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 96

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 96

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Henry C. Gussman received his early educa- tion in the public schools of New Britain under Prof. Peck. He then attended Prof. Camp's pre- paratory school, completing the three-years' course in two years, and graduating in 1879. In June of that year he passed his examination for the Scientific Department of Yale College, but remained out of school for one year. He then entered the Law Department, graduating June 28, 1882. Mr. Gussman worked his own way largely through both preparatory school and college. With his diploma gained, he entered the law office of Hon. Henry C. Robinson, of Hartford, where he remained a year. Then opening an office of his own in New Britain, he for a year combined the duties of law practice and reportorial work on the New Britain Herald; abandoning journalism, he then devoted his entire attention to the practice of law, in which he has been the architect of his own fortune, winning no business through partnership or influence, but by his own individual merit. Hé has acquired a prac- tice which is second to none in the city, and in his practice he has been universally successful.

Mr. Gussman has also been active and influential in politics as a lifelong Republican. For three years he was assistant city clerk. In 1888 he was

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appointed prosecuting agent by the county commis- sioners, holding the office four years, or until there was a political change in the commissionership. In 1891 he was appointed clerk of the city and of the police courts by the late Valentine B. Chamberlain. holding the position until the death of the latter, in 1893. For two years he was assistant city at- torney. In 1894 he was appointed, by the city council, city attorney and also prosecuting attorney of the city, a position which he held for two years at that time, and is now again filling. For four years Mr. Gussman has served as chairman of the Republican town committee, and by reason of his German influence he was largely instrumental in changing the politics of his city.

Mr. Gussman is quite active in the social and fraternal orders of New Britain. He is a prominent member of Phœnix Lodge, I. O. O. F .; a member of the Grand Lodge, and was one of its appointive officers under Grand Master Marigold, of Bridge- port; of the Daughters of Rebekah; of Comstock Encampment, and of the Uniformed Rank, Canton Foster, Patriarchs Militant; he is an active mem- ber of the K. of P., and the Knights of Khorassan ; also of Mattabessett Tribe, Independent Order of Red Men. He is a prominent member of the Gentlemen's Driving & Wheel Club. In business affiairs he is director and secretary of the New Britain Telephone Co., and of the Hartford Chem- ical Co. He has always taken a deep interest in the public affairs of the city, non-political as well as political, is an orator of reputation, incisive and convincing in his public utterances, and with a quick and mastering grasp of whatever issues come under his notice professionally or as a citizen.

Mr. Gussman was married, Sept. 25, 1884, to Miss Lizzie Baldwin Boardman, of Meriden, daugh- ter of Albert R. and Ellen ( Morgan) Boardman. To Mr. and Mrs. Gussman has been born one daugh- ter, Leah Boardman.

F. L. FORD. Sound judgment, combined with fine ability in mechanical lines, has enabled the subject of this biography, a well-known resident of Windsor, to attain a substantial success in life, and he now holds the responsible position of fore- man of the carpenter shop of Pratt & Whitney, in Hartford. He was born in Hartford March 25. 1857, a son of Levi and Nettie (Utley) Ford, the former a native of New York State, the latter of Blue Hills, Conn., and a representative of one of the old and highly-respected families of that place. The father was engaged in mercantile business for many years, but is now living retired in Green- field, Mass. Our subject is the elder of the two children of the family, the other being Alice, who died unmarried in Greenfield, Mass., May 24, 1889.

Reared in Hartford, F. L. Ford attended the Four Corners school in that city during the winter season, and through the summer months assisted his father. At the age of seventeen he commenced

learning the carpenter's trade under the direction of F. L. Burnham, and during his apprenticeship received his board and fifty dollars the first year, Sioo the second year, and $150 the third year. On at- taining his majority he was a full-fledged mechanic, but as times were hard and the best joiners re- ceived only one dollar and a half per day he con- cluded to seek other employment, and for one year held a position in a sewing-machine shop in Or- ange, Mass. From there he went to Brightwood, Mass., near Springfield, and was engaged in build- ing passenger cars for a short time, after which he returned to Hartford, and for some time worked for Mail Bros., contractors. For over ten years he has now been with Pratt & Whitney, which is in itself evidence of his mechanical skill and trust- worthiness. He was assistant foreman for some time, and was then promoted to the position of foreman, which he is now so capably and satis- factorily filling. In 1889 he built his present ex- cellent home at the corner of Bloomfield avenue and Spring street, Windsor, and he has also erected a house on Loomis avenue and another on Brown street, which he rents.

