Edith Harriet. The family is much respected socially. Mr. Smith is a member of the Episcopal Church of Windsor ; his wife is a member of the Baptist Church. In 1874 they made a visit to England, his brother, George, and family, accompanying them on their re- turn, and now living in Talcottville.

DANIEL NEWTON FROST. The deserved reward of a well-spent life is an honorable retire- ment from business, in which to enjoy the fruits of former toil. To-day, after a useful and beneficial career, Mr. Frost is quietly living at his pleasant lome in West Suffield, surrounded by the com- fort that earnest labor has brought him.

A native of Hartford county, Mr. Frost was born in Fast Windsor March 22, 1826, of Eng- lish ancestry. The first of the Frost family to cross the Atlantic and take up residence in the New World were three brothers, natives of England, one of whom located in Maine, another in Boston, Mass., and the third in Connecticut. The last named was Willian Frost, who settled in Windsor, Hartford county, some time between 1632 and 1635, and there spent the remainder of his life. He had four children: Andrew, a lawyer, of Fair- field : Daniel, a resident of Windsor: Mary; and Saralı

Josiah Frost, the great-grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Willington, Tolland Co., Conn., where he was reared, but when a young man he removed to Ellington, same county, where he en- gaged in farming until called from this life. He and his wife both died in Ellington, and both were buried there. In their family were nine children, whose names and dates of birth were as follows: Samuel; Aaron, 1747; David, Feb. 1. 1750; Mary,

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April 15, 1752; Noah, April 8, 1755 (settled in Springfield, Mass.) ; Ephraim, Oct. 4, 1757; Reu- ben, Sept. 18, 1760; Joel, May 16, 1763 ; and Sarah, May 8, 1765.

Aaron Frost, our subject's grandfather, was born and reared in Ellington, and on leaving there came to East Windsor, Hartford county, where he owned a large tract of land and successfully en- gaged in farming until his death, which occurred Aug. 3, 1817. In politics he was a Whig, and in religious faith a Congregationalist. He first mar- ried Miss Parnel Wood, by whom he had two children : Parnel, who married Dudley Granger, of Suffield; Aaron, who died young. On Aug. 13, 1777, he wedded Maggie Hammond, who was born in 1750, and died Feb. 18, 1837, being laid to rest in East Windsor cemetery. She, too, was a faithful member of the Congregational Church. The chil- dren of this union were Aaron, born June 2, 1778; Alpha, July 30, 1782; Seth, Oct. 10, 1789; and Solomon, Jan. 24, 1791.

Solomon Frost, the father of our subject, was born in East Windsor, and received but a common- school education. On reaching manhood he be- came engaged in farming on a tract of 200 acres of land, upon which he made many improvements, and was extensively interested in the raising of tobacco, rye, corn and stock. He made his home in East Windsor throughout life, and at his death, in 1854, his remains were interred in Windsor- ville. His political support was given to the Whig party, and he always took an active part in public affairs. He was an earnest member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and was held in high re- gard by all who knew him. In East Windsor he married Miss Nancy Pasco, a daughter of James Pasco. She held membership in the Congrega- tional Church, and died in that faith in 1853, and they now sleep side by side in the Windsorville cemetery. To this worthy couple were born eleven children : Cynthia, deceased, who married (first) Norman Pasco, and (second) James Burnham ; David, deceased; Mary, who wedded Calvin Col- ton, and died at the home of our subject ; James, deceased ; Daniel N., our subject ; Nancy, now the widow of Joseph Allen, of Stafford, Conn., who was a soldier of the Civil war ; Harvey and Henry, twins, both deceased; Sarah, widow of Monroe Farnsworth, of Mundale, Mass .; Julia, deceased wife of George Richardson; and Jane, who died young.

Daniel N. Frost is indebted to the district schools of East Windsor for his educational advantages, and upon the home farm he acquired his business training. After attaining his majority he started out in life for himself, as a farmer upon a tract of land which he purchased and greatly improved. Several years later, however, he sold the place and went to Illinois, but remained there only a short time. Returning to Hartford county, in 1858, he purchased the Johnson farm of fifty-six acres in

West Suffield township, upon which he has since made his home. For many years he was actively engaged in general farming, stock raising and to- bacco growing, but is now living retired, leaving the operation of the farm to his son-in-law, Frank O. Culver.

