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 87

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 87

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Mr. Lydall is a remarkable example of the self-

Henry Lydall

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

made man. He had no schooling whatever until he was nine years of age. when he commenced to learn reading by attending Sunday-school; but he gave such promise as a student that when he was nine years old the man for whom he worked sent him an order to attend school for three months. He went to school in all six months, his wages contin- uing just the same, and he supplemented this begin- ning by study at night school and elsewhere, as op- portunity offered, until he had acquired a good prac- tical education. These early experiences, besides developing his strong natural intellect, did as much for the determination and perseverance which have always been such marked traits in his character, and which have proven of inestimable value to him in his later years. He has gained and maintained a high place in the esteem of all who have come in contact with him, in any of the relations of life, and his success has no doubt been due as much to his manly worth as to his industry and careful business habits.

On Sept. 4, 1852, Mr. Lydall was united in mar- riage, in his native country, to Miss I.ucy Rogers, who was born July 4, 1831, at Sheepshead, Eng- land, and to their union have come children as fol- lows: Annie, born Aug. 2, 1853, is the wife of Hi- ram Oldershaw, of New Britain; Charles A., born May 27, 1855, is a resident of New Britain ; William H., born July 31, 1857, is deceased ; Isaac E., born June 29, 1859, is deceased ; Walter E., born April 15, 1860, is engaged in the manufacture of paper at Manchester ; Edwin A., born June 15, 1862, is a member of the Lydall & Foulds Paper Co., of Man- chester ; and Willis J., born Jan. 3. 1867, who has charge of his father's needle factory. The mother passed away May 28, 1898, after an illness of but a few days. The family are identified with the M. E. Church, of which Mr. Lydall has long been an active member, and he has been chairman of the board of trustees for ten years. Socially he holds membership with Stanley Post, G. A. R., of New Britain. He is a Republican in political sentiment, but takes no part in public affairs, though he has always given a loyal support and his influence to all forward movements in the community.

DANIEL W. BARNES, a highly esteemed resi- dent of the town of Windsor, is a man whose pros- perity demonstrates the fact that farming can be made to pay. Beginning his career without any capital except his own energy and ambition, lie has steadily increased the amount of land under his supervision until now he cultivates as much as any other man in the town, and his results have been so uniformally good as to indicate more than ordi- jnary sagacity and skill in management.

Mr. Barnes was born Jan. 19. 1860, on the old Barnes homestead near Poquonock, and belongs to a well-known family. Lehman Barnes, his grand- father, resided at the old farm for many years, and his wife, Anna Bancroft, was a native of East Wind-

sor. This worthy couple had eight children, the eldest of whom was a boy who died in infancy. Of the others, Lucinda married Edwin Griswold; of Poquonock, both now deceased ; Harriet married the late Byron W. Allen, who died July 14, 1890; Horace G. married Eliza Eno, both deceased : John F. married Flora Ann Gridley, both deceased ; Caro- line married Collins Moore, of Bloomfield; Abel H., our subject's father, is mentioned below, and the youngest child died in infancy.

Abel H. Barnes was born in August, 1833, at the old homestead, and was reared as a farmer boy, receiving only a common-school education. In early manhood he took charge of the home farm, but later he rented other farms, in the same locality, including the Griswold place. For thirteen years he resided in Bloomfield, engaging in dairying and general farming, but since 1885 he has maue h.s home on the "L. Ellsworth farm. ' near Hayden Station. He is well-preserved and is still active, he and his estimable wife being prominent in rehg- ious work as members of the Methodist Church, in which he has served as trustee and steward. While he is in sympathy with the Democratic party in many respects, he is not a blind partisan, and votes for the best man wherever he finds him. On Sept, 25, 1857, he married Eliza Withan, who was born Dec. 27, 1838, at Winthrop, Maine, and spent some years of her girlhood in Lowell, Mass., but at sixteen came to Windsor where she resided until her marriage. ller father Daniel Witham, died during her childhood, and her mother, whose maiden name was Lydia Gould, afterward married Wareham Griswold and settled in Windsor, where she died some years ago. Our subject is the eldest of four children, the others being Anna, who died in childhood ; Flora, now Mrs. Frank Pomeroy, of Hayden Station, and Robert, a druggist of Hartford, who resides in Windsor.