On April 30, 1889, in the Fourth Congrega- tional Church, Hartford, Mr. Ford was united in marriage with Miss Matilda Schaal, a daughter of Carl and Matilda Louisa (Doebel) Schaal. Her fa- ther came to the United States in 1869. and now lives in Portland, Conn. Mrs. Ford was born in Witten- berg, Germany, Nov. 6, 1868, and on Aug. 12, 1883, started alone for America on the steamer "Moesel," which sailed from Bremen, but was wrecked on icebergs after being out only a few days, and broke to pieces. Over 450 lives were lost, but Mrs. Ford and her traveling companion, a girl friend, were rescued, and taken back to Eng- land in a row-boat. Over two days were spent in that little craft before they were safely landed on the coast of England. They were then taken to Liverpool, and on the steamer "Hermann" pro- ceeded to Baltimore, which they reached Sept. 15. They went to New York by a special train, which was wrecked. forty-five persons being killed. This was indeed a thrilling experience for Mrs. Ford, and one which she will always remember. Until her marriage she supported herself, and she has proved an excellent wife and faithful helpmeet to our subject. They have an interesting family of three children: Alice M., Frederick L. and Ernest A. Mr. and Mrs. Ford are both earnest members of the Congregational Church, and are held in high regard by all who know them. He is a regular voter, and a supporter of the Republican party. Industrious, enterprising and energetic, his success in life is all due to his own well-directed efforts and the assistance of his wife.

ARTHUR EDWIN COLVIN, a prominent citizen of Hazardville, was born in that village Jan. 27, 1850, a son of William and Charlotte ( Rose)

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Colvin, who emigrated from Hounslow, England, to America in 1846, and settled in Hazardville, Conn., where the father was for twelve years foreman of the "black hands" department of the Hazard Powder Co. He was killed by an explosion in the mills Sept. 13, 1858. His children, eight in number, were as follows: William S., who is president of the Hazard Powder Co .; Frederick J .; Eliza J., Mrs. William Northrop; Annie M., Mrs. George Smith; Arthur E .; Adeline R., Mrs. George Lough- lin ; Emma R., Mrs. Albert Prentice ; and Henry A.

Arthur Edwin Colvin, our subject, was reared to manhood in Hazardville, where he has always since resided. He received a limited education in the common schools, for at the early age of eleven years he began his business career in the joiner shop of the Hazard Powder Co. For several years he was in the packing and canister departments, and since 1873 has held the responsible position of ship- ping clerk for the company, with the exception of two years, having been in the employ of the Powder Company since 1861.

Mr. Colvin was married on Nov. 3, 1873, to Louise J., daughter of Willis and Catherine (Rib- bles) Hare, of Hazardville, and they have four chil- dren : Clifford W., Arthur W., Edward R., and Rena M. Mr. Colvin is a leading member of the M. E. Church of Hazardville, and is one of the trus- tees of same, and is a member of the Sunday school. Politically he is a Republican.

LUCIUS SAMUEL BISHOP ranks high among the wealthiest and most honored citizens of Avon town, Hartford county, and though he has lived partially retired for the past fifteen years he still takes an active part in the business life of this section, attending personally to the management of his large interests. The Bishop family is one of the oldest in the county, and its members have always been classed among the most intelligent and re- spected citizens, taking an active and honorable part in local public affairs, and making an unblemished record as a business man of integrity and unques- tioned ability.

Our subject comes of good old Revolutionary stock, being a grandson of Thomas F. Bishop, who was a lifelong resident of Farmington, now Avon town. When but fifteen years old he entered the service of his country as a soldier in the Revolu- tion, serving for three years in that struggle, and he took part in the siege of Cornwallis at York- town. Thomas F. Bishop was a large land owner, and engaged extensively in dairy farming and stock raising, which he followed principally all his life. He was a strong Whig in political sentiment, and though he never sought or held office he wielded a marked influence for good in his neighborhood as a citizen whose opinion was highly valued. He always commanded deep respect wherever he was known, and bore a high reputation for honor and integrity in all his dealings with his fellowmen.

