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 94

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 94

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hard work and economical habits, he managed to save some money, and in 1888 purchased what was known as the Wallace Kendall farm, of one hundred acres, upon which he has made many substantial improvements. He has also added a tract of sixty- five acres to the place. He is interested in stock raising and dairying, having a fine herd of cows upon his place, and is a stockholder in and agent for the Granby Creamery. He is a practical farm- er, enterprising and progressive, and as a citizen lends his support to every measure which he be- lieves calculated to benefit the town or people.

On Dec. 24, 1878, in Granby, Mr. Newton was united in marriage with Miss Addie C. Ruic, a native of Granby, and a daughter of John W. and Melissa L. (King) Ruic. Three children have been born of this union: George W., born Nov. 21, 1879, was educated in the district schools and a business college of Hartford, and is now at home ; Charles F., born June 20, 1883. is still in school ; and Dwight J., born Jan. 7, 1895, is at home. Mrs. Newton is a lady of culture and refinement, is a genial companion, and takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to her husband's success and happiness.

Mr. Newton takes an active and prominent part in public affairs, and it has ever been his aim to conduct the business of town and county on the same economical basis that he carries on his own affairs, having always at heart the public good. In 1889 he was elected second selectman, was re- elected in 1894, and in 1895 was elected first select- man of Granby for a term of three years. The duties of the office he discharged in a most credit- able and acceptable manner, and by his prudence and business-like tact during those three years man- aged to place to the credit of the town over seven hundred dollars. In the fall of 1898 he was elected, on the Republican ticket, to the State Legislature, and is now most ably representing the town of Granby in that body. Honorable and upright in all the relations of life, he has won the respect and high regard of all who know him, and is quite popular in business, social and political circles. So- cially he is a member of St. Mark's Lodge, No. 91, F. & A. M., of Granby, and he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. As a business man he has met with well deserved success.

CLINTON HORATIO NELSON, one of the best-known and most highly-respected farmers and tobacco raisers of West Suffield, was born in that place July 17, 1835, and is of remote English de- scent, the Nelson family being one of the oldest in Connecticut.

Oliver Nelson, grandfather of Clinton H., was a native of Suffield, was the owner of large landed estates in West Suffield, and was there extensively engaged in stock raising and general farming. He passed all his life on his farm, and died at the com-

paratively early age of forty-five years, a member of the Congregational Church, and in politics a Whig. He had married Mary King, also a member of one of the old families of Suffield, and. to this marriage were born five children: Theodosia died at the age of seventeen ; Mary Ann, born March 29, 1801, was married to Harmon Wheeler, and died Jan. 5, 1895; Oliver M., born Dec. 1, 1805, is now living in Broad Brook, Conn .; Horatio King, born Oct. 8, 1808, was the father of our subject; and Albert J., born Dec. 9, 1810, died Jan. 28, 1888. All are now deceased with the exception of Oliver M., who has attained the age of ninety-four years. The ven- erated mother of this family died on the homestead nearly a century ago, a consistent member of the Congregational Church, her remains being interred in the West Suffield cemetery.

Hon. Horatio King Nelson, father of Clinton H. Nelson, received a somewhat limited educa- tion in the public schools, but eventually became a well-read man through self-application to study. He was but thirteen years of age when he was deprived by death of his father, and for three years thereafter he worked on a farm for Mr. Luther Loomis, in Suffield. At the age of sixteen he started out on the road as a peddler of Yankee no- tions throughout the States of Connecticut and New York, but later devoted himself almost exclusively to the sale of cigars. He thus passed the better part of his life as a traveling salesman, his stretch of territory eventually reaching to Maine. He was suc- cessful in his line, and allowed his farm, on which our subject now lives, to be mainly conducted by him. He was a temperate man in all respects, was strong and healthy, and in forty-five years was sick two days only. He was highly esteemed in his neighborhood, and although he never sought office he was twice nominated, by the Republican party, without his knowledge, as candidate for the State Legislature, and was each time elected, and in a strongly Democratic district. But his constituents, of whatever party, never had cause to regret their action in elevating him to this important and re- sponsible office. He was originally an Old-line Whig, but with the mutations in politics became a member of the Republican party at its incipiency.