Our subject's education was begun in the dis- trict school of his native town, but when he was twelve years old his parents removed to Bloomfield, where he attended the academy for a time. He remained at home until his marriage, and for eight years was in partnership with his father, his profits being carefully saved in order to secure for himself a start in life. At twenty-five he married Miss Mary Kitchen, a resident of Bloomfield, where she was a school teacher, daughter of Jamies A. Kitchen, a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, who died a prisoner of war at Florence, being taken at the bat- tle of Andersonville : he had enlisted for three years from Hartford. Having this gained an efficient partner in his enterprises. Mr. Barnes' swings en- abled him to rent the old "Colton farm" at Ware- house Point, where he resided two years, and then took a position as foreman for J. 11. Simonds, an cy- tensive farmer and tobacco grower, with whom he spent two years. In the spring of 1891 he rented the "Willian Pierson farm" in Windsor, where he lias since resided, and as he has leased other lands in the locality he now has under his control over

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250 acres. He makes a specialty of tobacco grow- ing, but is also extensively interested in dairying, his herd of from forty to fifty cows being one of the largest in the town. The product of his dairy is largely disposed of at wholesale, but for some time he has conducted a retail route at Windsor, his customers being among the best people in the village. In 1897 he purchased the "L. Ellsworth farm" at Hayden Station, which is operated by his father. During the past year he has purchased the property known as the Tudor farm, where he and his wife first went to keeping house, It goes without say- ing that he is a busy man, one secret of his success being the close attention given to every detail of his business. Although he is a regular voter and a stanch believer in the principles of the Republican party, his time is too much occupied to permit him to assume any official duties. Four attractive daugh- ters brighten his home. Flora, Anna, Eva and Olive Witham, and the family is prominent in social life and in the work of the Methodist Church, Mr. Barnes and his wife both being active members. During his residence at Warehouse Point he held the office of trustee in the church there.

CHARLES RILEY WATKINS, an old-time resident and highly-respected farmer and mechanic of Bloomfield, was born in Berkshire county, Mass., August 22, 1822, and is a son of Lawson and Agnes (Hoskins) Watkins. Lawson and Agnes Watkins passed all their lives in Berkshire county, Mass., but their four children came to Connecticut and located in Hartford county, viz .: Horace, now deceased ; Charles R., our subject; William R., of Hartford city, and Emma, now deceased.

Charles R. Watkins passed his school days in Hinsdale, Mass., and his early manhood in his fa- ther's sawmill. He then passed a year at West- field, Hampden Co., Mass., and in 1844 came to Bloomfield, Conn. Here for twenty years he worked in T. L. Humphrey's sash and blind factory, also worked as a carpenter and joiner, and in more re- cent years has been engaged in farming with un- varying success.

Mr. Watkins was united in marriage, May 2, 1849, with Miss Cordelia Humphrey, who was born April 28, 1827, a daughter of Lyman and Hannah (Francis) Humphrey, and to this union came three children who grew to maturity: Charles Henry, who was born Dec. 24, 1857, married Mary E. Miller, Dec. 4, 1889, and died April 1, 1893, the fa- ther of one child, Charles E., born March 19, 1890. The second child born to Charles R. and Cordelia Watkins was named Emma J., who was born May 23, 1860, and died Dec. 18, 1888. The third child, Burton L., was born April 4, 1866, and married, May 1, 1889, Miss Alice G. Elmer, who was born Feb. 1, 1869, and became the mother of three chil- dren, Leroy Burton, born Oct. 4, 1892; Harold Julius, June 12, 1894, and Raymond H., Feb. 14, 1898. Burton L. Watkins is the present clerk and

treasurer of the school district of Bloomfield, and fills the position most satisfactorily.

Charles R. Watkins has for many years been a member of the Congregational Church, and has fully lived up to its teachings. He has served as collector and as a member of the school commmitee of Bloomfield, and has won for himself the general esteem of the community in which he has passed so many years of his useful life.

HENRY BELDEN WRIGHT, a prominent representative of the agricultural interests of Weth- ersfield, was born in that town March 13, 1829, and belongs to one of its old and most highly-respected families. His grandfather, Elizur Wright. a son of Nathaniel Wright, spent his entire life in Wethers- field, where he owned and operated a farm. He married Ruth Curtis, and to them were born seven children: Joseph; Mary, wife of William Winship; Chauncey, deceased; Elizur; Ruth and Rhoda, twins, the former of whom married Henry Welles, the latter Thomas Griswold; and William. The parents died at the old homestead on Jordan Lane, and their remains were interred in the Wethersfield cemetery.