On Dec. 27, 1851, in Tolland, Mass., Mr. Frost was united in marriage with Miss Louise Frost. She traces her ancestry back to David Frost, who was born in Ellington, Conn., Feb. 1, 1750, 'a son of Josiah Frost, and when a young man moved to Granville, Mass., where he spent the remainder of his life, as a farmer. His son, Arial Frost, was a lifelong resident of Massachusetts, and was also a farmer by occupation. He was born in Gran- ville, and died in Tolland. He married Rhoda Smith, and had four children: Anzolette; Eli; Smith, the father of Mrs. Frost ; and Marilla, who married John Moody, and is still living in Tolland, Mass. Smith Frost was born in Tolland, and throughout his active business life engaged in farm- ing there. He was a Democrat in politics until the Civil war broke out, and then became an ardent supporter of the Republican party. In Tolland he married Miss Rowena Barnes, of that place, and to them were born four children: Louise, wife of our subject ; Arial, a resident of Granville, Mass .; Abbie, deceased wife of Thomas Harrington; and Allen S., a resident of Otis. The parents, who were devout members of the Methodist Episcopal. Church, and earnest, consistent Christian people, both died in Tolland.

Three children were born to our subject and his wife, namely: (1) Mary, born Sept. 23, 1854, died Jan. 10, 1885. She married, May 20, 1873, Freeman Andrew Mann, and had four children, Edwin F., Florence Ada, Walter Paul (deceased) and Mary B. (2) Walter Pasco, born Sept. 17, 1856, married Emma McIntyre, and has five chil- dren, Daniel Newton, Casper David, James McIn- tyre, Myra and Walter Pasco. (3) Minnie, born May 28, 1858, married Frank Culver, who now carries on the old homestead, and they have three children, Chauncey Newton, Edwin Arthur and William Bennett. Mr. Culver was born in Bland- ford, Mass., June 29, 1856, a son of John and Polly (Stewart) Culver, and in 1882 came to Suffield Hartford county, where he has since engaged ir stock dealing and farming. In politics he is a Republican.

Mr. Frost also gives his support to the men anc measures of the Republican party, but has never taken any active part in political affairs aside fron voting. He was a member of the school committee, for several years, and has always given his suppor to those measures which he believed calculated to advance the educational, moral or social welfare o the community. In his life work he met with well deserved success, and is now able to lay aside al business cares. He has found a worthy helpmee in his estimable wife, who is a lady of marked in

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telligence, and being a great reader she has be- come well informed on the leading questions and ssues of the day.

STRONG HAYDEN BARBER. The Barber family is one of the oldest in this section, and the subject of this sketch, a leading resident of Wind- sor, now occupies a homestead which has been in he family since 1640, when the land was granted o Thomas Barber, his ancestor, in recognition of iis gallant service as a soldier in the Pequot war.

(I) Thomas Barber came from England in the ummer of 1635 with the Saltonstal colony, as a ser- ant of Francis Stiles, who had been commissioned by Sir Richard Saltonstal, Knight, and other lords und gentlemen, to enclose lands at Windsor, Conn., nd erect dwellings for the colonists. A party from Dorchester were ahead of him and disputed his ight, so that he was not able to carry out the de- ign of his coming, but notwithstanding the op- osition of the "Dorchester Party," Thomas Barber nd others of the party finally settled at Windsor, where he was married, in 1640, to Jane

During the Pequot war he was in the thickest of he struggle on the inside of the fort, and received onorable mention from Capt. Mason for his valor n that occasion. being one of the very few to re- eive such notice. His term of service expired in 640, and in October of that year a lot of land had een granted him, our subject's present homestead eing a portion of same. After some years he re- hoved to Simsbury, where he contracted to build he first church, but he lost money on the venture nd the citizens there gave him a tract of land, upon which he settled permanently, his death occurring here. Of his children, the eldest, Thomas, set- ed in Windsor or near Simsbury; Josiah mar- ied Abigail Loomis, and lived and died in the outhern part of Windsor; Samuel was the direct ncestor of our subject, and is mentioned more illy below; John settled in Springfield, Mass .; lannah married a Mr. Gillett, and settled in Suf- eld; and Mary married a Mr. Hale, and also re- ded in Suffield.

