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 98

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 98

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returned to Winsted, where she resided for several years, and then went to Glastonbury, making that place her home until 1872, when, as her son wished to engage in farming, she bought the place in Windsor town where she now lives. She is an in- tellectual and highly respected lady, and is an earn- est member of the Episcopal Church.

As soon as old enough Edwin W. Kellogg en- tered the public schools of Winsted, where he pur- sued his studies until ten years old, at which time he and his mother removed to Glastonbury, his ed- ucation being completed in the academies at that place and South Glastonbury. On account of ill health he was compelled to leave school at the age of sixteen. As a boy he worked as a farm hand, and it was his desire to devote his life to agricul- tural pursuits. At one time he had an attack of "western fever," and to satisfy this his mother pur- chased the farm in Windsor town which he has since so successfully managed. He is now one of the progressive and substantial farmers of the com- munity, thoroughly conversant with every depart- ment of farm work. In politics he is a Democrat, and, while not an office seeker or a politician from selfish motives, he is one of the counsellors and ad- visers of the party in his section, and has always worked for the party's success, his influence being used for his friends. Socially he is a member of the Masonic lodge at Windsor. Mr. Kellogg married Miss Jennie Pinney, of Bloomfield, and they have had two children : Hattie .\., and Elisha S.

ARCHIBALD WELLINGTON OSTER- HOUDT, a respected grower of tobacco and gen- eral farmer of Suffield, was born in Dutchess county; N Y., Sept. 2, 1850, and on the mother's side is descended from one of the good old Knickerbocker families that first ruled the Empire State; pater- nally he is also of Dutch descent.

James Osterhoudt, father of subject, was born in Lackawanna county, Penn., and was a son of Jonathan Osterhoudt, a sea-faring man. James Osterhoudt grew to manhood in his native county, but was still a young man when he went to Red Hook, Dutchess Co., N. Y., where he engaged in dairying and general farming, and where he mar- ried Miss Sarah Lowen, a native of the county, and also of Dutch descent. To their union were born five children, in the following order: John, deceased ; Phebe, wife of Charles R. Hoffman, of Red Hook : Archibald W., our subject : Frank, of White Plains, N. Y. ; and Henry, of Gloversville, N. Y. The fa- ther and mother both died in the faith of the Epis- sopal Church, and were interred in the cemetery at Red Hook.

Archibald W. Osterhoudt was educated in the public schools of his native town, and also at St. Stephen's College, Allendale, N. Y. At the age of fourteen years he left the latter institution and shipped on board the "Golden Horn," of Prince Edward Island, as an ordinary seaman, and for

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three years led a sea-faring life, visiting many sea- ports of the world. On his return to Red Hook, he resided on the homestead until 1876, when he came to Connecticut and rented land at Simsbury, Hart- ford county, and engaged in dairying, tobacco cul- ture and general farming for upward of seventeen years. By this time, through his industry and fru- gal habits, he had acquired some capital, and in 1893 came to Suffield and bought two tracts of land, comprising fifty-six acres, from Capt. Hamilton, and engaged in the customary culture of tobacco and general farming. He made many improve- ments on the place, remodeled the dwelling, and has now as fine a farmasany of its size in the county.

Mr. Osterhoudt was united in marriage, at Red Hook, N. Y., in 1875, with Miss Lula Van Derbilt, a native of Saugerties, Ulster Co., N. Y., and a daughter of James and Kate (Longerdyke) Van- Derbilt, and a granddaughter of Peter Van Derbilt, all of true Holland descent. To this marriage have been born two children : George V., who was edu- cated in his native town of Simsbury at the public schools, and also at the Suffield Literary Institute and the Business College at Hartford, died Oct. 30, 1899; Mary A., also a native of Simsbury, is at- tending high school in Windsor Locks, and is quite an artist in crayon and water colors, considering her age. The family attend the Episcopal Church, and of this church Mr. Osterhoudt was a vestry- man at Tariffville for several years. He is an honored member of St. Mark's Lodge, No. 39, F. & A. M., at Granby, and is a temperate, industri- ous and frugal man, and a useful citizen. In poli- tics he is a Republican, but has never been an office seeker.

Mrs. Osterhoudt is a lady of culture and refine- ment, and is noted for her housekeeping accom- plishments, as well as her literary tastes, and her home gives every evidence of her fitness, in all things to be the wife of a deserving husband.