Horatio K. Nelson first married. in Suffield, Nov. 13, 1834, Mary, the daughter of Joab Owen. Miss Owen was born in Suffield, in 1813. To this marriage were born three children, of whom (I) Clinton H., our subject, was the eldest. (2) The next in order of birth was Helen M., who was mar- ried to Charles C. Shelden, of West Suffield ; to this marriage were born three children-Emma H., born Dec. 30, 1859 ; George A., born March 9, 1862; and Clara M., born Aug. 8, 1864. (3) Mary L. was first married to George L. Pomeroy, and bore him two children-Nelson A., who was born Aug. 22, 1868, was educated at the Connecticut Literary Institute, of Suffield, Conn., and the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, and is now

Martha & Nelson

Horatio 15 Nelson

Clinton A Nelow

Mary

I Alson

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a physician, practicing in Waterbury, Conn .; the younger, Herbert, who was born Aug. 12, 1874, died Feb. 12. 1876. George L. Pomeroy died Jan. 5, 1875, and his widow married Arthur L. Pom- eroy, to which union came one child. Anna Louise, born May 28, 1880. The mother died Jan. 3, 1885.

Mrs. Mary (Owen) Nelson died March 22, 1847, a devout member of the Congregational Church, and her remains were interred in the cen- etery of West Suffield. On Dec. 5, 1850, Hon. Horatio K. Nelson married Miss Martha J. Stevens, a native of East Granby, Hartford Co., Conn., a daughter of Justus R. and Martha (Fuller) Stevens, and a granddaughter of Phineas Stevens. To this union were born two children, Charles J., who died at the age of four years ; and Arabella M., who died when about eighteen months old. Hora- tio King Nelson passed away Jan. 19, 1803, on his farm in West Suffield, and his remains were in- terred in the West Suffield cemetery, where his grave, like his memory, is ever kept green. His widow, a kind and intellectual lady, still resides on the old homestead, a member of the Congrega- tional Church, and respected by all who know her.

Clinton H. Nelson was educated in the public schools of West Suffield, at the Connecticut Literary Institute of Suffield, and at Williston Seminary, East Hampton, Mass., but, exclusive of his school davs, has passed all his life on the homestead, en- gaged in agriculture. At present he operates a tract of one hundred acres in West Suffield, where he is engaged in tobacco growing, stock raising, general farming and dairying, and, being thorough- ly practical, meets with unvarying success. His farm buildings are first-class in every particular, he has remodeled the family dwelling, and all of his surroundings indicate thrift and intelligent manage- ment.

Mr. Nelson first married, at West Suffield, Miss Cornelia E. Sheldon, a daughter of Francis Shel- don, and Francis, the only child born to this union, died in infancy. Mrs. Cornelia E. Nelson died on the home farm not long afterward, and in 1873, at Granby, Mr. Nelson married Miss Mary H. Dewey, a native of Granby, and a daughter of William Dewey. To this marriage have been born four children : Howard Dewey, born April 23, 1875, died Jan. 26. 1885 ; William Horatio, born Sept. 12, 1879. attended the public schools of West Suffield, and later entered the high school at Bristol, Conn , graduating in 1896, after which he entered Yale College, from which he was graduated in June, 1900 ; Harold Clinton, born Feb. 19, 1883. is a mem- ber of the class of 1901 at the Connecticut Literary Institute, Suffield; and Christine Louise, born March 11, 1885, is in the class of 1902, of the same institution.

Aaron Dewey, grandfather of Mrs. Mary H. Nelson, was born in Granby, Conn., in 1781. He married Lovisa Gillett, daughter of Deacon Sam- uel Gillett, and to this marriage were born eight

children : William, Oct. 8, 1809; Mary. April 29, 1811 ; Watson, Oct. 8, 1813; Wilson, July 1. 1815; Willis, July 1, 1817; Susan, Jan. 22, 1819: Laura S., Aug. 9, 1821 ; and Wayne, March 7, 1823.

Hon. William Dewey, the eldest of the above- named children, was educated in the common schools of Granby, in which town he passed the greater part of his life engaged in agriculture and stock raising. In politics he was first a Whig. later a Republican, and in 1867 represented his district in the State Legislature. On Nov. 30, 1837, he married Eunice, daughter of Philetus Cooley, in Granby, and to this union were born six children : Mary H., wife of Clinton H. Nelson; L. Belle, who was a teacher in the public schools, and is now the wife of Thomas H. Patterson, of Bristol, Conn. ; Ann Gertrude, Jane Isabella and William Jefferson, all of whom died young; and one that died in in- fancy. Mrs. Eunice Dewey died Jan. 7, 1890, and her husband passed the remaining years of his life with his daughter, Mrs. Nelson, at whose home he died Nov. 1, 1898, in the faith of the Congre- gational Church ; the remains of both were interred in the Granby street cemetery.

