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 86

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 86

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Mr. Burnham is not a politician in any sense, but supports the principles of the Republican party. He is not a member of any secret order. Relig- iously he holds membership in the Burnside Method- ist Episcopal Church, of which his wife and four children are also members, to the maintenance of which they contribute most liberally, and to the teachings of which they strictly adhere. Of this church Mr. Burnham is also a steward and trustee. He is a very pleasant and sociable gentleman, and consequently very popular. As a business man his name has never been tarnished with a breath that reflected upon his integrity, and his standing to- day, in business, social and church circles, is one in which he and his family may take a justifiable and commendable pride.

JOHN E. HIGINBOTHAM. A well-known author has said that the "authentic picture of any human being's life and experience ought to possess an interest greatly beyond that which is fictitious, inasmuch as it has the charm of reality." The his- tories of prominent citizens contained in this vol- ume corroborate this thought, and in the following record of well-directed effort we find an object lesson of lasting value.

Mr. Higinbotham, who is one of the leading business men of the town of Windsor, is of Eng- lish descent in the paternal line, the first of the family to come to America being his grandfather, William Higinbotham. This worthy citizen was born at Alhorn, England, in 1778, and in early life learned the trade of knitting stockings, a thriving business in those days of knee breeches, and also Lecame a skilled mechanic. As a young man he made his home in this country, and was married, in New York City, to Miss Elizabeth Walton, who was born at Hull, England, in 1789. Later he re- sided for a time in Canaan, Conn., but a Mr. New- berry employed him, and caused his removal to Windsor, where he set up his old-fashioned hand looms in his home, and in addition to his regular

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work often instructed others in the art. He was a large man, weighing about two hundred and fif- teen pounds, and was an industrious and respected citizen. As the business declined he retired, and his last days were spent with his only son, Will- iam W., his death occurring June 9, 1860, when he was aged eighty-two. His estimable wife passed away on May 27, of the same year, and their re- mains now rest in the cemetery at Windsor. Both were devout members of the Methodist Church.

William W. Higinbotham, our subject's father, was born in 1811, in New York, and was but a boy when the family settled in Windsor, where he received his education. During boyhood he was employed for some time in a brick yard at eight dollars per month, and while there became familiar with the details of the business. He was ambitious and, having an opportunity for renting the yard, found a helper in Col. Loomis, who advanced the required money and thus gave him a start. By hard work and judic.ous management he won a decided success, being worth about $23,000 at his death, and in his later years he purchased different tracts of land and engaged in agricultural pur- suits. He was a powerful, robust man, of about 220 pounds weight, and lived to the age of sev- enty-three years, dying Nov. 4. 1884. Politically he was a Republican, and although he uniformly avoided public notice he served one year as asses- sor. His home was a comfortable one, as he was not a believer in self-denial, and his children were reared so as to prepare them for lives of useful- ness. Mr. Higinbotham was married, in Bloom- field, Nov. 30, 1836, to Miss Betsey Filley, daugh- ter of Elijah Filley, and a member of a highly- respected family of that town. She was a Methodist in religion, and died in that faith June 6, 1894, aged seventy-six years. They had ten children : Sarah, who married H. N. Griswold, of Windsor ; John E., our subject; Walton G., an orange grow- er, at Blanton, Fla .; Betsey A., who died Sept. 4, 1853; Miss Amanda, a resident of Seelyville, Penn. ; Ellen, who married Seymour Alden, and died June 17, 1886, in Middlebury, Vt .; Henry, a grocer at Tariffville; Henrietta (twin of Henry), who mar- ried Robert Ransom, of Seelyville, Penn .; Miss Carrie, who resides in Seelyville ; and William, who married Martha Pelton, and settled in Centerville, South Dakota.

John E. Higinbotham was born Nov. 4, 18441, at Windsor, and began his education in the ohl schools on "The Green," Judge Barber, Sr., being one of his first teachers. Later he attended Deacon Woodford's private school for one term, and also the academy, and during this time he assisted in the farm work, and often helped to haul brick from Windsor during the winter season. He remained at home and, as his father becanie less active, took charge of the farm. At the age of thirty he mar- mied Miss Julia A. Olin, daughter of George W. and Zippiette E. (Green) Olin, of whom an account