HON. FITCH LEVERETT BISHOP, who passed away Jan. 29, 1900, was for many years a representative citizen of Avon town, Hartford county, where he was prominent as a well-to-do farmer and member of the tobacco firm of F. Rip- ley & Co., the most extensive dealers in their line along the Farmington river. He was born Oct. 5, 1828, in that town, on the homestead of the Bishop family at Cider Brook.

Mr. Bishop was a descendant of one of the old- est families of Hartford county, whose members have always been identified with the best in social and public life, taking an active part in the ad- vancement of local interests and distinguishing themselves for public spirit and intelligence as citi- zens and in the conduct of their private affairs. His grandfather, Thomas F. Bishop, was a lifelong resident of Avon, which during his early years was included in Farmington town. When but fifteen years old he entered the service of his country as

a soldier in the Revolution, serving for three years in that struggle, and he took part in the siege of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Thomas F. Bishop was a large land owner and engaged extensively in dairy farming and stock raising, which he followed prin- cipally all his life. He was a strong Whig in po- litical sentiment, and though he never sought or held office he wielded a marked influence for good in the 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 fellow men. Mr. Bishop was married, in Avon, to Miss Lucy Foot, and they became the parents of eleven children, namely: Stella, who married Ches- ter Woodford; Benjamin, who married Betsey Woodford; Delia, who became the wife of George Woodford; Samuel, father of our subject; Jacob, who married Diana Frisby; Jeffrey, who married Dolly Woodford; Lucy, wife of Hiram Andrews ; Thomas N., who married Sally Andrews; Gedor Pitt; Adeline, who married Albert Bissell; and Joseph, who married Zerviah Woodford. The par- ents 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 interest 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 education 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, dairying, stock raising and tobacco culture. He was a prominent citizen 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 represented Avon in the State Legislature, dis- tinguishing himself in every incumbency for trust- worthiness and capacity of a high order. About 1872 he was again representative. 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 character and consistent moral life gave him a strong influence among his towns- men, which was always exerted for the public good. Originally a Whig in political affiliation, he became a Republican when the party changed, and was a stanch suporter of the principles of the organiza- tion. His life was an exemplary one in every re- spect, and he sustained 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

Je " To Bishop

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was born April 20, 1798, in that town, a daughter of Selah and Sarah (Hutchinson) Woodford, and six children were born to this union, namely: Julia Ann, who became the wife of Charles A. Stowe, of Avon; Lucius S., a retired resident of Avon ; Sarah M., widow of Dan A. Miller, living in Bris- tol; Dan 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 re- moval 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 family, and with her husband was active in the work of the Congre- gational Church, of which they were members for years. He held the office of deacon.

Fitch Leverett Bishop remained under the pa- ternal roof until 1852, receiving a thorough train- ing to farm life, and during his boyhood attending the district schools, where he gained a good prac- tical education. In 1852, having caught the "gold fever," he started for California, making the jour- ney by way of Panama, and he spent two years in the "new Eldorado," meeting with reasonable suc- cess in the hunt for gold. After his return, by the same route, he settled down to agriculture on the homestead, where he ever after remained, growing tobacco and carrying on general farming and dairy- ing, in which he became prosperous beyond his ex- pectations. He improved the place constantly after he undertook the cultivation of same on his own ac- count, and the property is now one of the most val- uable in the town, representing as it does the result of years of careful and systematic management. He commenced the tobacco business in 1872, buy- ing and selling, and was a member of the firm of F. Ripley & Co., the largest tobacco dealers along the Farmington river.

Mr. Bishop was an honorable, energetic and ca- pable business man, and the qualities which brought him success in his own affairs were also turned to account in the affairs of the town in which he made his home, for his fellow citizens, recognizing his ability and worth, honored him with election to nu- merous offices of responsibility and trust. He filled the office of selectman of Avon for eight terms, and in 1870 was chosen to represent the town in the State Legislature at New Haven, during his serv- ice in that incumbency acting as member of the committee on Claims. In 1884 he was again elected to the Assembly, serving at Hartford, and during this term was a member of the committee on Cor- porations. Throughout his service as a legislator he distinguished himself for sound judgment and intelligence of a high order and gave unbounded satisfaction to his constituency in Avon, discharging all his duties with a fidelity and regard for the wel- fare of the community he represented which won hearty approval for him at home and in the legisla- tive body. He was also assessor of his town. In

political affiliation Mr. Bishop was always a stanch Republican. He was a self-made man, in the best sense of that often misused term, and the substan- tial position which he occupied in the business world was due entirely to his own ambitious and enterprising efforts. His remains rest in Avon cemetery.

