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 92

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 92

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WILLIAM VANDEVEER GODDARD, a well-known and prominent agriculturist of West Granby, was born on the old homestead there, March 7, 1854, and is a representative of one of its old and most highly-respected families.

Byron Pitt Goddard, his grandfather, was born in Granby, Jan. 7, 1805, and received only the edu- cational advantages afforded by the district school of the town at that day, becoming a self-educated as well as self-made man, and one of Granby's repre- sentative citizens. As his father died when he was quite young, he was reared by his grandfather, Capt. Richard Case, a well-known resident of Granby. Byron P. Goddard began his business career in the Collinsville axe factory, and later went to Windsor, where he was employed as an iron worker for some time. In 1843 he turned his attention to farming, in the town of West Granby, where he purchased 135 acres of land known as the Huggins tract, and was for forty-five years engaged in farming, stock raising and dairying there. He made some extensive improvements upon the place, including the erection of a good residence and barn. He was a well-posted man on the leading events of the day, and a good conversationalist, and was noted for his upright character and honorable dealings. For over thirty years he was prominently identified with public affairs, filling a number of local offices in the town of Granby, such as selectman and deputy sheriff, and also representing the town in the State Legislature with credit to himself, and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. That he had the entire confidence of his neighbors and friends is shown by the fact that he was often called upon to settle up estates and perform similar duties. Al- though not a member of any religious denomination, he lived up to the golden rule, and was quite temper- ate in his habits. In politics he was first a Demo-

crat, later a Republican. In Granby, March 8, 1827, he married Miss Abigail Phelps Segar, who was born there May 8, 1801, a daughter of Augustus Segar, a well-known citizen of the township. Of the three children born to this union, Wharton Hora- tio, father of our subject, was the eldest; Mary Jane, born March 20, 1838, married Edward Case, of Bloomfield ; and Byron, born Feb. 7, 1844, is now deceased. The grandfather died Feb. 13, 1888, his wife Jan. 3, 1888, and both were buried in Granby. They had traveled life's journey together for nearly sixty-one years, and were not long separated by death. She was a good Christian woman, and was much respected in the community for her devotion to her husband and family.

Wharton Horatio Goddard, our subject's father, was born in Granby June 20, 1830, and attended the public schools, also the Granby Academy. Being ambitious to learn, he studied hard to obtain a good education, and often spent his evenings at the home of an old school master who assisted him in fitting himself for the teacher's profession. At the age of eighteen he taught in the Granby Academy, and later had charge of public schools in New Jersey, but on account of his health was forced to give up that noble but ill-paid profession. He then learned the trade of a carriage trimmer, in the carriage works in West Granby, and, as his health did not improve, he commenced studying medical works in. order to find out something of his own illness .. This led to a desire to enter the medical profession,. and he later became a student in a Medical College at Philadelphia, where he was graduated with honors. in 1858. He commenced practice in Northumber- land county, Penn., but soon after the breaking out- of the Civil war returned to Hartford county, open- ing an office in Tariffville. Desiring to be of some service to his country in her hour of need, Mr God- dard enlisted, in 1862, for nine months, and was appointed second assistant surgeon of the 25th Conn. V. I. With the regiment he went to Baton Rouge, where he was a surgeon in the hospital at that place, and he remained with his comand the full term for which he enlisted. While returning to New York hc was violently sick on board ship, but survived the journey, and after landing in New York City was taken to the home of Mrs. William Vandeveer, where he died three days later, Aug. 18, 1863, three days before his regiment was mustered out. The people of his State fully appreciating the sacrifice he had made for his country, had the following written : "Hartford, Conn., July 4, 1867. The State of Connecticut, desiring to recognize in a perma- nent and appropriate form the faithful and heroic service of her citizen soldiers, has, by unanimous vote of the General Assembly of 1867, directed the undersigned to present to Wharton H. Goddard. second assistant surgeon 25th Conn. V. 1., this tes- timonial of honor in grateful remembrance of the courage and patriotism by him displayed in the late war for the suppression of the Rebellion, and the

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preservation of the constitutional liberty. [Signed] James E. English, Governor of Connecticut, Eph- raim H. Hyde, Lieutenant-governor, James T. Wart, Speaker of the House." The remains of Dr. God- (iard were interred in the Granby cemetery. He was a Republican in politics, was broad-minded and liberal in his views, was a close student and ob- server, was honest in his convictions, and made a host of warm friends by his genial, pleasant manner.

