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 80

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 80

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company that fell back from the fort. On his re- turn from the war he located in East Hartford, where he lived until 1892; then removed to Haz- ardville, where he has since resided.

On May 4, 1870, in Enfield, Mr. Vibert married Anna K., daughter of Charles S. and Mary A. ( Ribble) Scattergood, natives of Philadelphia, and she bore him two children: Helena, now Mrs. Helena A. Vibert Porter, who has one daughter, Hazel L .; and Rollo O., deceased. Mr. Vibert was an honorary member of Rodman Post, No. 65, G. A. R., of East Hartford, Conn., later receiving an honorable discharge on his removal to Hazard- ville, Conn. In politics he is a Republican.

WILLIAM S. MORRIS, one of Wethersfield's most progressive citizens and successful market gardeners, was born in that town July 19, 1858.

Our subject's paternal grandfather, Moses Mor- ris, a native of Massachusetts, came to Connecti- cut when a young man, locating in Wethersfield, where he followed the trade of a carpenter and joiner and also engaged in farming, spending the remainder of his life here. While driving home from Hartford he fell from the seat of his wagon to the ground, and died from the effects of the fall. His remains were interred in the Wethersfield cem- etery. He was widely known and highly respected, was a consistent member of the Congregational Church, and in politics a Whig. In Wethersfield he married Miss Laura Welles, who was born March 8, 1800, a daughter of Samuel and Anna (Griswold) Welles, and a granddaughter of Ozias Griswold. Her father was a soldier in the Rev- olutionary war. To Mr. and Mrs. Morris were born three children: Samuel W., the father of our subject ; Frank, a merchant of Columbia, S. C .; and John M., who was a chaplain in the Civil war, and later a clerk in the United States Congress.

Samuel W. Morris, our subject's father, attended school in Wethersfield, but the greater part of his ed- ucation was obtained through his own unaided ef- forts. In early life he learned the blacksmith's trade, and followed the same throughout his busi- ness career in connection with farming. He spent three years in Milwaukee, Wis., and from there went to central Illinois, where he passed the fol- lowing four years, after which he returned to Weth- ersfield ; he subsequently spent four years in North and South Carolina, at the end of that time again returning to Wethersfield, and throughout the re- mainder of his life lived in Hartford county, pass- ing his last days in Newington, where he died, and was buried in Wethersfield. He was a consistent member of the Congregational Church, and an ardent supporter of the Republican party. In Weth- ersfield he married Jane Hastings Savage, a daugh- ter of Horace Savage, and sister of William Savage. [A sketch of the Savage family will be found else- where.] To Samuel W. and Jane H. (Savage) Morris were born the following children: Frank

Of S. morris

مححدود 1

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Savage, who died at the age of twenty-six years ; William S., our subject; Charles H., who died at the age of nineteen years; Laura, who died at the age of seventeen; Hattie E., who died at the age of fifteen; Mary, who died at the age of thirteen ; and John R., who died when young, in the South. For her second husband the mother married Charles S. Daniels, but had no children by that union. She was a faithful member of the Baptist Church.

Our subject accompanied his parents on their various removals, and his early education, obtained in the public schools of Wisconsin, Illinois and the South, was supplemented by a course in the Weth- ersfield high school. Throughout his active busi- ness life he has followed the occupation of farm- ing, and for several years past has resided on the old Savage farm, on Broad street, Wethersfield, where he has erected a fine residence and made many other improvements, which add greatly to the value and attractive appearance of the place. Here he is extensively engaged in market gardening, finding a ready sale for his products in Hartford. Industrious, energetic and enterprising, he has met with well-deserved success in his labors, and has become quite well-to-do.

In 1887 Mr. Morris married Miss Emma Churchill, a native of Wethersfield, and a daugh- er of the late Stephen Churchill, a sketch of whose family is given elsewhere. Our subject and his wife have had seven children : Frank Stephen, Mabel Churchill, Nellie J., William Savage (deceased at the age of seven years), Emma A., Ethel May and Alice Ruth. Politically Mr. Morris is identified with the Republican party, and fraternally is con- hected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- ows and the Grange, to which latter his wife also belongs. They are members of the Congregational Church, and are held in high regard by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.