Mr. Bishop was married, Oct. 9, 1861, at Farm- ington, to Miss Jane E. Andrews, a native of that town, daughter of Amon and Roxana (Goodhue) Andrews, and granddaughter of James Andrews. Three children were born to them, namely: Nellie Stanley received her education in the common and high schools. Sarah Roxana attended the schools of Avon, and completed her education at Miss Por- ter's select school. Mary Belle attended the dis- trict schools and at Farmington; she is an artist of marked ability, studied painting with Miss Rob- erts, Mr. Flagg and Mr. Brandegec, and visited the best studios in Paris, France, taking a very com- plete course of training in her profession, in which she stands high, being now engaged in teaching painting at Berlin. The entire family are noted for their culture and refinement, and their home is one of the most agreeable in Avon, Mrs. Bishop and her daughters delighting in extending hos- pitality to their wide circle of friends in and around the town. Mrs. Bishop completed her education in the high schools of Farmington and West Hart- ford, and subsequently taught school for ten years, in Farmington, Berlin, Plainville, West Hartford and Burlington. She is a refined Christian woman, devoted to her home and actively interested in church work, she and her daughters uniting with the Congregational Society. The entire family are earnest workers for the advancement of educa- tional and social interests, and they occupy a high position among the best and most intelligent people of Hartford county.

SIRVILIUS ARTIIUR GRISWOLD, a repre- sentative and highly respected citizen of Suffield, was born in that place Feb. 19, 1850, and is a son of Arthur W. and Mary ( Harrison ) Griswold.

Martin Griswold, the paternal grandfather, a native of Vermont, settled in Suffield in the carly. part of the nineteenth century, and there engaged in farming until called from this life. He wedded Miss Mary Wallace, and to them were born nine children who reached years of maturity : Laura, wife of Alvah Allen; Addi; Ladora, wife of Warner Patton ; Martin : Melinda, wife of Elijah Himes; Mary, wife of Alanson S. Burbank ; Clark; Sirvil- ius ; and Arthur W. The last-named, who was the father of our subject, was reared in Suffield, where he made his home throughout life, being engaged in agricultural pursuits. His children were Luannah, wife of Loren Hastings ; Sirvilius A. ; and Noyes 11. Our subject's maternal grandparents were Benjamin and Mary ( Wilcox) Harrison, of Suffield.

In his native town Sirvilius A. Griswold passed

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his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farmer lads of his day. His education was ac- quired in the common schools of the town and the high school of Hadley, Mass. He continued to as- sist in the labors of the home farm until sixteen years of age, and then took up marine engineering, following that occupation until 1898. He operated a ferry between Suffield and Thompsonville for a quarter of a century, but since June, 1898, has been engineer for the Hartford Carpet Co., at Thomp- sonville, though he still continues to make his home in Suffield, where he has always resided.

On Feb. 2, 1871, Mr. Griswold was united in marriage with Miss Augusta West, a daughter of Abner and Anna (Shuman) West, of Rensselaer- ville, N. Y., and to them was born one daughter, Luannah H., now the wife of Ralph E. Moody. Politically Mr. Griswold is identified with the Dem- ocratic party ; socially he affiliates with the Order of United American Mechanics. His genial, pleas- ant manner makes him quite popular, and as a public-spirited, enterprising man he is recognized as a valued citizen of the community.

MISS CORDELIA LUCY ARCHER, of Suf- field, is a descendant of one of the most prominent families of that locality, many of its members hav- ing been numbered among the progressive and pa- triotic citizens of the Revolutionary period. Her beautiful residence, which occupies a most attrac- tive location in the town, has long been the center of a refined hospitality, and her position in social life has always been an enviable one. Her wealth in- volves no little care and responsibility, but while she is generous and kind-hearted, she has shown rare business ability in the management of her affairs. Her early educational advantages were of the best, and after completing a district-school course at Suf- field she entered Miss Edward's Episcopal school, at New Haven, Conn .; Mr. Hemenway's private school, Suffield, and the Connecticut Literary In- stitute. Her extensive travel and wide reading of the best literature make her conversation full of interest, and her sympathy for philanthropic and religious work is shown in many ways. For thirty- eight years she has been an active member of the Congregational Church, to which she is a liberal contributor, as were her forefathers from pioneer times.