In Granby, July 3, 1851, Dr. Goddard married Miss Lorinda Emma Hayes, who was born there, a daughter of Dudley and Naomi (Rose) Hayes, of Granby. To them were born four children: Will- iam V., our subject ; Isadore, who died in childhood ; George E., a resident of Baltimore, Md .; and Frank E., a resident of Hartford. For her second hus- band, Mrs. Goddard married Capt. A. C. Wood, of Brooklyn. N. Y., by whom she had three chil- dren, all now deceased, namely : Leon, Emma and Agnes. The mother died in Brooklyn Jan. 6, 1890, and was buried in Granby cemetery. She was an earnest Christian woman, a member of the Baptist Church.

William V. Goddard, whose name introduces this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Granby up to the age of thirteen, and attended the public schools in New York City two years. At the age of fifteen he commenced life for himself as a cashier, and later became bookkeeper in a grocery store in New York City, where he was employed for two years. He was then employed by the New York & Harlem Transportation Co., and was con- nected with the passenger boats running from New York to Harlem, being thus employed for ten years, most of the time as purser, having gradually worked his way upward to that responsible position. The introduction of elevated railroads in the city having destroyed the business for the steamboat company, the latter were compelled to sell their boats, and the last boat was disposed of to the Atlantic Steamboat Co., with which Mr. Goddard accepted a position as captain of the passenger boat running between New York City and Coney Island. He was thus employed until 1882, in which year, at the request of his paternal grandfather, he returned to Granby, and cared for him during his last years, having com- plete charge of his business affairs. After the grandfather's death he purchased the farm of 130 acres, and for the past eleven years has successfully carried on operations there as a general farmer and dairyman. He keeps a herd of Jersey cows, and is meeting with well-deserved success in his under- takings.

In New York City, in 1878, Mr. Goddard was married to Miss Elmira Naylor Morgan Wright, a native of that place, and a daughter of Morrison and Abbie Naylor (Morgan) Wright, in whose family were ten children. Mrs. Goddard is a well-educated lady, is quite prominent socially, and is an entertain- ing companion. Of the two children born to our sub- iect and his wife, Lilla, an accomplished and attrac-

tive young lady, died at the age of sixteen years, and her death was a sad blow to her parents; and Wharton Morrison died at the age of nine months. Mr. Goddard is a supporter of the Republican party, has most efficiently served as a member of the school committee for a number of years, and is treasurer of the school district. Mr. Goddard is domestic in his tastes, caring nothing for political preferment. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and is a man honored, respected and esteemed wherever known, and most of all where he is best known.

GEORGE HENRY PAYNE, an energetic and enterprising citizen of the town of Enfield, where he is now successfully engaged in general farming and tobacco culture, is a native of Hartford county, born at Warehouse Point Aug. 10, 1855, and is a son of Henry Humphrey and Lucretia ( Nichols) Payne, both natives of East Windsor, the same county. The father, a pattern maker by trade, was in the employ of the Hazard Powder Co., at Hazard- ville, for twenty-four years, and died in 1896, at the age of sixty-four. He was twice married, his first wife being the mother of our subject. His second union was with Marietta Taylor, by whom he had four children: Minnie, now Mrs. Clarence Per- kins; Frederick E .; Arthur ; and Herbert.

George H. Payne, the only child born of the first marriage, was reared in Hazardville from the age of four years, and was educated in the common schools of that place. He started out in life for himself as assistant in the canister shop of John Laws & Co., with which he was connected for four years, and for the following six years was em- ployed in the saltpetre refinery of the Hazard Pow- der Co., since which time he has engaged in vari- ous enterprises, including farming, teaming and to- bacco growing.

On Nov. 1, 1883, Mr. Payne was united in marriage with Miss Rosalia Lucretia French, a daughter of William R. and Mary (Johnson) French, of the town of Enfield, and to them have been born two children: Alton George and Clar- ence Alfred. Socially, Mr. Payne affiliates with DeSoto Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Springfield, Mass., and Tomtonamo Lodge, No. 23, O. U. A. M., of Hazardville, while politically he is identified with the Republican party. He is now serving his sixth term as selectman of Enfield town, and his official as well as his private duties have always been most faithfully and conscientiously discharged.