Mrs. Mary H. Nelson is a lady of refinement, having been educated primarily, in the public schools of Granby, and later at the Normal school at New Britain, and Wilbraham Academy. For eight years prior to marriage she taught most successfully in the public schools of Granby, Conn., in Southwick, Mass., and Suffield. Mr. Nelson has been a lifelong Republican, but would never accept public office. He is genial, yet quiet and unassuming in his deport- ment ; is honest to the core, and no family in the town of Suffield is held in higher esteem.

JOHN WESLEY RUIC, a prosperous and hon- ored citizen of the town of Granby, whose time and attention have been given to agricultural pursuits, is a native of the town, born Feb. 2, 1833. and is of Scotch-Irish descent.

Mr. Ruic's paternal grandfather, Owen Ruic, was born in Ireland, where he learned the tailor's trade, and when a young man he crossed the .\t- lantic and took up his residence in Hartford county, Conn. The American Revolution being then in progress, he was soon afterward arrested as a British spy, and confined in Newgate prison. Prov- ing his innocence, he was released, and later joined the Colonial forces. Ile remained in the service until hostilities ceased, and his discharge papers, signed by Gen. Washington, are now in the possession of William C. Case, a lawyer of Granby. When in- dependence was secured he located in Granby, where he spent the remainder of his life, working at his trade and also at farming, and he was mm- bered among the highly-respected citizens of the community. He died in Granby May 13. 1820, aged seventy-eight years, his wife, Elizabeth, pass- ing away on Feb. 12, 1811, aged fifty-five years. In their family were three children: Owen, a car-

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penter, who died in Granby, and was buried in West Granby cemetery; Henry, who died when a young man ; and William, the father of our subject.

William Ruic was born in Granby Dec. 19, 1787, and received a common-school education. During his younger years he worked as a laborer among the farmers of Granby, and in this way earned the money with which to purchase 180 acres of land in that town, upon which farm he made his home until called from this life. At the early age of twelve years he began life for himself, and was able to provide a good home for his parents during their declining years. Upright and honorable in all things, he commanded the respect and confidence of all who knew him, and was well posted on the leading events of the day, and very progressive in his ideas. In Granby he was married, Oct. 18, 18II, to Miss Sarah Rice, who was born April 26, 1791, a daughter of Jesse and Frances (Rathburn) Rice, natives of Hartford county, and granddaugh- ter of Capt. John and Deziah Rice, the former of whom died Jan. 19, 1802, aged sixty-seven years, the latter Feb. 24, 1821, at the age of eighty-two. Jesse Rice passed away April 21, 1826, in his six- tieth year, his wife, Frances, on May 21, 1849, in her eighty-first year. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ruic: Elizabeth, born July 19, 1812, was married Sept. 12, 1830, to Willis Phelps, and died Aug. 15, 1865; Eber, born Jan. 31, 1814, was married, May 3, 1842, to Jane Pratt, and died Dec. 31, 1885; Rhoda, born Sept. 10, 1815, was married, April 29, 1838, to Chester Case, of Can- ton, Conn., and died Feb. 12, 1889; William Orson, born July 10, 1820, was married, July 25, 1847, to Temperance Hutchinson, and died Dec. 28, 1891 ; Jesse Wilson, born Feb. 22, 1824, was married, April 13, 1853, to Marietta Beach, and died Jan. 14, 1856, in Iowa; Henry C., born April 5, 1828, was married, Jan. 12, 1848, to Mary King, of West Suffield, now deceased, but he is still living in Bristol, Conn .; and John Wesley, our subject, the youngest of the family. The father died May 21, 1864, the mother on June 6, 1870, and both were laid to rest in Granby cemetery. They were earnest and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he served as steward. Politically he was first a Whig, later a Republican, and most faithfully and acceptably represented Granby town in the State Legislature.

John W. Ruic received a good practical educa- tion in the public schools of Granby and the acad- emies of Granby and Wilbraham, Mass. He early acquired an excellent knowledge of the farm work, and on leaving home, at the age of seventeen, he worked as a farm hand for six years, receiving about $125 a year for his services. For several years he was thus employed, and at the age of twenty-four he was the proud possessor of one thousand dollars, which he had saved from his earnings. He then returned to his home farm to take care of his parents in their old age, and after

the mother's death continued to carry on the place for a time, but finally sold it and removed to Bushy Hill, where he purchased the Dewey farm of ninety- six acres, owned at that time by a Mr. Miller. He successfully engaged in its operation, in connec- tion with general farming engaging in dairying and tobacco culture until the spring of 1899, when he sold his farm, and now lives retired in Granby.