is given elsewhere. For some years he lived in the old family residence, but in the spring of 1896 he removed to another farm on Cook's Hill, which lie had purchased from Sidney Hayden, and im- proved at great expense, erecting new and commo- dious farm buildings. In 1896 his barn was burned, and Nov. 12, 1897, every building on the place was destroyed by fire, causing the family to return to the old home. Mr. Higinbotham is a successful business man, and is interested in various enter- prises, being a stockholder in Moore's Park Asso- ciation and the Windsor Creamery Co., which he helped to organize, while at one time he was a stockholder in the Windsor Canning Factory. He is also the present treasurer of the Windsor Fire Com- pany, in which he was foreman for fifteen years. In politics he is a steadfast Republican, and from 1889 to 1896 he served as first selectman, his termi cover- ing the period when the greater portion of the pres- cnt excellent roads in his town was constructed. The trolley lines were projected and built during that time, as well as the fine iron bridge at Poquonock. and he is remembered as an efficient and able offi- cial. He is prominent in the work of the Poquo- nock Grange, and also belongs to Washington Lodge, No. 70, F. & A. M., at Windsor, and Will- iam S. Pierson Council, O. C. A. M., of which he was a founder and the first inductor. llis wife who is highly cultured, and taught school success- fully before her marriage, is an active member of the Methodist Church, and the family is much re- spected socially. Of their two children, Grace 1. miaried Frederick Lanphier, a dairyman of Poquo- Bock, and .Arthur O). is at home.

HENRY HIGINBOTHAM, a prosperous mer- chant at Windsor, is descended from an honorable old family of that town, in which he was born Sept. 25, 1856, his parents being William W. and Betsey ( Filley) Higinbothani, of whom full men- tion is made elsewhere.

Mr. Higinbotham received his rudimentary edu cation in the district school of Windsor, later at- tended the Windsor Academy, when that capable instructor, Cicero Roberts, held sway, and finally graduated from the New Britain Normal School in 1877, afterward successfully teaching school in East Granby and Simsbury, several terms. He was reared a farmer's boy, had practical ideas as to farm work, and when a young man labored as assiduously as any other; he also worked considerably in a brick-yard, as his father had been engaged in brick - making for years. His first experience in mercan- tile affairs was as clerk for Loomis & Whittleses. on Asyhun street, Hartford, and after leaving him he worked for 1. W. Clark & Co., wholesale mer- chants of the same city.

Mr. Higginbotham began business on his own ac- count. March 1. 1886, in South Ashfield, Mas .. where he bought out Arthur W. Harris, and for seven years conducted a prosperous trade in general

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merchandise, also serving as postmaster of the town. In March, 1893, he purchased the interest of Mr. Coe in the firm of Coe & Pickett, general merchants at Tariffville, Conn., and after two years of partner- ship with Mr. Pickett, he associated himself with J. L. Dewey, at the same stand. On March 1, 1899, he sold his interest to J. T. Curtiss, and at the same time bought the business conducted by M. D. Murphy, general merchant, at Windsor, and here he is doing an excellent trade.

On June 1I, 1884, Mr. Higinbotham married Miss Angie L. Fitch, daughter of Charles and Mary (Palmer) Fitch, of Windsor, and to this union have been born three children: Charles W. and Chelsie F., still living, and Earle F., who died at the age of two years.

In politics, Mr. Higinbotham is a Republican, but, curiously enough, served twice as postmaster under the Democratic President Cleveland's ad- ministration, and, still more curiously, at one time, in 1893, was postmaster, from May to July, at two places-South Ashfield, Mass .. and Tariffville, Conn. -and also held a notary-public's commission at the latter place. Fraternally, Mr. Higinbotham is a member of the Masonic Lodge, at Simsbury, and of Summit Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Hartford. He and his wife are consistent members of the Episcopal Church, in which he served as vestryman and sec- retary at Tariffville.

Mr. Higinbotham is a thorough-going, system- atic, business man, and has always borne an untarn- ished name as such. He has realized through his personal efforts a snug competence, and wherever he has lived has been recognized as a progressive and public-spirited citizen.

LEVI SEDGWICK WELLS traces his lineal descent back through seven generations to Gov. Thomas Wells of Colonial days. In the descend- ing line his ancestry runs as follows: Thomas, a son of the Governor, born in England in 1627 ; Icha- bod, son of Thomas, born at Wethersfield in No- vember, 1660; Jonathan, son of Ichabod, born at Hartford Sept. 17, 1689; Elisha, son of Jonathan, born in 1723 at West Hartford, where he died in 1780; Levi, son of Elisha, born in Rocky Hill, Hart- ford county, in 1764; Horace, son of Levi, and fa- ther of Levi S. Wells, born Aug. 11, 1795, in New- ington. His grandfather, Levi Wells, was married Dec. 9, 1790, to Hannah Wells, whose father, grand- father and great-grandfather were named Robert, and who also traced her descent back to Gov. Wells, through another son, John.