Joseph Wright, father of our subject, passed his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, and throughout life remained on the old homestead, en- gaged in farming, giving his attention principally to general agriculture. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was stationed at New London, Conn., under Capt. Strickland. Politically he was first a Whig and later a Republican. In early life he mar- ried Miss Nancy Wheeler, of Hartford, by whom he had three children: Joseph, who died at the age of forty years; Nancy, widow of George W. Skin- ner, of Hartford; and Mary. For his second wife he married Mabel Dickinson, widow of Henry Bel- den, of Rocky Hill, and daughter of Ozias and Mary Dickinson, the former a soldier of the Revolution- ary war. The only child of this union was our sub- ject, Henry Belden. By her former marriage Mrs. Wright had three children : Otis, who died in New Haven (he married May Butler) ; Daniel, who mar- ried Adaline Smith; and Henrietta, deceased. The mother, who was a good Christian woman, died on the home farm Sept. 12, 1869, and was buried in Cedar Hill cemetery. In 1871 the father had a paralytic stroke which left him speechless, and he was tenderly cared for by our subject and wife until his death, April 6, 1874. He was laid to rest in Cedar Hill cemetery. Both parents were members of the Congregational Church.

Reared upon the home farm Henry B. Wright is indebted to the district schools and the Wethers- field Academy for his educational privileges. At an early age he commenced to aid in the labors of the farm, and throughout his active business life has devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. He carries on operations in a systematic and me- thodical manner, and in his undertakings has been

Henry R. Wright

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

eminently successful. He has made many improve- ments upon the farm, and in connection with gen- eral farming is engaged in dairying and stock- raising. The place, now comprising some fifty acres, though formerly much greater in extent, has been in his family since 1732. In 1862, at Athol, Worcester Co., Mass., Mr. Wright was united in marriage with Miss Adaline Gray, a native of that place, and a daughter of Alexander and Elvira (Bancroft) Gray. Prior to her marriage she suc- cessfully engaged in teaching. The Republican party finds in Mr. Wright a stanch supporter of ics principles, and in 1879 he was elected on that ticket to represent Wethersfield in the State Legislaure. Being a strong supporter of education, he has served acceptably on the school committee. His public and private duties have always been discharged in a most commendable manner, and he is justly ranked among the valued and useful citizens of his com- munity. Mr. Wright is a liberal supporter of the Congregational Church, of which his wife is a member.

FRANKLIN JUDE BROCKETT is one of the most prominent and successful agriculturists of the town of Suffield. One of his leading characteris- tics in business affairs is his fine sense of order and complete system, and the habit of giving careful at- tention to details, without which success in any un- dertaking is never an assured fact.

Mr. Brockett was born in Russell, Hamden Co., Mass., April 21, 1827, and belongs to a family of Scottish origin, which was founded in New England at an early day in its history. His grandfather, John Brockett, was a native of North Haven, Conn., where he was reared. He served six years in the Revolutionary war, enlisting in the early part of the struggle for nine months under Gen. Hopkins, and serving the term on a privateer, which during that time captured seven British vessels out of a fleet of nine, bringing them all into Boston harbor. He was at Saratoga when Burgoyne was captured. He drew a pension until his death, in 1845, at the age of eighty-six. In 1793 he settled in the woods at Blandford, Hampden Co., Mass., and there spent the remainder of his life engaged in farming. On his arrival there he cut down a large hemlock tree, and on the stump built a large oven of clay and mortar, which the family used to bake in for a num- ber of years. Mr. Brockett was one of the well- known and prominent citizens of his community, was a Whig in politics and a consistent member of the Congregational Church. He was three times mar- ried, and by the first wife had two children : Francis and Silas. By the second there were seven : Ithia, Ely, Lydia, Lucy, John, Eunice and Benajah. All are now deceased.

John Brockett, our subject's father, was born in Blandford, Mass., where in early life he engaged in farming and also learned the shoemaker's trade. When a young man he removed to Russell, same

county, and there followed his trade during the winter months, while throughout the summer season he engaged in agricultural pursuits, in this way be- coming quite well-to-do. He made farming his principal occupation, and during his last years fol- lowed it in Westfield, his whole life being passed in Hampden county. He died in 1849, at the age of fifty-three years, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Maria Smith, died in 1847, at the age of forty-nine. They attended the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and he was identified with the Whig party. They were married in North Haven, Conn., where she was born, a daughter of Jude Smith, and three children blessed their union: Benajah, who died in Suffield; Julia, wife of Lyman Smith, of Northampton, Mass. ; and Franklin J., our subject.