Miss Archer's first ancestors in the paternal line of whom we have a definite account were Thomas Archer, a native of England, who came to America in early manhood, and settled in Suffield in 1749. He engaged in farming, and also dealt extensively in indigo, and as a citizen was highly esteemed. He died March 14, 1797, and his wife, Azuba Olds, clied Dec. 20, 1806. They had the following chil- dren : Thomas, born March 25, 1750, died Oct. 6, 1752; May, born March 24, 1752; Elizabeth, born June 19, 1753; Sabra, born June 4, 1755; Thomas (2), our subject's grandfather ; Azuba, born Nov.

27, 1762; Lucy, born Nov. 14, 1764; Louisa, born Aug. 22, 1768; Eusebius, born March 22, 1770; and Jemima, born March 23, 1772.

Thomas Archer (2) was born in Suffield June 17, 1758, and was active in the struggle for Indepen- dence. He was prominent in business as a mer- chant, hotel-keeper, and farmer, and was also inter- ested in shipping slaves from Africa. The house which he occupied is now probably the oldest house in the town. On Dec. 21, 1778, he married Roxana Hancock, who died Oct. 24, 1831, and his death oc- curred July 6, 1797. Their children were: Zeno, born June 26, 1779, died in New Orleans Dec. 14, 1800; Cynthia, born Sept. 15, 1780, died Aug. 12, 1823; Thaddeus, born May 9, 1782; Horace, born Feb. 7, 1784, died on the coast of Africa in 1810; Ann Eliza, born Feb. 4, 1786; and Thomas, our subject's father.

Thomas Archer (3), was born in Suffield, Jan. 10, 1793, and became a highly-respected resident and one of the most extensive land holders of the town, a portion of the village of Suffield being built upon his homestead. For some years he conducted a hotel at Suffield, and in 1877 he removed to Suf- field Center, where he died April 21, 1880. On Nov. 30, 1820, he married Lucy Remington, daugh- ter of Capt. Abijah Remington, and a member of a well-known family. She died April 18, 1867, deeply mourned by a large circle of friends. Their chil- dren were given the best opportunities, educational and social, which the time and locality afforded, and all have held honorable positions in life. (I) George, born Sept. 10, 1821, died Aug. 4, 1822. (2) George, born July 4, 1823, is now a prominent citizen of Suffield. (3) Luther, born Feb. 8, 1824, enlisted Aug. II, 1862, in Company A, 7th Conn. V. I., and was wounded July II, 1863, at Fort Wagner, S. C. For many years he resided in Suffield, his death occurring July 20, 1878. (4) Horace, born May 20, 1826, resides in Pittsfield, Mass. (5) Cor- delia L., born April 14, 1830, is the subject of this sketch. (6) Mary, born Sept. 5, 1832, married Col. George S. Burnham, of Hartford, and died March 10, 1893. (7) Louise L., born Sept. 7, 1834, mar- ried N. S. Pomeroy, of Suffield. (8) Sarah E., born Sept. 6, 1836, married E. D. Morgan (son of Ex-Gov. Morgan, of New York), and died Feb. 22, 1880. (9) Helen L., born Oct. 13, 1838, died Sept. 10. 1897, in Suffield, where she was greatly beloved. She always resided with our subject, and was foremost in all good works in Suffield. Gen- erous to a fault, she was especially active in church work, and in Sybil Dwight Kent Chapter, of the D. A. R., of which she was Regent. (10) Isabel, born Feb. 26, 1840, died in May, 1840.

THOMAS MORRISON, a leading and enter- prising citizen of Enfield, and overseer of the worsted department of the Hartford Carpet Co., at Thomp- sonville, was born in Barnet, Vt., Feb. 9, 1837, a son of John and Elizabeth (Barber) Morrison, both

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natives of Scotland, who came to America in 1832 and located in Craftsbury, Vermont.