Levi Wells combined the occupations of farmer and shoemaker, tanning his own leather. and being fairly prosperous in both vocations. He bought his farm, which included a considerable portion of that now owned by his grandson, Levi S., of Timothy Kilbourn, in the spring of 1800, and died at his home on Oct. 23, 1823. Ilis wife, Hannah, had passed away March 1, 1809. The children of their

marriage are Lydia, the wife of Augustus Flagg, who spent his life and died in West Hartford ; Levi, who lived and died in Illincis ; Horace ; Hannah and Elvey became the first and second wives, respect- ively, of Chester Hart; Lemuel W., and Marilla, Mrs. Ralph Shipman.

Horace Wells, the father of Levi S., inherited a share of his father's estate and bought out the heirs on East street, besides purchasing a portion of his uncle Lemuel's property, at Yonkers, N. Y. He was an industrious, thrifty, careful man, whose prosperity was largely due to his sound judgment and keen business sense. During his life-time he was regarded as one of the leading men of New Britain, and was twice chosen to represent his fellow citizens in the Legislature. He was a member of the First Congregational Church. He was united in mar- riage to Pamela Sedgwick, who was born Feb. 28, 1798, a daughter of Timothy and Lucy Sedgwick, the bride's mother's maiden name having also been Sedgwick. It is rather a singular coincidence that both the paternal and maternal grandmothers of Mr. Wells should have borne the same name as their husbands. The children of Horace and Pamela Wells were named Levi Segwick; Lemuel R .; Lu- celia, who married Albert D. Judd, of Wallingford ; and Catherine, who died at the age of seventeen. The father entered into rest Nov. 2, 1865, and his wife survived him for sixteen years, passing away in 1881, at the ripe old age of eighty-three.

Levi S. Wells was born at New Britain Feb. 25, 1825, on the old homestead where he yet lives. He attended the school conducted in the old Academy building, which stood near the site of the present Burritt school, named in honor of Elihu Burritt. During one winter he was a pupil at a school in West Hartford. His text-books were those of the early days, and among them was Adams' Arithme- tic. His boyhood's education was chiefly confined to the "three R.'s," but in them he was well ground- ed. What deficiencies there were in his early train- ing he has, in a marked degree, counterbalanced by a course of well-directed reading in later years. During three or four winters he himself taught a district school at Newington. His life, however, has been mainly devoted to agriculture. He as- sisted his father in the cultivation of the paternal farm until his brother Lemuel became of age, when the two sons assumed its management, devoting their attention mainly to the raising of fancy cattle. After the death of his brother, which occurred soon after that of his father, he acquired sole ownership of the property, which he has managed ever since.

While devoting himself chiefly to farming Mr. Wells has also been interested in other business en- terprises. He was one of the original incorporators of the New Britain Savings Bank, in 1862; and has always been a member of its board of directors. For the last twenty-six years he has been president, being elected in 1874, to succeed William H. Smith. He assists in making the loans, and under his judi-

Levi S. Wille

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cious management the institution has enjoyed a rapid and remarkable growth. He is also a director of the American Hosiery Co. He has held the offices of selectman and assessor for a number of terms. His political creed was originally that of the "Old-line Whigs," but since the founding of the Republican party he has acted with that organiza- tion, and has been an active worker in promoting its success, both National and local. In 1878 he represented New Britain in the General Assembly, and was a member of the first Legislature to sit in the new capitol. He was the first master of Bur- ritt Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and has always taken a lively interest in the welfare of the organi- zation. He is vice-president of the Patrons Mutual Fire Insurance Co., an association incorporated un- der State law. He and his wife are members of the First Congregational Church of New Britain.

In 1848 Mr. Wells married Harriet, a daughter of Robert Francis, of Newington, and by her had three children : Herman F, a farmer living on the old homestead; Horace L., who graduated from Yale College in 1877, and is now professor of chem- istry in that institution; and Kate, the wife of George Johnson, of Plainville, a car dispatcher for the street railway company. Mrs. Wells died Sept. 6, 1896, and on Nov. 24, 1897, he was married to Miss F. Gertrude Treat, a daughter of Robert Treat, of Morris, Litchfield county, a lincal de- scendant of Gov. Treat, of Colonial fame.