Franklin J. Brockett is almost wholly self-edu- cated, though to a limited extent he attended the district schools of Russell and Blandford, Mass., during the winter months, while during the summer he assisted in the operation of the home farm. He lost his parents soon after attaining his majority, and he then took charge of the farm of 100 acres at Westfield, Mass., on which he made extensive im- provements, and which he continued to carry on until 1867. In that year his buildings, valued at $5,000, were destroyed by fire, and he carried only $700 insurance. After this misfortune he sold his land and came to Suffield, Conn., where he purchased fifty-five acres, known as the Joseph Fuller farm. This he has also greatly improved by the erection of a fine residence, a good barn, and tobacco sheds, valued at over ten thousand dollars. He is quite extensively engaged in the raising of tobacco, and is also interested in the dairy business, keeping on hand fifteen cows. He formerly bought and packed tobacco, and in most of his undertakings he lias met with well-deserved success.

At Blandford, Mass., in 1851, Mr. Brockett wedded Miss Maria Eliza Gibbs, a native of that place, and to them have been born two children : (1) John F. was educated in the public schools of Westfield, Mass., and the Connecticut Literary In- stitute, at Suffield, Conn., and is now engaged in farming in Suffield town. lle married Genevia Hewes, a daughter of Nathaniel Hewes, of Suffield, and they have four children : Daisy Isabella, Nellie Maria, Franklin N. and Frederick J. (2) David Lester also attended the public schools and the Connecticut Literary Institute, and later graduated at the Eastman Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and the Hartford Business College. He married Mary Russell, by whom he has one daughter, Mabel Eliza, and they reside with his parents.

Mr. Brockett is a stanch Republican, but has never been prevailed upon to accept official honors. He is a stockholder in the Electric Light and Water Works at Suffield, also the Suffield Creamery, and is a member of Suffield Grange, No. 27. He has been ably assisted in life by the advice and counsel of his estimable wife, who is an earnest member of

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the Congregational Church, and has proved to him a true helpmeet. In his religious views he is rather liberal, but he has led an upright, honorable life, which is exemplary in many respects. He is strictly temperate, having never but once drunk a drop of liquor across a bar, and he has the esteem of his friends and the confidence of his business associates.

Capt. Lester Gibbs, father of Mrs. Brockett, was born in Blandford, Mass., and was a son of Samuel Gibbs, who was of English descent, and an old settler of Hampden county, Mass. The Captain was edu- cated in the district schools of the county, and be- came quite a prominent citizen of Blandford, where he successfully engaged in farming and stock deal- ing. He dealt quite extensively in horses and cat- tle, and for many years practiced veterinary surgery. He was an influential member of the Democratic party in his community, as an advocate of Jefferson- ian principles, held many township and county offi- ces, and also represented his district in the Massa- chusetts State Legislature. He was captain of a company in the State militia. In religious matters he was quite liberal. He wedded Miss Mary Boise, a daughter of David Boise, a prominent farmer of Blandford, and to them were born the following children : Julia B. is now the widow of Edwin Thompson, and a resident of Brooklyn, N. Y .; Jarvis W. died in 1894; Samuel C. died in Iowa in 1894; David B. is deceased ; Isabella is a resident of Russell, Mass .; Maria Eliza is the wife of our sub- ject ; Russell died young; Edward and Edson were twins, the former of whom died in 1895, and the lat- ter is now living in Westfield, Mass. The father of these children passed away in 1853, and the mother, who was a faithful member of the Congre- gational Church, died in 1866, the remains of both being interred in Blandford.

WILLIAM FREDERICK FLETCHER, a prominent farmer of Enfield, was born in Holden, Worcester Co., Mass., Aug. 6, 1837, a son of Will- iam and Hannah R. (Howe) Fletcher, both natives of Worcester county, Massachusetts.

Nahor and Chloe (Taft) Fletcher, grandparents of our subject, were also natives of that county. Nahor was a son of Asa, who was a son of Abra- ham, son of Hezekiah, son of Francis, son of Robert Fletcher, who came from England, and settled in Concord, Mass., in 1630. The eminence of the Fletcher family in American history is shown by the single fact that from Robert Fletcher, the founder, have descended sixteen governors of States. The early home of the Fletchers in Concord was the farm on which the famous Concord grape was afterward originated. Ebenezer Taft, the maternal grandfather of our subject's father, was born in 1758, and died in 1836. He was the only child of Ebenczer and Bethiah (Fletcher) Taft, of North- bridge, Mass. Ebenezer Taft lived at Mendon, Mass., and was a soldier in the Revolution, enlisting in Rhode Island, and first serving two months in

