Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 135

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Beers
Number of Pages: 1502

USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 135

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The children of James and Anna (John- son) Fowler are here named: (I) Eunice, the first born, came into this world June 26, 1805. She married Isaac Page, a farmer of Durham, where she passed her life, and was the mother of Henry Page, of that town, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere. (2)

Austin, the second child and eldest son, born January 22, 1807, married Merah Chittenden. He was a prosperous farmer in North Guil- ford. (3) Ruth Ann, Mrs. Russell Scranton, was born September 5, 1808, and died in early womanhood, on her husband's farm in North Guilford. (4) Isaac H., born July 24, 1810, married the sister of his brother Austin's wife, whose baptismal name was Harriet, and passed his life upon the farm in North Guilford. (5) Asa, born June 6, 1812, married Laura L. Camp. He, too, was a North Guilford farm- er, and is deceased. His widow lives with her son, Silas W. Fowler, who is one of the promi- nent citizens of Durham. (6) Hannah, born July 28, 1814, married Charles Hickox, a shoe- maker of Durham, in which town they both died and are buried. (7) Sophronia and (8) Cynthia (twins) were born November 2, 1816. Sophronia died September 14, 1818. Cynthia grew to womanhood, and gave her hand in marriage to Edwin Hall, a North Guilford farmer. Both she and her husband have passed away. (9) Sophronia (2), born December 4, 1818, was the wife of Moses H. Griswold, a farmer of Killingworth, and rests, with him, in the quiet graveyard there. (10) Dennis, the youngest of the family, was the father of Luther W. Fowler.

(VIII) Dennis Fowler's birthplace was his father's farm in Guilford, the date of his birth being January 17, 1820. He was reared a farmer's boy, and his life was passed in the same pursuits as his ancestors had followed for many antecedent generations. After his marriage to Hannah Maria Coe, which was celebrated September 19, 1844, he removed to North Guilford, but within a few years bought a farm in Middlefield, all of which is now owned and cultivated by Luther W. Fowler. In addition to general farming he was large- ly interested in stock raising devoting much attention to the 'breeding of horses and cattle of fine blood. He was successful in a finan- cial way, and left a handsome estate. Mr. Fowler was prominent in public affairs, serv- ing the town as selectman for several years, besides holding various minor offices. He was bitterly opposed to the tolerance of slavery, and was for many years affiliated with the Re- publican party. Later becoming more and more deeply impressed with a sense of the evils attendant upon the vice of intemperance, he espoused the tenets of the Prohibitionists,

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and acted with that party during the latter years of his life. In his religious faith he was an earnest and devout Methodist. Of the church of that denomination in Middlefield he was an active member and liberal supporter, contributing generously toward the erection of its new edifice, not only in money, but also in the use of teams for the purposes of excava- tion and hauling. He was a man of great physical strength, and indefatigable energy and tireless industry, and impressed these traits upon his sons by both example and pre- cept. His complexion was both ruddy and clear, his eye bright, and his tread at once firm and elastic. His blameless and exemplary life came to a close September 2, 1892. Mrs. Fowler was born in Middlefield June 17, 1824. Her father was Elias Coe, and her mother was Hannah M. Lyon, of South Farms.

The children of Dennis and Hannah Maria (Coe) Fowler were christened respectively : Frank E., Hannah C., Harriet A., Alvin C., Amy S., Luther Wilbur ( the distinguished gentleman whose life and ancestry form the theme of this sketch ), Arthur D. and Rosa M. The eldest son, Frank E., married Sabina Net- tleton. He is a mechanic by training, but con- ducts a meat market, as well as a real-estate business, at Meriden, where he is, besides, a successful breeder of fine varieties of poultry. Hannah is the wife of Andrew Horton, a butcher in Meriden. Harriet A. became the wife of Charles D. Edwards, a contractor in Meriden, and died there. Alvin C. carries on the occupation of builder in Middlefield ; he married Alta M. Nettleton. Amy S. has been twice married : her first husband, William Hall, lost his life in a railroad accident ; after his death she married Alonzo Dormer, a clerk and bookkeeper in the city of Meriden. Ar- thur D. married Lenora Benedict, and he, too, is one of Meriden's butchers. Rosa M. became the wife of William Venter, and they resided at Trenton, N. J., where she died. She was a woman of strong Christian faith and earnest piety, and her husband was for many years secretary of the Trenton Y. M. C. A.