HENRY REVILO CHAPIN, a prominent and progressive citizen of Hazardville, where he is living practically retired, has spent his entire life in En.' field town, his birth having occurred there Oct. 17, 1833. His parents, Dan T. and Mariva (Sadd) Chapin, were natives of Enfield and East Windsor, respectively.

Deacon Samuel Chapin, the progenitor of the family in America, came from England in 1642, and

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settled in Springfield, Mass., where he died in 1675. He was a prominent citizen of the town, having been appointed chief magistrate of Springfield in 1652, to succeed William Pynchon, his father-in- law. A few years ago a monument was erected in his honor in Court Square, Springfield. He married Mary, daughter of William Pynchon, and had four sons and three daughters: Japhet, born in 1642, died in 1712 ; he married Abalena Cooley, of Long- meadow, Mass., and after her death married Dor- othy Root, of Enfield, Conn. ; he was first selectman of Springfield in 1683. Henry is mentioned below. Catherine married Nathaniel Bliss in 1676, after his death married Thomas Gilbert, and after his death became the wife of Samuel Marshfield, from whom descended Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, the great and eloquent preacher. David, the next in order of birth, married Lydia Crump. Isaiah mar- ried Mary - . Sarah married Rowland Thomas. Hannah married John Hitchcock in 1667.

(II) Henry Chapin, the next in the line of descent, married Bertha Colton, of Longmeadow, Massachusetts.

(III) Ebenezer Chapin (1), son of above Henry, was born in 1675, and died in 1772. His wife, Ruth, was born in 1682, and died in 1736.

(IV) Ebenezer Chapin (2), was born in 171I, and died in 1751; Elizabeth, his wife, was born in 1712, and died in 1786.

(V) Ebenezer Chapin (3), born in 1735, died in 1822. His wife, Mehitable, was born in 1734, and died in 1811. They had two sons, Ebenezer (4) and Timothy. Ebenezer Chapin (3) was d" farmer of Enfield, and a prominent man of his time, active in church work and public affairs, and an honored and respected citizen.

(VI) Timothy Chapin, grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Enfield in 1762, and died in 1858. He was a farmer by occupation. He married, for his first wife, Lecta Barber, born in 1782, by whom he had two children: Reuben and Timothy B. She died in 1804. By his second wife, Susannah Terry, born in 1778, children were born as follows : Dan T., Henry, Gilbert, Joel and Francis. Mrs Chapin died in 1858.

Dan T. Chapin, our subject's father, spent his whole life in Enfield, and was one of the leading farmers and honored citizens of the community. Although quiet and unassuming in manner, he took an active and influential part in public affairs, serv- ing as selectman of Enfield for thirteen years, and representing the town in the State Legislature for one term. He was born March 8, 1808, and died Sept. 20, 1892. On Oct. 31, 1832. he married Mariva Sadd, daughter of William Sadd, a prom- inent agriculturist of East Windsor, Hartford coun- ty, and their children were: Henry R., Joseph T., and Diantha M. (wife of Frank W. Parsons). ( There are seven generations by lincal descent, in- cluding Ebenezer (I), buried in the Chapin lot in

the Enfield (Conn.) cemetery, the lot being a double tier one and four rods in length).

Henry R. Chapin, the only one of the family now living, was reared in Enfield town, and early acquired an excellent knowledge of every depart- ment of farm work. His education was obtained in the common schools, the Connecticut Literary Institute, Suffield, and Wilbraham Academy, and at the age of seventeen years he commenced teaching school, a profession he successfully followed for seven years. He then turned his attention to agri- cultural pursuits, in which he was likewise success- ful, becoming one of the prosperous and substan- tial farmers of Enfield. Since 1870 he has prac- tically lived retired, though he has devoted some time to the real-estate business.