(II) Samuel Barber, who was born in 1648, Quilt the first house that was erected by a Barber n the old tract, this house standing nearly op- osite the present Windsor Cannery. In 1676 he tarried Ruth Drake, who was born in 1657, and leir children were as follows : Samuel married iba Brown, and lived in Windsor; William mar- ed Esther Brown, and settled in Windsor; Ben- imin married Hannah Lewis, and also settled in Windsor; Joseph, a resident of Windsor, married Tary Loomis; David married Hannah Post, and ettled in Hebron, Conn .; John is mentioned be- w; Ruth married William Phelps, and settled in Vindsor ; Mary married Peter Brown, of Windsor ; lizabeth married Daniel Loomis, and resided in Vindsor; Sarah married, first, Stephen Palmer, id later a Mr. Phelps, of Westfield, Connecticut.

(III) John Barber was born in 1696, and was the first of the family to reside at the present home- stead of our subject. In 1717 he married Jane Al- ford, who was born in 1698, and they had the fol- lowing children: John married Deborah Loomis, and settled at Harwinton, Conn .; Jane married David Thrall, of Windsor; Naomi married Daniel Barber, and settled in Windsor town; Gideon mar- ried (first) Ilannah Gillett, and (second) Mary Hoskins, a widow (born Clark), and settled at Windsor, but later removed to Manchester, Vt., where he died; Asahel died in infancy ; Asahel (2) married Mary Collyer, and settled in Harwinton, Conn .; Reuben married Sarah Mariman, and also settled at Harwinton; Jerusha married Jonah Bar- ber, of Windsor; David married Mary Brown, and settled at Windsor; Noah married Sybil Booth, and resided in East Windsor ; Joel settled in Simsbury ; Jerijah is the next in the line of descent to our subject ; and Ruth married (first) Titus Burr, and ( second) Ebenezer Burr.

(IV) Jerijah Barber, our subject's great-grand- father, was born in 1739, and died in 1792. He served in the Revolutionary army, and was for many years engaged in business as a tanner, being the founder of the tannery at Mill Brook, above Windsor. In 1765 he married Loanna Filley, who was born in 1744, daughter of Amos Filley, and died in 1793. Among his children was a son Jerijah.

(V) Capt. Jerijah Barber, our subject's grand- father, was born in 1766, and died in 1820. He was a prominent citizen of his day and locality, and was the last of the family to conduct the tannery business. He was as straight as an arrow, and was active in military affairs as captain of the 2d Company, Ist Regiment, Connecticut Militia. In 1808 he built the house in which our subject now resides. By his first wife, Deborah Dexter, to whom he was married May 26, 1796, he had two children: Fidelia, who married Alonzo Bridges ; and Deborah, who married Solomon Phelps, and died in New York State. On May 27, 1806, he married Anna Hayden, who was born in 1779, the daughter of Capt. Nathaniel Hayden, and died in 1858. By this marriage there were six children : Nathaniel H., born in May, 1807, died in January, 1888, was a leading Republican, and at one time served as State Senator for this district. He never married, and always resided at the present home- stead. He owned water power at Mill Brook, where he conducted an extensive saw-mill business, and also had a brickyard. Rhoda Ann Lyman, born Nov. 3, 1808, died at the age of thirteen years. Mary J., born Feb. 24, 1811, died in childhood. John H., our subject's father, is mentioned below. Samuel Thomas, born Sept. 24, 1815, died in in- fancy. Samuel J., born in 1817, died at the age of four years.

(VI) John H. Barber was born March 10, 1813, in the house that our subject now occupies, and

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was educated in the schools of that locality, ex- Governor E. D. Morgan, of New York, being one of his school mates. Being reared to farm work, he followed that occupation at intervals during his life, but for years he was the leading member of the firm of Barber Bros., in sawmill and brickyard busi- ness. He was a well-built man, and very indus- trious, and was regarded as a shrewd and success- ful financier. His integrity was never doubted, and as a citizen he was held in the highest esteem. Po- litically he was a Republican, and although he never cared for office he served for some time as treas- urer of school district No. 4. In religious work he was active as a member of the First Congrega- tional Church, in which he was deacon for many years and also a teacher in the Sabbath-school. He died Dec. 9, 1873, at the homestead where he had resided' through his life. On Dec. 23, 1846, he married Miss Clarissa Hayden, who was born in Bennington, N. Y., May 19, 1821, daughter of Strong and Louisa (Loomis) Hayden. She sur- vived him, her death occurring Jan. 14, 1891, and the remains of both are buried in Windsor ceme- tery. They had six children, as follows: James H., born July 20, 1849, died, in 1868, of typhoid fever ; Strong H., our subject ; Mary G., born April 1853, died in August, 1853; Milton, born Dec. 16, 1854, died May 23, 1856; Gerald Thomas, born Aug. 18, 1858, died in 1871; and Clara L., born Nov. 18, 1862, is now Mrs. George M. Wrisley, of Windsor town.