On Nov. 26, 1857, in West Suffield, Mr. Ruic was united in marriage with Miss Melissa L. King, who was born there Oct. 7, 1838, a daughter of Artemus and Sophia (Granger) King. Three chil- dren were born of this union: (1) Adelaide C., born Aug. 10, 1858, is now the wife of Dwight F Newton, of Granby. (2) Edward W., born Dec. 7, 1861, died Oct. 2, 1862. (3) Charles W., born Dec. 19, 1864, attended the public schools, the Suffield Literary Institute, and William College, Williamstown, Mass., and after graduating from the last named engaged in teaching school for sev- eral years. He then studied law with George Taft, and was admitted to the Bar in 1894. He was married, Dec. 20, 1890, to Miss Sarah Lasher, and they have one child, Kenneth Irvin, born Oct. II, 1895. Our subject's first wife died May 5, 1877, and was buried in Granby cemetery. He was again married, July 2, 1881, his second union being with Miss Susan E. Shepard, who was born Dec. 29, 1838, at Bark Hamsted, Conn., a daughter of Joseph and Deidamia (Wilder) Shepard, the former now deceased, the latter still a resident of Bark Ham- sted.

The Republican party has always found in Mr. Ruic a stanch supporter of its principles, and in 1884 he was chosen by the people to represent the town of Granby in the State Legislature, which he did in a most creditable manner. He has also served as selectman for four consecutive terms, has been assessor of the town, member of the board of relief, and also a member of the school board, and his public duties have always been most faithfully and conscientiously discharged. He is one of the oldest and most honored members of St. Mark's Lodge, No. 91, F. & A. M., and attends the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He can look back with pride over a well-spent life, in which he has gained for himself a comfortable competence, and won the esteem of his fellow citizens by his straightforward course and honorable dealings.

MARCUS EUGENE JACOBS has long been conspicuously and successfully identified with brick manufacturing at Berlin and other points, and is one of the respected, solid and influential citizens of the town. In his veins flows an admixture of the "blue blood" of England and that of the North American aborigines, who, as has been sententiously and truth- fully said, are the "only real aristocrats of the west- ern hemisphere."

The first English progenitors of this family to emigrate from the Old World to the New were

Mp. E. Jacobs

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three brothers, who settled on Long Island, from one of whom Mir. Jacobs traces his lineage. His great-great-great-grandfather, whose baptismal name was Bartholomew. married Mercy Barnes, Dec. 20, 1666. Forty-one years later, in April, 1707, Bartholomew's son, Thomas, was united to Jemima Tuttle. From their union was born Stephen Jacobs, the great-grandfather of Marcus E. He married Hannah Dayton Jan. II, 1738, and was the father of a son christened Thomas. He, in turn, married Mary ( familiarly known as Polly ) Cooper .. They were the parents of Washington Jacobs (and the name of their son attests their loyalty to the cause of the Colonists during the struggle of the Revolution), the father of the gentleman who is the subject of this brief sketch. Washington Jacobs was born in North Haven, and was a farmer and extensive land owner. On Dec. 24, 1800, he married Mary, a daughter of Lemuel and Mary (Cooper) Mansfield, and he died when his son, Marcus Eugene, had reached the age of six months.

Marcus E. Jacobs was one of a family of five children. His father's farm of one hundred acres was sold when he was about three years old, and his boyhood was passed at the residence of his grandparents in North Haven, much after the man- ner of most Yankee boys who have left their im- press on the business and political world. In winter he attended school at North Haven, and in summer worked upon a farm. He realized, however, carly in life, that his future must depend chiefly upon his own effort and industry. His natural inclination was for brickmaking, perhaps because even at that early age the symmetrical lines and rectangular cor- ners appealed to some latent instinct which was destined to be more fully developed in later life. By the time he was sixteen years old he had attained such proficiency in his chosen pursuit that Mans- field, Warren & Stiles gave him the superintendency of their two yards. From that time forward he has never severed his connection with this great indus- try, so indissolubly connected with the foundation and prosperity of the building trades. He remained in the employ of the firm named for ten years, fill- ing the position of manager during the last two or three years of such employment. At the end of this period, in connection with Frederick Bishop, he purchased the yards of Loyal lves. AAt the end of three years Mr. Jacobs sold his interest in the business to Mr. Bishop, and formed a partnership with George. Ives, at Hamden. This partnership also lasted for three years, when Mr. Jacobs again disposed of his interest to his partner. The next year he spent as superintendent and manager of the Moulthrop yards, in New Britain, and during the two following years he filled a similar post in the manufactory of Caleb Johnson, at New Field. From that point he removed to Berlin, where he entered into a contract with Frederick Stiles to manufacture brick by the thousand. Mr. Stiles sold a half-in- terest in the works to C. P. Merwin, and Mr. Jacobs