On Feb. 10, 1859. Mr. Chapin was united in marriage with Miss Sarah M. Allen, a daughter of Alfred and Henrietta (Thompson) Allen, of East Windsor, and a descendant of Deacon Samuel Allen, of Braintree, County of Essex, England, who in 1632 settled in Cambridge, Mass., and was a pioneer of Windsor, Conn., where he located in 1635. Her paternal grandfather was Joshua Allen, son of Samuel, son of Joseph, son of Samuel, son of John, son of Deacon Samuel Allen, before men- tioned. Mrs. Chapin's maternal grandparents were Col. William and Tamar ( Holton ) Thompson, of East Windsor. Col. Thompson served with dis- tinction in the war of 1812, and was a prominent farmer of East Windsor. Mr. and Mrs. Chapin are the parents of four children: Henrietta M., wife of Frederick M. Davis, of Enfield; Albert II., who married Miss Emilie Dieckmann, Dec. 12. 1898, and lives in Lincoln, Neb. : Ida E., wife of George H. Ulmer, of Rockland, Maine; and Gilbert T., of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Mr. and Mrs. Chapin are faithful members of the First Congregational Church of Enfield, and they receive and merit the high regard of the entire community. In political sentiment our sub- ject is a Republican, and he has been called upon to serve as grand juror one year, member of the board of relief one year, and member of the school board of Enfield for nine years. Ilis public and private life are above reproach, for his career has ever been one characterized by the utmost fidelity to duty. Those who know him best are numbered among his warmest friends, and no citizen of En- field is more honored or highly respected.

RALPH T. IVES, one of the most progressive and enterprising young business men of Southing- ton, who is now manager and treasurer of the Southington & Plantsville Tramway Co., was born in Plantsville Nov. 22. 1870, a son of Huber S. and Lucy E. (Buell) Ives.

The father was born in Meriden, Conn., in 1845, and was a son of Othniel and Mary (Howard) Ives, the former also a native of Meriden, the latter

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of Vermont. The grandfather of our subject was a prominent farmer of Meriden, and held the office of selectman for many years. The father was reared in his native town and educated in the public school there. In early manhood he, too, followed the occupation of farming, but in 1868 removed to Plantsville, where he conducted a general store for twelve years. In 1869 he was appointed post- master of that place, and with the exception of four years, during President Cleveland's first ad- ministration, he held the office until his death, which occurred May 22, 1894. He also served as tax collector several years. During the Civil war he was a member of Company K, 8th Conn. V. I., enlisting in September, 1861, was captured by the Rebels at Kinston, N. C., and was sent to Libby prison, where he remained for three weeks. He was then paroled, rejoined his regiment, and re- mained in the service until honorably discharged, in June, 1865. He entered the service as a private, and was mustered out as second lieutenant of Com- pany E, 15th Conn. V. I. In his family. were five children, namely: Susan B., Ralph T., Harry G., Muriel M. and Lucy E.

Our subject passed his boyhood and youth in Plantsville, where he attended the public schools, but his education was completed at the Lewis high school, and in Brown high school of Newbury- port, Mass. In 1889 he began an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade with the Pratt & Whitney Co., of Hartford, serving four years, and later he worked as a journeyman for two years with the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co., of Southington. He then became connected with the Southern New England Telephone Co., as local manager at Southington, which position he still holds, and since 1897 has been treasurer and manager of the Southington & Plantsville Tramway Co. He is president and treasurer of the Wallingford Gas Light Co., and has already made for himself an enviable reputa- tion in business circles by his straightforward, hon- orable course, and his energetic and industrious habits. In politics he is a Republican, and in his social relations is a member of Friendship Lodge, No. 33, F. & A. M., of which he was master in 1899.

JOHN BRAGG, one of the substantial and pros- perous farmers of South Windsor, is a native of that town, and has been a resident within its borders through his entire life, save when fighting for his country's flag during the dark hours of the Civil war.

Mr. Bragg was born in South Windsor Nov. 7, 1843, a son of Sydney and Tirzey Bragg. He remained on the home farm until Aug. 7, 1862, when he enlisted in Company H, 16th Conn. V. I., and was mustered in at Hartford. Mr. Bragg saw active service at once, and participated in many of the most memorable and most stubbornly con- tested battles of the war. He was at Antietam,

Fredericksburg, Suffolk, Gettysburg, Windsor, N. C., and other engagements, and was honorably dis- charged July 15, 1864. Two of his brothers, Cyril and Frank Bragg, were members of the same company and regiment.

After his discharge Mr. Bragg returned to South Windsor, where he has lived ever since. In 1870 he married Miss Elizabeth Reader, who is a native of England, and in her infancy was brought to America by her parents, Henry and Mary Ann Reader. To our subject and his wife have been born nine children: Mary A., George S., Ida M., Frederick A., John S., Tirzah E., Cyril E., Bertha I. and Nelson O. Mr. Bragg is a member of the G. A. R. Post at South Windsor. In politics he is a Republican. Himself and family are members of the Baptist Church.