MISS JULIET NILES, a resident of Windsor Poquonock), is now the only representative in hat locality of a family which has long held a prominent place in the social, political and busi- hess life of this section. The old homestead in Poquonock, where she resides, has been occupied by the family since 1780. To an excellent educa- ion, obtained in the schools of Westfield, Mass., nd the Pratt Street Seminary, Hartford, she has dded through reading and observation, and she pas the mental and physical poise which accompany rigorous health. She has always taken a lively in- erest in the events of the time, and her accurate memory makes her conversation on the circum- tances of the three generations through which her life has passed very interesting.

The first ancestor of this family of whom a efinite account is now obtainable was Rev. Ben- amin Niles, a clergyman of the Baptist Church, who resided for many years at Lyme, Conn. He married Lucy Sill June 30, 1743, and their

children were: Benjamin, born Sept. 20, 1744, who died young ; Phebe, born Sept. 4, 1746; Marý, born Feb. 17, 1748, who married a Mr. Dean; Joseph, born Jan. 7, 1750, who was a wealthy resi- dent of Spencertown, N. Y .; Moses, the grand- father of our subject; and Thomas, born July 2, 1760, who accompanied Moses to Poquonock, but later removed to a farm at Spencertown, N. Y., where he died leaving a valuable estate.

Moses Niles was born at Groton, Conn., Aug. 31, 1752, and settled on the homestead in Poquonock in early manhood, the present residence having been built by him previous to 1780. By occupa- tion he was a blacksmith, his shop being located on the brook, a short distance north of the residence, and his skill as a workman won him a high reputa- tion throughout the surrounding country. On Oct. 12, 1780, he was married, in Poquonock, to Miss Naomi Marshall, who was born Sept. 30, 1758, daughter of David Marshall. He died Nov. 24, 1789, at the homestead, at a comparatively carly age. His wife survived him a number of years, bringing up their family to lives of usefulness, and her death occurred March 19, 1830. Of their five children none are now living: Pamelia died in infancy ; Naomi, born Feb. 6, 1783, married Dr. Chauncey Pease, of Enfield, later of Hartford ; Richard is mentioned more fully below ; John M., formerly United States Senator from Connecticut, was one of the most honored statesmen of his day ; Pamela married Cyrus Griswold, of Poquonock.

Hon. Richard Niles was born Feb. 23, 1785, in the same house in which our subject resides, and his educational privileges were restricted to an attendance at the local schools. As he was but four years old when his father died, a sense of re- sponsibility was developed at an early age through the need for assisting his mother in the care of the younger children and the work of the farm. Being exceptionally studious, he not only took ad- vantage of every opportunity for instruction, but studied diligently in private, and at an early age was competent to teach. In this work he was very successful, being employed for the winter term dur- ing several years in the most important schools of the locality, and at one time he received $16 per month, the highest rate then paid. In the mean- time he continued to give attention to farming, and as a young man he became interested in the manufacture of paper, building a mill near the mouth of Stony brook, in partnership with Samuel Hollister. Before the plant was put into opera- tion the partners retired and he became associated with Samuel Hollister, an experienced paper man- ufacturer, with whom he conducted the mill for some time. He then sold his interest and joined Arunah Soper in building a large mill below the bridge at Poquonock, of which he afterward be- came the sole owner. This he operated until its destruction by fire, and after a time he began to build the stone mill now occupying the same site.

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His death occurred before it was completed, but his heirs finished it, and after renting it for some time sold it. His activity and energy enabled him to carry on the management of a large farm in ad- dition to other enterprises, and he was regarded as one of the leading citizens of his town. In pol- itics he was a Democrat, and for many years he held an influential place in the local organization, serving as representative in the State Legislature, and holding various town offices, including that of selectman. In religious affairs he was especially active in the Universalist Church, and his broad mind made him a ready supporter of advanced thought in all directions.