For about five years the father engaged in farm- ing at Peacham and Barnet, that State, and in 1837 came to Thompsonville, Conn., and entered the employ of the Thompsonville Carpet Co., as a weaver, remaining there until 1839, when he re- moved to Saxonville, Mass., where he held a similar position for two years. He afterward worked in Norwich, Conn., North Grafton and Roxbury, Mass., and finally returned to Saxonville, where the last five years of his life were spent, and where he died in 1848. His children were Margaret, wife of George Flood ; John; Ellen, wife of James Rob- bins; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Butman; Agnes, wife of James Dreghorn; Charles F .; James ; Thomas; and William. Our subject's maternal grandparents, Charles and Margaret Barber, of Scotland, also came to the New World in 1832 and settled in Vermont, but after sixteen years spent in this country they returned to their native land, where both died.

Thomas Morrison was reared in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and received a limited common- school education. When in his eleventh year he began work as a mill hand in a worsted mill, and worked in various sections of the country until his nineteenth year. He then served a three years' ap- prenticeship at the brass finisher's trade in Nor- wich, Conn., and worked as a journeyman at that occupation for one year. During the early part of the Civil war he was employed by the Colt Fire Arms Co., at Hartford, Conn., for a year and a half, and in 1862 enlisted in Company C, 20th Conn. V. I., serving for seven months. On his return from the war he was in the employ of the government, at New York City, in the making of Springfield rifles for a year and a half, and was then made overseer of the worsted department of a carpet mill at. Rifton Glen, N. Y., where he remained one year. In 1866 he came to Thompsonville and entered the employ of the Hartford Carpet Co., as a machinist ; from 1867 until 1870 had charge of the carding room, and in August of the latter year was ap- pointed overseer of the worsted department of the mills, which position he has since held to the entire satisfaction of the company.

Mr. Morrison first married Miss Frances, daugh- ter of John Q. and Mary Cox, of Norwich, Conn .; she died leaving one son, George M. For his second wife he wedded Miss Mary J. Robinson, a daughter of William and Julia A. Robinson, also of Norwich, and of the six children born to them three still survive: Hattie R., wife of Charles Perkins; George J .; and Mary Ella, wife of Joseph Leete. His present wife was Miss Mary Pease, a daughter of Arvin and Mary A. (McCandless) Pease, of Enfield, and a descendant of Robert Pease, who came from England to America in the ship "Fran- cis" in 1630, and located in Salem, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison are earnest members of the First

Presbyterian Church, and have the respect and es- teem of all who know them. Politically he is in- dependent, supporting the man whom he believes best qualified to fill the office, regardless of party ties.

SAMUEL BARR, one of the progressive farm- ers and tobacco growers of Suffield, was born in the town of Dromara, County Down, Ireland, July 5, 1843, and descends from a Scotch family who in troublous days were all loyal to the Crown of England.

John Barr, grandfather of Samuel, was born in Rathfryland, County Down, was a farmer, and died a member of the Presbyterian Church. His son, Andrew, was born in Rathfryland, County Down, farmed in his native county until 1862, and then moved to County Antrim, where he passed liis years in farming until his death. To his marriage with Elizabeth Orr, in his native county, were born seven children : Elizabeth Jane, still in Ireland ; Martha, deceased; Samuel, subject of this sketch; Mar- garet, married to Daniel Eagleson, a respected farmer of Suffield, who is a native of County An- trim, Ireland; John, who died at New Bedford, Mass .; Hannah G., who has been twice married ; and Mary Ann, wife of Andrew Bell, of County Antrim, Ireland. The parents both died in the Presbyterian faith. The father, although loyal to the Crown of England, was a . great admirer of the republican form of government.

Samuel Barr, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the national schools of Ireland, and assisted his father in farming, in both County Down and County Antrim, until 1869, when he came to the United States via Liverpool, England, landed at Boston, Mass., whence he came direct to Suffield, Conn., and here found employment at farm labor with Marvin Lewis, beginning with a debt of $50. Here he worked for nine years, never lost a day through sickness, and at the end of this time found himself possessed of some funds. In 1878 he pur- chased the Hastings farm, a tract of thirty-two acres near llasting's Hill, on which he expended $4,000 in remodeling the dwelling and erecting the necessary farm buildings, and here he has ever since been engaged in the cultivation of tobacco, general farming and dairying.

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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 98

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