Mr. Bishop was married, in Avon, to Miss Lucy Foot, and they became the parents of eleven chil- dren, namely : Stella, who married Chester Wood- ford; Benjamin, who married Betsey Woodford; Delia, who became the wife of George Woodford ; Samuel, father of our subject; Jacob, who married Diana Frisby; Jeffrey; Lucy, wife of Hiram An- drews; Thomas N., who married Sally Andrews; Geder Pitt; Adeline, who married Albert Bissell; and Joseph, who married Zerviah Woodford. The parents of this family both passed away in 1851, the father at the ripe old age of eighty-eight years, and their remains rest in Cider Brook cemetery. In religious connection they were members of the Congregational Church, and they took a zealous in- terest in the advancement of the Kingdom and all religious enterprises.

Samuel Bishop was born March 20, 1797, on the old Bishop homestead, and received his ed- ucation in the district schools of Avon town. He grew to manhood on the farm of his uncle, Samuel Bishop, and after his death became the owner of the place, purchasing part of the property, where he made his home until his removal to Avon Center in 1868. He made numerous improvements on the farm after it came into his possession, and was successfully engaged in general agriculture, dairy- ing, stock raising and tobacco culture. He was prominent in the public as well as the business life of the town, held the office of selectman and various other positions of trust in the locality, and in 1836, and once afterward, represented Avon in the State Legislature, distinguishing himself in every incum- bency for trustworthiness and capacity of a high order. No citizen in this region was held in higher esteem or commanded a greater degree of respect from the community in general, and his high char- acter and consistent moral life gave him a strong influence among his townsmen, which was always ex- erted for the public good. Originally a Whig in political affiliation, he became a Republican when the party changed, and was a stanch supporter of the principles of the organization. His life was an exemplary one in every respect, and he sus- tained the reputation which has always been borne by the members of this family for good citizenship and uprightness. Mr. Bishop was married, in Avon, to Miss Minerva Woodford, who was born April 20, 1798, in that town, a daughter of Selah and Sarah (Hutchinson) Woodford, and six children were born to this union: Julia Ann, who became the wife of Charles A. Stowe, of Avon; Lucius S .; Sarah M., widow of Daniel A. Miller, living in Bristol ; Daniel Franklin, deceased; Fitch Leverett ; and Mary E., widow of George Phelps, of Avon. The father of this family passed away March 25, 1879, at Avon Center, where he always lived after his removal from the farm. The mother followed him to the grave March 23, 1884, and they sleep their last sleep in Avon cemetery. She was a good Christian woman, devoted to her home and

LuQuesS. Bistre

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family, and with her husband was active in the work of the Congregational Church, of which they were members for years. He held the office of deacon.

Lucius S. Bishop was born Oct. 22, 1822, at the old Bishop homestead in Cider Brook, and dur- ing his boyhood and youth attended the district and high schools of Avon and West Avon, enjoy- ing good educational advantages. He was reared to farming pursuits, obtaining his first knowledge of agriculture under his father's tuition, and when old enough hiring out to neighboring farmers un- til 1849, when he engaged in that calling on his own account. He acquired a part of the Joseph Bishop farm on Cider brook, and he continued to occupy that place until 1884, meanwhile enlarging operations until he found himself extensively en- gaged in tobacco raising, and dealing in dairy stock, in addition to general agricultural pursuits. During those years he was a tireless worker, and his well- directed industry, combined with habits of thrift, economy and good judgment in investing his means, brought him in time a handsome fortune. Mr. Bishop deserves to be called a self-made man, and he is a citizen of whom Avon may well be proud, for he has advanced to a high standing among her foremost business men by dint of hard work and unceasing effort, and occupies a sub- stantial position among the eminently successful men ot Hartford county.

In 1884 Mr. Bishop abandoned active work and purchased the home in Avon Center where he has ever since resided, devoting his time and attention to the management of his numerous interests. He is conservative in financial matters, and enjoys the reputation of being a business man of unquestioned ability, foresight and the highest integrity. He is genial in disposition, and temperate in his habits, in this respect resembling all the members of the Bishop family, who have always been noted for sociability and high moral worth in the county with whose interests they have so long been identi- fied. Our subject's success is indeed remarkable, for he has risen from the bottom round of the lad- der to an enviable position in business circles, and his life is an example to any who complain of lack of principal with which to commence operations, for his only capital was his knowledge of farm work and a pair of willing hands, coupled with perseverance and a determination which never yielded to misfortune. Mr. Bishop has always at- tended closely to his private affairs, and has taken little interest in public affairs beyond casting his vote and giving a public-spirited support to matters relating to the improvement or general welfare of his town. He was originally a Whig in political sentiment, casting his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay in 1844, and when the party merged into the Republican organization he gave his sup- port to the candidates of same, voting for Mc-

Kinley in 1896. He is liberal in religious opinion, and supports no particular denomination.