(VII) Strong Hayden Barber, our subject, who is the representative male descendant of this gen- eration, was born at his present homestead Oct. 12, 1851. His education was begun in school dis- trict No. 4, Miss Fowler, Miss Griffin and Cicero Roberts being among his early teachers. In those days the school sometimes had eighty pupils en- rolled in one room. Later Mr. Barber attended Windsor Academy, under Prof. Standish, and the State Agricultural College at Amherst, Mass., where he studied several years. He learned easily and rapidly, being especially apt in mathematics, and his studies were intermingled with active work at home, where he became familiar with all the de- tails of farm management.

On Aug. 20, 1877, Mr. Barber married Miss Jennie H. Clark, a native of Willimantic, Conn., and daughter of John and Mary Wing (Hovey) Clark, well-known residents of that city. Soon after his marriage Mr. Barber settled near his pres- ent home, but in 1888 he removed to the old house, which he remodeled and improved, making one of the most comfortable and attractive residences in the town. He has always been prominent in busi- ness life, taking part in most of the important en- terprises projected in his locality, and for years he was one of the principal stockholders in the Wind- sor Creamery and the Windsor Canning Factory. In every way he has given his influence toward building up his community . and attracting a de-

sirable class of settlers, but his ventures are quite free from visionary or reckless methods, and un- dertakings approved by him seem to succeed. A number of homes have been built upon his lands, and he is now one of the heaviest taxpayers and land owners of the town, while he is also inter- ested extensively in western real estate and other interests.

In politics Mr. Barber was a Republican until 1888, when he became an ardent supporter of the Prohibition party. For two years he was justice of the peace, and his interest in educational affairs is shown by twenty-five years of efficient service as clerk of School District No. 4. He and his esti- mable wife are prominent in social life, and are leading members of the Congregational Church at Windsor, in which he is now senior deacon. He lias also served as treasurer of the church, teacher in the Sabbath-school, treasurer of the Ecclesias- tical Society, and a member of the music commit- tee. His home is brightened by four clever chil- dren: Mary H., Harry C. (a student in the col- lege at Amherst, Mass.), Robert H. and Ken- neth W.

WILLIAM WILSHIRE SAVAGE (deceased). in his lifetime a prominent and influential citizen of Wethersfield, was born in Hartford April 29, 1829, and belonged to an honored old New Eng- land family, some of whose representatives were noted for their military success, while others were prominent sea-faring men.

Capt. Horace Savage, father of our subject, was born in Hartford in 1799, and in April, 1815, shipped as cabin boy on the brig "Commerce," of Hartford, owned by Riley & Brown, Josiah Sav- age & Co. and Luther Savage, all of that city, and commanded by Capt. James Riley. The crew was composed of James Riley, captain ; George Williams, first mate; Aaron Savage, second mate; William Porter, Archibald Robbins, Thomas Burns and James Clark, seamen ; Horace Savage, cabin boy ; and Richard Desiile (colored), cook. They sailed with freight to New Orleans, La., and from there took a load of tobacco and flour to Gibraltar, where they landed their cargo in safety. They then sailed for Cape Verde Island, but during the voyage the vessel was lost off the coast of Africa, and the crew was captured by the natives and held for a ransom. The British consul, William Wilshire, obtained their release, and for him Capt. Savage afterward named his son, the subject of this sketch. A full account of this wreck and capture was written and published by Capt. Riley many years ago. After abandoning the sea the father of our subject engaged in general mercantile business in Matamoras, Mex- ico, where he owned property, and where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1881, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-two years.

William W. Savage was reared in this county, and received a good English education in the dis-

Um: OP. Savage.

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trict and high schools. During the gold excite- ment in California, in 1849, he went to that State, where he remained several years, and while there lost the use of his right arm, from paralysis. He then returned to his old home in Wethersfield, and after regaining the use of his limb, followed the sea. and was a pilot on the Connecticut river for many years. He finally located on the old Judge Williams farm, on Broad street, where he spent the remainder of his life in farming, and where he died April 3, 1895, his remains being interred in the Cedar Hill cemetery. In his political views he was a Republican, and in his church relations was a consistent and faithful member of the Congrega- tional Church. As a citizen he was honorable, prompt and true to every engagement, and as a man he held the honor and esteem of all classes of people, of all creeds and political proclivities. Throughout his career of continued and far-reach- ing usefulness his duties were performed with the greatest care, and during a long life his personal honor and integrity were without blemish.