On May 7, 1810, Mr. Niles was married, at Poquonock, to Miss Christiana Griswold, and their happy union was ended by his death on June 19, 1846. Mrs. Christiana Niles was born May 23, 1784, daughter of Isaac and Christiana (Holcomb) Griswold, and lived to the good old age of ninety- four years and eleven months, dying April 26, 1879. Even then her health seemed good, and her faculties but little impaired, but a fall from the doorstep of the old home caused injuries which resulted in her death. Her long and useful life endeared her to the community as well as to her immediate fam- ily, and the memory of her high character will ever be an inspiration to all who knew her. (I) Juliet, our subject, who was born March 10, 1811, is the eldest of a family of six children. (2) Lucadia C., born June 25, 1813, was married Aug. 22, 1850, to Elisha Marshall Pease, now deceased, who for several terms was governor of Texas, and now re- sides in Austin, Texas. She has had three children : Carrie A., married George Graham, and died in Austin (she had five children, Marshall P., George T., Walter P., Richard N. and Carrie M.) ; Julia M., now a resident of Austin; and Annie A., de- ceased. (3) Moses R., born July 15, 1818, died Jan. 3, 1819. . (4) Augusta E., born in July, 1820, died March 14, 1822. (5) Maria H., born Nov. 3, 1822, was married, May 14, 1851, to Rev. Clark R. Moore, and died Nov. 30, 1874, at Boston High- lands. They had three children, Julia Edith, Emma P. and Mary Niles. (6) Augusta F., born April 7, 1825, was married, Oct. 6, 1846, to Eliphalet Ladd, and died March 16, 1860. She had three children: Christine, born Dec. 1, 1847, married Fabian Franklin, professor of mathematics in the Johns Hopkins University, and has one child, Mar- garet Ladd. Henry, born June 12, 1850, who re- sides in Austin, Texas, married Bessie Hoxie, and has one child, Henry Hoxie Ladd. Jane Augusta, born Oct. 31, 1854, married, July 3, 1889, Alfred McCordie, and has three children, Christine Ruth, Fletcher and Malcomb.

Christine Ladd Franklin, granddaughter of Richard Niles, daughter of Eliphalet and Augusta Niles Ladd, of Portsmouth, N. H., has won a rep- utation as a scientific investigator and writer upon scientific and other subjects. She graduated at

Vassar College in 1869, and, for some years, while engaged in teaching various branches of science, devoted herself largely to the study of advanced pure mathematics. During this time she made con- tributions to the "Educational Times" (London) and other mathematical publications; and in 1878 her application to be admitted as a graduate student in the Johns Hopkins University was granted (owing to the strong recommendation of Sylvester, the illustrious professor of mathematics at this uni- versity), though no woman had been allowed that privilege before, and very few have received it since. At the close of her first year's residence she was placed on the footing of a Fellow for the following year, an honor which was twice renewed. During her residence at the Johns Hopkins she published several mathematical papers, and a paper on "The Algebra of Logic." Since that period her work has lain chiefly in the field of physiolog- ical optics, the explanation of color-perception be- ing the chief subject of her researches. The theory constructed by her to account for the phenomena of color-vision is regarded by some of the foremost authorities on the subject as more satisfactory than any other yet devised. She has, for a number of years, had charge of the department relating to this subject in the "Psychological Review" (edited by Prof. Cattell, of Columbia, and Prof. Baldwin, of Princeton), and she has been entrusted with the chief work in the same department for the large "Dictionary of Philosophy and Psychology," of which she is one of the associate editors, Prof. Baldwin being the editor-in-chief. Besides the article on logic already mentioned, Mrs. Franklin has published several other important articles on the same subject, and has been a frequent con- tributor of reviews and other articles to "The Na- tion," "Science," and other periodicals.

HON. JOHN MILTON NILES. Few histories in this volume possess as great an intrinsic interest as this brief record of one of Hartford county's most distinguished sons, who, as statesman, politi- cian, author and editor, wielded commanding in- fluence in the troubled times that marked the earlier half of this century. To his foresight and disin- terested effort was due, in a large measure, the prompt response of Connecticut in the great move- ment which resulted in the formation of the Re- publican party, and, while he did not live to see the triumph of his principles, doubtless to his prophetic vision was vouchsafed an assurance of the mighty work to be accomplished by that organization. The following account, taken from Stiles' "History of Ancient Windsor," written by Hon. Gideon Welles, of Hartford, reveals the outlines of a life of en- deavor that could not well have been spared among the influences which have shaped the course of the nation.