In December, 1849, in Avon, Mr. Bishop was married to Miss Sarah A. Woodford, a native of that town, born in 1819, daughter of Chester and sister of Chester R. Woodford. She was an in- telligent and highly-respected woman, a devout member of the Congregational Church, and lived a consistent Christian life, and her death, which occurred June 8, 1887, was widely mourned through- out Avon town. She was laid to rest in Avon cem- etery. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop had two children- Steward S., who now conducts the home farin, and Stella M., who lives with her father. The son mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Leggett, and they have had a family of five children : Frank, Bertie (who died young), Florence Elizabeth, Stella M. and Sarah Viola.

JOHN RICHARDSON BROWN, superintend- ent of Gordon Brothers Mills, at Hazardville, was born Jan. 30, 1858, in Selkirk, Scotland, a son of Joseph and Helen ( Richardson ) Brown.

The paternal grandparents of our subject were John and Margaret ( Roberts) Brown, the former a wool-spinner by trade. She was a sister of the founder of the celebrated firm of George Roberts & Co., manufacturers of Scotch tweeds. Mr. Brown's maternal grandparents, James and Agnes Richard- son, were farming people near Selkirk, occupying the historic residence at Foulshiels, where Mungo Park, the celebrated African traveler, was born.

Joseph Brown, father of our subject, a clergyman of the Presbyterian Church, came to America in 1881, and is now a Synodical missionary of the State of Wisconsin, having charge of the missionary work in that State.

John Richardson Brown was reared in his native town, and received a high-school education, gradu- ating in 1871. He then entered a wool store, learned the wool business, and passed a term of service, be- ing also engaged in the carding department. In 1879 he came to America and located in Philadel- phia, where he was employed as second hand in the woolen factory of James Dalton & Brother, serving them in that capacity two years, and was also for two years employed in a similar capacity with H. B. Rinehart, of the same city. Mr. Brown later took charge of the carding and spinning in the German- town (Penn.) Hosiery Mills ( Conyers, Button & Co.), left them to superintend the George Stead Manufacturing Co., manufacturers of woolen yarns, and in 1886 located at Hazardville, Hartford Co., Conn., where he has since held his present position with Gordon Brothers.

On Dec. 28, 1877, Mr. Brown married Robina, (laughter of George and Margaret (Sanderson) Douglas, of Selkirk, Scotland. She has borne him six children : Margaret, Helen, Joseph, Ruby, Mabel and Agnes. In politics Mr. Brown is a Republican. He is an adherent of the M. E. Church, and among

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fraternal orders is an active member of Doric Lodge, No. 94, F. & A. M., and Washington Chapter, No. 30, R. A. M.

S. JOHN MILLS, a prominent farmer and brick manufacturer, town of Windsor, was born there March 6, 1824, a son of Samuel W. and Can- dace (Allyn) Mills, the latter of whom was born in the house where our subject now lives.

Deacon · Elijah and Hulda (Drake) Mills, his paternal grandparents, had a family of eight chil- dren: Oliver, who was killed in boyhood by the kick of a horse, while leading it from the stable; Alathina, who married Frederick Mills, of Bloom- field, Conn., and died in the Black river country, N. Y .; Hulda, who married (first) Horace Turner, of Hartford, and (second) Roswell Marsh, of New Hartford; Samuel W., father of our subject; Laura, who married Ebenezer Lattimer, a Methodist Epis- copal minister ; Oliver W., who is represented else- where; Timothy D., a very ingenious man and nat- ural mechanic, who lived in Windsor ; and Julia, who married (first) Trumbull Hubbard and (second) Henry Goodwin, and died in Hartford. Deacon Mills was a farmer and brickmaker by occupation. He was born in Bloomfield, and when a young man came to Windsor, where he worked one year for Daniel Talcott for $96. It was here that he met his future wife. Although he began life for himself empty- handed, he was able to leave his family in comfort- able circumstances. He was killed in 1831, at the age of seventy years. While hauling a load of wood, from his wood lot, the load fell off and the wheel passed over him. His remains were interred in Windsor. He was a man of ordinary build, was a Federalist in politics, and was one of the prominent citizens of his community. He was a devout Chris- tian, a man of the strictest integrity, and was every- where known as Deacon Mills, having held that office in the Congregational Church at Windsor, of which he was an active member.