On June 9, 1869, Mr. Savage was married, in Hartford, to Miss Elizabeth Blinn, who was born in Wethersfield Sept. 10, 1826, and is still living on the farm which her husband left her. She is a most estimable lady, an earnest Christian, and a faithful member of the Congregational Church of Wethersfield.

LEVI BLINN, father of Mrs. Savage, was a na- tive of Wethersfield, and a member of one of the oldest families of that town. In 1810 he married Miss Nancy Woodruff, who was born in Farming- ton Dec. II, 1781, and they became the parents of the following children: Nancy Adelia, born Dec. 1, 1811, married Walter Adams, and died Jan. 28, 1891 ; Cornelia, born Dec. 27, 1813, mar- Fied ( first) Chester Wilcox, and ( second ) Bulkley Edward, and died May 8, 1878; Harriet, born July 16, 1816, married Henry E. Rhodes, of New Brit- hin : Lucy Ann, born May 5, 1823, married Francis J. Calhoun, of Hartford, and is still living : Eliza- beth, born Sept. 10, 1826, is the widow of our sub- ject ; and Levi, born Dec. 17, 1832, died young. The father of this family died in Wethersfield, and was laid to rest in Cedar Hill cemetery, and the mother died in Hartford, and was interred in the same cemetery. They were highly respected and esteemed by all who knew them.

T. E. DUNCAN, for some time the popular superintendent of the Hartford Paper Co.'s plants at Poquonock and Rainbow, is one of the well-known ind prominent business men in that line. and by a horough practical training was well-qualified to ill his responsible position. He was born in Green- ville, Conn., July 18, 1855, and belongs to a family that has been quite prominently identified with aper manufactories in the United States,

Thomes Duncan, father of our subject, was born n Scotland, Aug. 13. 1832, a son of Thomas Dun-

can. Sr., and is descended from excellent Scottish stock. He was educated in the parochial schools of his native land. The first nine months after his arrival in this country he spent in New Jersey, and for over forty years he was a resident of Connecti- cut. where he became prominently identified with religious, political and other interests, his home being in Poquonock. For many years he has ·been engaged in the manufacture of paper, being one of the leading manufacturers in Hartford county during his residence here, and he is thoroughly familiar with every department of the work, from the office and management to the lowest position. He is connected with the Hartford Paper Co., the Globe Sulphite Boiler Co., and the Duncan Co., of which latter he is treasurer and general manager. He was superintendent of the Hartford Paper Co.'s Mills, at Poquonock, for a number of years, on Nov. 1, 1897, removing from that place to New York City. The plant of the Duncan Co. is one of the largest in the country, in completed state. Mr. Duncan is thoroughly a self-made man, his success in life being due to his own industry, enterprise and good management, and he is widely known as a business manager. During his residence in Poquonock he was one of the most valuable and influential citizens of the place, being especially prominent in religious matters. He was a deacon in the Congregational Church. was one of its fore- most members and liberal supporters, and is an influential representative of the denomination throughout the State, being a member of the Con- necticut Congregational Club. The loss to the church at Poquonock, in his departure, was a most severe one. Mr. Duncan took an active interest in all enterprises for the good of the community, and twice served as representative in the State Legisla- ture from Windsor, being elected on the Republican

ticket. He is a gentleman of most engaging person- ality, and has hosts of friends in Hartford county.

Thomas Duncan has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Grace Yule, who was born June 14, 1834, and died Feb. 15, 1867. To them were born five children: T. E., our subject ; John C., a well-known man in the paper trade, now residing in Mechanicsville, N. Y .: Grace, who died while attending Mt. Holyoke Seminary ; Agnes, who married Nelson R. Lord, of Poquonock, where she died April 1, 1897; and Elizabeth, wife of Dr. Eggleston, of Meriden, Conn. For his sec- ond wife Mr. Duncan married Mrs. Janet Gillies Wilbur. The Duncan family has been one of the most popular in Windsor.

During his boyhood. T. E. Duncan received the education necessary to fit him for a successful busi- ness life, and when entering his 'teens began to secure a good practical knowledge of the manufact- ure of paper. In the fall of 1869 he commenced work at the very bottom, as his father's influence did not serve to help him to secure a better position beyond what ability would justify. This first

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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 74

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