Senator Niles was born at Windsor Aug. 20, 1787, son of Moses and Naomi ( Marshall) Niles.

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Losing his father in early childhood, his educa- tional advantages were restricted to the opportuni- ties afforded by a common district school, such as they were at the close of the last century. As he realized their defects he resolved upon further study, and being limited in his means, and deeming him- self too old for collegiate advantages, he accord- ingly entered at once upon a course of systematic and laborious work, which he followed up with such assiduity as for a time to impair his health. With an inquisitive and keenly discriminating in- tellect, fond of statistics, and a memory that re- tained every incident and event that came within his reading and observation, his mind became a great storehouse of facts that were easily at com- mand, and made him always formidable to political and legislative opponents. Few men associated with him in the public councils were more con- versant with history, better understood the science of government, or had more deeply investigated the political and civil institutions of our own and other countries. Madison's administration covered a time of high party excitement, sharpened by the commercial restrictions which the Federal admin- stration had deemed necessary to prevent our coun- try from becoming involved in wars that were then sweeping over almost the whole of the civilized world. Mr. Niles, while yet a student in the of- ice of John Sargeant, was a zealous Republican and supporter of the administration and policy of Mr. Madison. The Courts and Bar, as well as the State authorities, were almost unanimously of the op- posite politics. Diffident and unassuming in his manners, but earnest and firm in his convictions, Mr. Niles was frank in the avowal of his opinions ind principles, and the reasons by which he was governed. A portion of his leisure he devoted to political essays, most of which were published in he "American Mercury," at Hartford. Being at- ached, however, to his profession, and his circum- cribed means rendering it necessary that he should ttend to something else than political controversies or a livelihood, he contemplated migrating to some ther State. With this in view he visited Ver- hont, New York and Pennsylvania, but returned Connecticut, undecided and without any definite lan for the future. It was while at Harrisburg ? 1815 that he formed his first slight acquaintance with James Buchanan, William J. Duane. and Joel . Sutherland, then young men of about his own ge, and each of them for the first time members f the Pennsylvania Legislature. This acquaint- mice was twenty years after renewed with cach, nder widely different circumstances.

The termination of the war and retirement of Ir. Madison extinguished political issues that had een long in controversy, and led to a dissolution of he National party organizations which had for ears divided the country, but during the general nxiety on Federal politics that characterized the Ionroe administration, public action became con-

centrated on local differences within the States. In Connecticut there was a growing disquietude in regard to the old order of things, and the dynasty in power steadily refused to yield to innovations. The times were auspicious for the reformers to press their views, and radical changes were de- manded, the most prominent of which were an extension of the right of suffrage, religious equality, and a written constitution defining and limiting the power of government. Mr. Niles embarked in these reformatory measures with zeal, energy and ability, and more than any other man, perhaps, con- tributed to the evolution of parties which followed. To forward his views and give them efficiency, he, with the co-operation of others, established, in January, 1817, the Hartford Times, a paper that acquired an immediate local position and influence. He was for several years the exclusive editor of that paper, and for thirty years continued to be a liberal contributor to its columns. In 1821 the General Assembly appointed him one of the Asso- ciate Judges of the County Court for the county of Hartford, an appointment which he filled eight years and then declined to hold it longer. In 1826 he was elected a representative from the town of Hartford to the General Assembly. The Republi- cans nominated him as their candidate for the Sen- ate in 1827, but, being friendly to the election of Gen. Jackson, a portion of the party refused to sus- tain him, and he was consequently defeated. This proceeding contributed perhaps to his activity, as it certainly gave him prominence in instituting and organizing what was subsequently known as the Democratic party which elected and sustained Gen. Jackson.