JACOB BANTLE. No list of the prosperous and influential citizens of Glastonbury would be complete that did not include mention of the in- dustrious and substantial citizen whose name here appears. Mr. Bantle is a native of Wittenberg, Germany, born July 25, 1830, son of Ignace and Celia Fleic Bantle, and grandson of Mathias Ban- tle, a large and successful farmer of Wittenberg. The father also was an extensive farmer of Wit- tenberg, where he died in 1853, his wife surviving him about six weeks. Their seven children were Jacob, our subject ; Anton, a farmer, now living near East Hartford: Michael, a farmer near De- troit, Mich .; John, a farmer near Detroit; Rosie, who married Philip Hiem, of New Britain, and died June 10, 1899; Mary, who lived in New York City, and died April 15, 1900; and Johanna, a resident of Switzerland.

Our subject received a good common-school ed- ucation in his native land and in his youth worked on his father's farm. He then served six years in the German army. Returning to the homestead, he worked at hard manual labor for $40 per year and board. With his savings he in 1857 purchased a passage aboard a sailing-vessel from Havre to New York, the voyage consuming forty-two days. With only a few dollars in his pocket he proceeded to Hartford, Conn., and thence to Glastonbury, where for a short time he was employed by Asa Talcott, father of L. H. L. l'alcott, of Glaston- bury. Later he worked three years in the woolen mills at South Glastonbury, then for three years in the woolen mills at Eagleville. In 1863 he paid a visit to his native land, remaining six months. Returning to America in 1864 he purchased from Lafa Moody ten acres of land, to which purchase he has since added twenty-five acres. He has erected sheds and made other notable improvements upon the place, and now has a well-tilled farm of thirty- five acres.

Mr. Bantle was married, Oct. 1. 1859, to Cath- erine Handel, who was born June 7, 1840, daugh- ter of John George Handel, and five children have

Jacob Brantle

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blessed this union : Julius J., born July 5, 1860, mar- ried Mary Braach, and has one daughter, Jennie (the mother is dead) ; Jacob W., born July 5, 1862, married Amelia Tenner, and has two children, Edith and Elsa ; Charles married Lillian Bantle, of Michi- gan ; Philip, a carpenter of Glastonbury, married Belle McCurry, and they had four children, only one, Everett, now living; Rosie is the wife of Charles Brucker, of Hartford, and has one daugh- ter, Minnie. In politics our subject is a Democrat. He has never sought office, but in 1883 he was nominated without solicitation for the State Legis- lature, was elected, and served with ability. He has also served his town as justice of the peace. Mr. Bantle is liberal in his church views, and in local affairs is one of the town's most public-spirited resi- dents. His neighbors speak of him as a "good citi- zen." He has prospered in his life vocation, and by his industry, thrift and good judgment has won an ample competence from the fertile acres which he possesses.

JOHN MASON. The English-born citizens of the United States form a valued element in our civilization, their ideals of citizenship being fully in accord with American progress. During the dark days of the Civil war many served gallantly in the Northern army, and the subject of this sketch, a highly-esteemed resident of East Windsor, was one of three brothers who thus gave proof of their love of freedom.

Mr. Mason comes of an old family of Yorkshire, England, where his parents, George and Charlotte (Rhodes) Mason, resided for some years after their marriage. In 1847 they came to America with their children, the voyage, which was made in a sailingvessel, lasting thirtyfive days. They landed at Boston, and soon afterward settled at Warehouse Point, Conn. George Mason died at the home of our subject in 1855; his wife survived until 1889. John is the eldest of four children who lived to adult age; Mary A. is the wife of B. Wilson Lord, of East Windsor ; George, a veteran of the Civil war, resides at Warehouse Point; and James, a resident of New Britain, Conn., was also in the Uuion army during the Civil war.

Our subject was born Dec. 14, 1830, in York- shire, England, was apprenticed there to the card- clothing trade, which was a branch of business not recognized in this country. After the arrival of the family at Warehouse Point he worked four and one- half years in the Sexton woolen-mills at that place, and three months in a mill at Broad Brook, and later he went to Plymouth Hollow to take a similar position. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, 22d Conn. V. I., for nine months, being mus- tered in at Hartford. During his term of service he spent some time with the forces employed in the defense of Washington, and he also took part with his regiment in the siege of Suffolk, in April, 1863. He was mustered out of the service July 7, 1863.

On his return home that year, he settled upon his present homestead, where he is successfully en- gaged in general farming, dairying and tobacco growing.

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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 92

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