HARRY WOODFORD, a respected and rising young farmer of the town of East Windsor, was born in North Kilworth, England, Nov. 21, 1858, the youngest son of Charles and Charlotte (Ireson) Woodford.

John Woodford, grandfather of our subject, was born in Husband-Bosworth, and here passed all his life, dying in the faith of the Episcopal Church. He was a farmer by calling. He left two sons, Charles and Benjamin, and the widow lived with Charles for many years, and later with Benjamin. The latter was killed by a railroad train near Market Harborough, his home.

Charles Woodford was but nine years of age when his father died, and the support of the mother fell chiefly upon him, although he was nobly assisted by his younger brother. At the age of nine years he hired out as a farm lad to Esquire Turville, work- ing as such until fourteen years old, after which he served as a blacksmith's apprentice, learned the trade, and for a few years worked as a journeyman. He then bought a lot in North Kilworth, on which he erected a shop and dwelling, but some years later rented out these premises and removed to Copt-Oak, where he rented a farm from Lord Stamford, living thereon until 1890, when he re- moved to Markfield. There he resumed farming for a few years, but he is now living in retirement, a remarkably well-preserved man of eighty years. He married Charlotte Ireson, a native of Dingley,

Northamptonshire, by whom he had fourteen chil- dren. She died in March, 1885, in the faith of the Established Church.

Harry Woodford, whose name opens this memoir, received a good common-school education, remained at home until seventeen years old, and was then apprenticed to a stockinet manufacturer. After having served out his apprenticeship he rented a farm near Copt-Oak, from Lord Stamford, and later conducted an alehouse for a year or so. Hav- ing decided to come to America, he embarked on the "Arizona," at Liverpool, and nine days later, May 11, 1891, landed at New York. It had been his intention to seek a home in the West and en- gage in farming, and he had forwarded money to a New York bank to be drawn after his arrival, but by the failure of the forwarding clerk in Eng- land to furnish him with the proper means of identi- fication his money was refused him, and it became necessary for him to seek immediate employment, as he had brought with him only sufficient funds to defray incidental expenses. He then bethought himself of a friend, John Spiby, who was working for John Miller, who lived near Windsorville, Conn., sought him out, and by Arthur Hamilton was given employment that lasted the following summer. The next winter he was employed as a helper in the con- struction of the Rockville school house. He then came to Broad Brook, was employed by James B. Stiles . a few months, and Dec. 1, 1892, secured a position in the Broad Brook mill. Some time afterward he was offered by Mrs. Blodgett, a widow, the man- agement of her farm, which offer he accepted, re- linquishing the position in the mill.

Mr. Woodford now found himself in a position to send for his wife, whom he had married Dec. 24, 1885, and who rejoined him two years after his departure from England. Mrs. Woodford bore the maiden name of Annie Birch, and was born in Leicestershire, England, a daughter of George and Hannah (Taylor) Birch. She was educated in the common schools, was reared in the faith of the Established Church, and is a pleasant, hospitable, gracious woman. Mr. Woodford continued in the service of Mrs. Blodgett until the latter's death, in 1897, and then purchased the farm, which he still occupies, blessed with the presence of his wife, and standing among the substantial and respected farm- ers of his town-a good, modest and useful citizen.

THEODORE E. ELLSWORTH was born March 21, 1831, on his present homestead, and is a member of a well-known family of that locality. Jason Ellsworth, his father, wasmarried three times : (first) to Miss Mary l'helps, (second) to Miss Sarah Morton, and (third) to Miss Nancy Terry. Theodore E. was one of six children born to the first marriage who lived to maturity.

As a boy Mr. Ellsworth became familiar with the details of agricultural work through assisting his father on the homestead, and his education was

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obtained in the local schools and the academy at Westfield, Mass. Early in 1852 he went to Buffalo, N. Y., thence to Chicago and Milwaukee, spending the summer in the West, and returning home in the fall. After his marriage he spent a few months in Madison, Wis., and a year in the vicinity of Jackson- ville, Fla., but since 1868 he has resided at the old home. In September, 1862, Mr. Ellsworth enlisted in the Union army, becoming a private in Company G, 25th Conn. V. I., for one year. He was mus- tered in at Hartford and sent to Long Island, and after a short time the regiment went to New Or- leans and Carrollton, La. Their first engagement was at Irish Bend, La., and they also took part in the operations around Port Hudson, remaining until the surrender of that place. At the expiration of his term Mr. Ellsworth received an honorable dis- charge at Hartford.