In the spring of 1829 Mr. Niles was appointed postmaster at Hartford, a place he resigned on receiving from Gov. Edwards the executive ap- pointment of Senator in Congress, the post having been made vacant by the death of Nathan Smith. This appointment was confirmed by the Legisla- ture when it assembled, and he represented the State in the Senate until March, 1839. He was the Demo- cratic candidate for Governor in 1839, and again in 1840. In the latter year Pres. Van Buren tendered him the office of Postmaster-General, and the Senate unanimously confirmed his nomination. Retiring with Mr. Van Buren in March, 1841, he was again in 1842 re-elected to represent Connecti- cut in the Senate of the United States. This place he held until the expiration of the term, in 1849, when he relinquished official life, although lie re- tained to the close of his days an abiding and lively interest on all political subjects. In the Senate lie took an active part in the proceedings and de- bates steadily during his whole career. Although not a brilliant speaker, lie was a ready, interesting and instructive debater, one whose accurate knowl- edge, acute and just discrimination, and sound common sense, were acknowledged and appreciated by men of all parties. The financial questions which

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called into existence the Whig and Democratic par- ties generated intense animosities, and to some ex- tent affected social intercourse. The unyielding firm- ness and uncompromising character of Senator Niles, particularly when principles were involved, led many to misunderstand and misapprehend his genial and kindly nature. There was less partisan bitterness in his last than in his first senatorial term in consequence of the adjustment and final disposition of the exciting financial questions that had agitated and convulsed the country, and he was not one who desired to perpetuate differences when the causes which led to them ceased to exist.

No man more fully recognized the utility and necessity of party organization to accomplish and carry into effect important measures based on fun- damental principles, but under no circumstances would he abandon or surrender those principles to the mandates of organization. This was in his view a perversion and abuse of party to which he would not submit. It was an axiom with him that party and organization must be subordinate and subsidiary to principles, and principles should never be sec- ondary or sacrificed to party. Hence, on repeated occasions when the party with which he acted took a new position, he was brought into conflict with valued friends, eventuating to some extent in a change of associates but not of principles. This was the case in 1820, when the party which revo- lutionized the State neglected, as he conceived, to carry to their fulfillment reforms with which they commenced. Again in the election of Jackson, and the bank controversy at a later period, he disre- garded the old organization with which he had been connected because, as he alleged, it was faith- less to the principles which originated it. The bank and kindred measures he denounced as cen- tralizing, as an invasion of the reserved rights of the States, and an unwarrantable assumption of power by the Federal Government. Though as- sailed with unsparing virulence, he ably vindicated his adherence to principles which he deemed funda- mental and essential. The acquisition of large ad- ditional territory from Mexico near the close of his senatorial service brought the subject of ex- tending and nationalizing slavery prominently be- fore the country. Incidental to, and connected with, this subject was the territorial policy of the government, which it was proposed to change in order to strengthen the organization on these new issues. Promptly, and at the threshold, Senator Niles met the question, and denounced the scheme as a perversion of the objects, purposes and prin- ciples of the Democratic party, whose mission was of a different character. Adhering to the primitive doctrine of strictly construing the constitution, and limiting the authority of the Federal Government to the powers granted, he deemed that Congress could not legislate slavery into the territories or delegate that power or permission to others. No obligation of party or allegiance to organization

could swerve him or induce him. to sacrifice his conscientious convictions on this subject, for his opinions were deliberately formed, and essential principles were involved. With all the ardor and sincerity of his earlier years he opposed what in his view were the centralizing tendencies of the ad- ministration. As the controversy progressed, his opinions became more decided and his feelings more interested, and believing the emergency required extraordinary efforts he, at the age of sixty-eight, projected the establishment of a new daily paper and the organization of a distinct Republican party, to act in concert with others in the different States who were commencing a similar movement. While earnestly engaged in the prosecution of these la- bors of disinterested political duty, a cancerous af- fection developed itself in his system. Undeterred by this affliction, he persevered in what he consid- ered to be his dtuy to its consummation. Through his instrumentality, the Hartford Press was estab- lished, being first published in February, 1856. A Republican State Convention was held in March of the same year, and the Republican party was forthwith organized, but his disease in the mean- time had made such progress as to compel him to discontinue his labors. His last public effort and his last appearance among his fellow citizens was at the Republican Convention in March. He breathed his last on the 3Ist of May, 1856, in the, sixty-ninth year of his age.

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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 80

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