Samuel W. Mills, our subject's father, was born in March, 1794, was educated in the common schools of his day, and, being the eldest son who reached years of maturity, he remained at home, assisting in the work of the farm, until his marriage. He wedded Candace Allyn, who was born in October, 1800, and was the third in order of birth in a family of six daughters, whose parents were Fitz John and Deborah (Phelps) Allyn. Mr. Mills and his wife began their domestic life in the big brick house above Wilson's Station, which he and his father built, and there he carried on farming and brick- making until called from this life, at the age of sixty years, while his wife died at the age of eighty. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republi- can, and most acceptably filled the office of justice of the peace, though never an office seeker. Re- ligiously he was a faithful member of the Congre- gational Church at Windsor. Our subject is the eldest in his family of three children ; (2) Frederick

W., a civil engineer, went West, and has not been heard from for thirty years; and (3) Cecelia is the wife of David H. Decker, of New York.

Reared as a farmer boy, S. John Mills always remained at home with the exception of two winters spent in Amherst, Mass. He attended the district schools until thirteen, one of his first teachers being Miss Laura Barbor, and he further pursued his studies in the schools at Hartford. He was offered better educational advantages, but refused a college

course, and remained at home with his father until his marriage. In April, 1852, he wedded Miss Olive E. Drake, who was born in Windsor, Dec. 20, 1831, a daughter of David and Eunice (Eggleston) Drake. The following children were born of this union : Frank V., an ordained minister, was sent by the Presbyterian board as a missionary to China, where he remained seven years. He is married, has one child, Florence B., and now resides in Windsor. Charles W. died in infancy. Myra C., now at home, is a graduate of the Hartford high school, has en- gaged in teaching, and has also been employed as a stenographer. Samuel D. died in infancy, and Samuel J., Jr., was scalded to death when but a child. The wife and mother departed this life Nov. 19, 1895, and was laid to rest in the Windsor cemetery.

After his marriage Mr. Mills located on his pres- ent farm, which was the old homestead of his ma- ternal grandfather, one of the prominent and influ- ential citizens of that community. Our subject has always engaged in farming, for several years was also interested in the milk business, selling that prod- uct at wholesale, and is now interested in the manu- facture of brick. Although past his three-score years and ten he is still hale and hearty, but has, re- tired from active labor. Being quite 'a reader, he is well posted on the leading questions and issues of the day, and uses his right of franchise in support of the Republican party and its principles. He has served his fellow citizens in the capacity of select- man, and also as tax collector. Religiously he is a faithful member of the Congregational Church at Windsor.

CHARLES CURTIS BRONSON, the genial and popular landlord of the "Hotel Bronson," New Britain, was born at Elizabeth, N. J., Nov. 30, 1857, a son of Joseph Bronson, and a grandson of Horace Bronson, both natives of Watertown, Litchfield Co., Conn. His grandfather was a farmer, and his fa- ther a mechanic. The latter served in the Civil war, and died Nov. 30, 1861, at the early age of twenty- six years. He married Sarah Elizabeth Denman, by whom he had two children: Charles C .; and Helen Louise, who married Louis Sweiger, of Waterbury. Mrs. Sarah E. Bronson passed away on Christmas Day, 1883.

Charles C. Bronson completed his schooling at the age of fourteen years, having attended the dis- trict schools of Watertown, and, for three years, an

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academy at the same place. On leaving school he at once began a life of hard work, on a farm and in factories, and at any other line of employment which presented itself. In 1879 he came to New Britain, where he obtained a situation in the P. & F. Corbin factory, displaying such marked mechanical apti- tude that within six months he was given a contract. He continued to carry on this line of work until May 30, 1894, executing several contracts, from time to time, in the till-lock department, sometimes employing as many as a dozen men. In the year last named he went from New Britain to Stamford, where he took charge of the trunk-lock department of the Yale Company. This branch of the corpor- ation's business had just been started, and its prog- ress was so slow that Mr. Bronson, after a year's experience, determined to embark in a new line of

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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 96

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