was placed in charge. After a year thus passed he went to North Haven, where he manufactured brick at an agreed price per thousand for Frank Stiles, for twelve months, when he and Mr. Stiles formed a co-partnership. Their business connec- tion lasted for two years, when Mr. Jacobs once more sold his interest to his partner, and the firm was dissolved. Returning to Berlin, he formed a partnership with George R. Pierpont, under the style of the Berlin Brick Co., and after two years bought out Mr. Pierpont, for the last decade con- ducting the business alone. The capacity of his works is from seven million to eight million brick per annum, and he employs from forty to sixty men. In addition to attending to this extensive business Mr. Jacobs is first vice-president and treasurer of the Berlin Wheel Co., which employs from forty to sixty men, and in which he is the heaviest stock- holder. It was through his efforts that the plant was established at Berlin, in May, 1899.

In 1891 Mr. Jacobs purchased property on Worthington avenue, in Berlin, on which he has built a handsome home. He has been twice mar- ried. His first wife, to whom he was united in 1861, was Miss Sarah Riggs, by whom he had one (laughter, Mary Delphine, born Sept. 16, 1869. On her twenty-first birthday she became the wife of Clinton Woods, who was born March 16, 1866, and is connected with the Berlin Brick Co. Mr. and Mrs. Woods have five children, Harold Eugene, born Oct. 6, 1891: Earl Jacobs, March 17, 1893; Marcus and Merton (twins), Jan. 8, 1896; and Pearl Adeline, May 12, 1898. After the death of his first wife Mr. Jacobs, on June 29, 1877, mar- ried Miss Mary Maria Palmer, who was born at North Haven June 3. 1852, a daughter of Jasper E. and Delia Ann (Riggs) Palmer, her father be- ing a farmer. To this second marriage has also come one daughter, Vivian Irene, born Jan. 28, 1886, at North Haven. She is a pupil at the Worth- ington private school.

Mr. Jacobs is a Republican in politics, and earnest in his convictions, nor does this seem strange when it is added that his father was a Whig. Ilis inclination is averse to holding office, yet he has been repeatedly urged to become a candidate for various positions of public trust and responsibility, and in 1896 was nominated for the Legislature in the most largely attended Republican caucus ever held in Berlin, by a vote of two to one over his opponent, Daniel Webster. In 1900 he was elected by a large majority to represent the town of Berlin in the Gen- eral Assembly of the State, and, owing to his deep interest in and personal knowledge of the industrial interests of the State, has been made a member of the Manufacturing committee. Socially he is a member of the Grange, a Master Mason, and a member of Pequot Council, No. 24. O. U. A. M.

Mrs. Jacobs and her daughter are members of the Congregational Church, and while Mr. Jacobs himself is not affiliated with any religious body he

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is a most liberal contributor to the cause of religion and to every charitable work. His philanthropy is as broad and spontaneous as it is genuine and un- ostentatious, and in all enterprises looking to the public welfare he takes a deep interest, being always ready to contribute generously of effort, time and money.

Such a career as that of Mr. Jacobs is well worth the attentive study of every young man who hopes to attain success. While all cannot be endowed with the keen intellect, the shrewd business sense and the sound judgment which have been among his prominent characteristics from early childhood, there have been other operative causes for his achievements which may be said to be measurably within the reach of all. He has never sought to avoid work: and, while he has never courted re- sponsibilities, he has manfully faced them as they have presented themselves. While keen in his per- ceptions, and ever quick to detect dissimulation, he has been always charitable toward human imperfec- tions, and generous, even to his own hurt. It is no cause for surprise that his fellow townsmen yield him a full meed of honor and respect.

PATRICK CONNOR, one of the oldest paper workers now employed in any of the mills in the vicinity of Hartford, is a resident of Poquonock, and works at his trade in the Rainbow Paper Mill. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, March 15. 1829, a son of John and Julia ( Moran) Connor, who spent their entire lives in that country. The father was a successful contractor and became quite well- to-do. Of his nine children only two came to the United States: Patrick, the subject of this review ; and Miss Lizzie, residing in Hartford.

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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 94

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