On Oct. 31, 1866, Mr. Ellsworth married Miss Imogene Phelps, and three children have blessed the union: Albert D., Jannette and Theodora.

HENRY LYDALL, best known in Manchester, Hartford county, as a member of the Lydall & Foulds Paper Co., who have two mills in that town, is a splendid example of the thoroughly self-made man, one who has risen from the bottom round of the ladder to a position of eminence in the business world, and secured the respect and confidence of his fellow men in general.

Mr. Lydall was born Oct. 1, 1831, in Leicester- shire, England, son of James and Mary ( West) Lydall, who were the parents of nine children : Maria, Harriet and Eliza, all three of whom are de- ceased ; Fanny, who became the wife of William Foulds, and is now living in Manchester with her son William; Charles, who is a resident of New Britain, Conn .; Isaac, living in Manchester ; Mary, wife of John Hallam, of Manchester ; Henry ; and Hannah, Mrs. William Williams, living in New Britain.

Henry Lydall was but nine years of age when he went to the town of Derby and commenced work in the Darley cotton mills, where he remained for about two years, after which, up to the age of four- teen, he was employed in the Derby silk-mills. He then began to learn the trade of needle-maker, at Sheepshead, at which he served seven years, his parents paying seven pounds at the beginning of his term, during which he received only his board in exchange for his services. At the end of this pe- riod he went to work for a distant relative, Jolın Lydall, by whom he was employed at his trade one year, after which he returned home and took up the manufacture of needles on his own account on a small scale, continuing thus for another year. Then for a short time he was engaged in making the nee- dles for the employes of a knitting factory at Not- tingham, receiving twenty-two shillings per week, at this place. On Sept. 5, 1855, with his wife and two children, he started for America, and after a

voyage of five weeks and three days landed at Cas- tle Garden, from New York taking boat to New Haven, Conn., and thence proceeding to New Brit- ain, Hartford county, where one of his brothers was living. He began making needles in this brother's house, using the attic for a work-room, and as busi- ness increased removed his shop thence to a small building in the garden, back of the house. Mr.

Lydall continued to manufacture needles in New Britain until the Civil war, at which time his busi- ness had grown to such proportions that he gave employment to eight men, and had a well-estab- lished trade. Turning the management over to his nephew, William Foulds, he enlisted, on Aug. 6, 1862, as a member of Company F, 14th Conn. V. I., was mustered in at Hartford, and served until the close of the war, seeing active service during the greater part of this time. He took part in twenty-eight important battles, among them: An- tietam; Bolivar Heights; Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862; Chancellorsville, May 2-3, 1863; Gettysburg, July 2-3, 1863 ; Falling Waters, Md., July 16, 1863; Auburn, Va., Oct. 14, 1863; Bristow Station, Oct. 15, 1863; Centerville, Va., Nov. 15, 1863; Mine Run, Va., Dec. 1, 1863; Morton Ford, Va., Feb. 6, 1864; Wilderness, May 6, 1864; Laurel Hill, May 10, 1864; Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864; North Anna River, May 24, 1864; Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864; Petersburg, June 16-17, 1864; Deep Bottom, Aug. 15, 1864 ; and Ream's Station, Aug. 25, 1864. Mr. Lydall was taken prisoner at the last mentioned bat- tle, but he escaped the same night. He was with his command continuously except for the three months he was confined to Alexandria hospital with fever, and he received his discharge May 31. 1865, at Hartford, having made a record of which he had every reason to be proud. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant Nov. 1, 1863.

Mr. Lydall returned to New Britain at the close of his military service, and in the fall of 1865 re- moved thence to Manchester, where he has ever since had his home. He resumed work at his trade, having purchased a small plant of James Gaskill, who about that time had invented the process of turning out needles by machinery, doing away with the tedious work of filing, etc., which the hand process necessitated. Mr. Lydall has enlarged this establishment from time to time, and at one time he manufactured as many as fifty thousand needles per day. For the past eighteen years he has been a member of the Lydall & Foulds Paper Co., who operate two paper-mills in the town of Manches- ter, but he has now relinquished active business cares for the most part, his sons attending to the rather arduous duties connected with the manage- ment of his interests. He now devotes the greater part of his time and attention to looking after his farm and the culture of peaches, finding welcome rest in the change and enjoying to the full the ample competence which has rewarded his busy life.

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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 86

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