Captain Isaac Martin's company, Col. Joseph Whit- ney's regiment ; second in Capt. Peter Penniman's company, Col. Job Cushing's regiment, same year. This was in the Northern army, operating against Burgoyne, from Aug. 17, 1777, to Nov. 29, 1777, participating in those desperate battles which re -. sulted in the surrender of the invading army in Oc- tober, 1777. In the following year, 1778, Ebe- nezer Taft served six weeks in Capt. Baker's com- pany, Col. Haws' regiment, in Rhode Island. In July, 1780, he enlisted in Capt. Benjamin Reed's company, Col. Nathan Tyler's regiment, com- manded by Lieut. John Benson, on the alarm in Rhode Island. His wife, Mary (Howard), whom he married March 19, 1779, was a daughter of Ben- jamin and Elizabeth (Thayer) Howard, the former being a descendant of Samuel Howard, who settled in Mendon, Mass., about 1680.

William Fletcher, father of William F., was born in Mendon, Mass., Feb. 17, 1810. His wife, Hannah R. Howe, whom he married Sept. 8, 1836, was a daughter of Abraham and Eunice ( Hastings) Howe, and was born in Holden, Mass., Nov. 25, 1815.

William F. Fletcher, our subject, was reared in Connecticut from the age of four years, coming to the town of Enfield in 1854. He was educated in the common schools, and at the Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, Mass. During the Civil war he en- listed, Aug. 27, 1862, in Company F, 22nd C. V. I., and participated in the siege of Suffolk. He was honorably discharged from service July 7, 1863. Mr. Fletcher was married, Dec. 7, 1865, to Augusta C., daughter of Henry and Charlotte A. (Allen) Gowdy, of Enfield, and granddaughter of Hill and Roxanna (McGregor). Hill Gowdy was a son of Samuel Gowdy, a pioneer of Enfield. On the maternal side Mrs. Fletcher is a granddaughter of Solomon Allen, of East Windsor, who married Martha Simons, of Enfield. Solomon Allen was a son of David Allen, son of Joshua, son of Samuel, son of John (who was killed at the battle of Bloody Brook, at Deerfield, Mass.), son of Samuel Allen, who settled in Windsor, Conn., in 1635.

Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher have one son, HENRY FREDERICK. Mr. Fletcher is a member of Samuel Brown Post, No. 56, G. A. R., of Thompsonville. In politics he is a Republican. For six years he held the office of deputy registrar of Enfield; was a member of the board of relief three years, and was selectman for one year.

G. W. OLIN. Among the most attractive farms in the town of Windsor, is the homestead of our subject, whose enterprise and energy have made him one of the leading growers of general produce in that locality. Being advantageopsly located near Windsor village, he finds a ready market for his crops, and in making the best use of the opportuni- ties afforded by the location, he has shown admir- able judgment.

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Mr. Olin comes of an excellent family, which has been prominent in the vicinity of Plainfield. Conn., from an early period. His grandfather, Daniel Olin, a Revolutionary soldier, owned a farm at Plainfield and followed agricultural pursuits for many years.

Hon. George W. Olin, our subject's father, was born and reared at Plainfield, and as a young man was employed by the Norwich & Worcester Rail- road Co., as their first station agent there. In those days wood was the only fuel used in the locomotives, and a large amount was kept piled up at Plainfield ready for use. Later he became a farmer, purchas- ing land near Sprague, Windham Co., Conn., and then at Franklin Hill, Conn., but finally he located at Dudley, Mass., where he also bought a homestead. Being ever a friend of education, he removed to Dudley because he wished his children, who were all possessed of more than ordinary ability, to have the benefit of the schools there. Wherever he re- sided he took a prominent part in local affairs, serv- ing on school committees in several places, and he was elected to the Legislature on the Democratic ticket. While he was of powerful build and seemed robust, he did not attain advanced age, as he died in his sixty-fifth year from cancer of the stomach. He left a comfortable competence, gained solely through his own efforts seconded by the econ- omy and good management of his estimable wife (now deceased), whose maiden name was Zippiette Green. She was a native of Longtown, Conn., and her father, William Green, was a well-known ag- riculturist there. George W. and Zippiette Olin had nine children: Daniel, who settled in the "Far West;" Jane, who married William Adams, of El- lington, Conn .; Elizabeth, wife of Dwight Bush- nell, of Windsor; G. W., our subject; Julia, Mrs. Jno. E. Higginbotham, of Windsor, who was a suc- cessful teacher before her marriage; Susan, wife of H. E. Phelps, of Windsor; Charles, a stationer and paper dealer of Willimantic, Conn .; Ernest, who was last heard from at Memphis, Tenn. ; and Hattie, Mrs. Edwin Bowise, of Pueblo, Colo., who taught school for a time with marked success.

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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 87

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