Luther Wilbur Fowler was born June 7. 1860. The house in which he first saw the light stood almost directly opposite his pres ent home, and was destroyed by fire in 1808. The district schools of his neighborhood and a select school, presided over by Miss May Denison, afforded him his early educational 47

advantages. For three years after leaving school he was employed in driving a wagon for his brother, Alvin C., who conducted a suc- cessful meat route in Guilford. Subsequently he entered into partnership with his brother. their business being both extensive and profita- ble, and their wagons traversing the towns of Middlefield, Meriden and Westfield. This busi- ness connection with his brother continued for three years, when Luther W. disposed of his interest therein to C. N. Burnham, although he frequently thereafter was called upon, from time to time, to aid his vendor in recovering lost business, and finally consented to drive a meat wagon through that section for Mr. Burn- ham, for three years more. This life, however, ultimately became wearisome to him, and he abandoned it. Going to Meriden he found em- ployment with the Meriden Provision Com- pany, as salesman, his duties being confined to the handling of fresh and salt pork. He spent nearly three years in this vocation, and then returned to Middlefield, where he aided his father in the management of the home farm until the latter's death. On his father's demise he purchased the homestead, which is still his residence.

Mr. Fowler is a citizen of broad spirit and enlightened conservative judgment. In poli- tics he is a Republican, yet he is no bigoted partisan. He has never coveted nor sought office, yet he is not unmindful of the obliga- tions of a citizen. At the solicitation of his fellow townsmen he has consented to discharge the duties of various minor offices, and to serve on the board of selectmen for seven years, having held the position of first select- man since 1897.

Membership in secret organizations has never been especially attractive to Mr. Fowler. although he belongs to the Durham Coun- cil, No. 62. O. U. A. M. Both he and his wife are active members of the Middlefield Methodist Church, of Whose Sunday-school he has for many years been superintendent.

Mr. Fowler married Edith Minerva Pen- dleton September 27. 1880. She was born March 21, 1862, in Canaan, Conn., and until She had reached the age of nine years live at Goshen. Her parents then removing to Port- land, she accompanied them. A few years later her father, Heury L .. Pendleton, who was a wagonmaker, changed his place of residence to Middlefield. He died there February 25.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1896, and rests in the beautiful cemetery of that town. He was born February 1, 1837. He married Elvira Landon, who was born January 29, 1836, and still survives her hus- band, at the age of sixty-six, living at the home of her son Frederick, in New Britain. Mrs. Fowler was the third of the eight chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Pendleton. The others were: Mary Amelia, Anna, Frederick L., Flora L., Henry M., Charlotte Immogene and Alice Emily. Mary Amelia, born Septem- ber 22, 1859, married Gordon Goodrich, and is now living in Middlefield. Anna, 'born March 10, 1861, died September 8th, following. Fred- erick L. is a blacksmith and wagonmaker of New Britain; he married Mary Glick. Flora L., born May 1, 1866, is the wife of Charles Williams, a mechanic, and their home is in Berlin. Henry M. is a mechanic, and lives in Middlefield ; he was born May 26, 1872, and married Sadie Maria Fowler. Charlotte Im- mogene, born May 27, 1874, is the widow of Albert Abbey, of Wallingford, where she re- resides. Alice Emily, born September 23, 1876, is the wife of Irving S. Kent, of Hartford.

Children as follows have come to Mr. and Mrs. Luther W. Fowler : Franklin Henry, born June 28, 1881 ; Frederick Luther, Janu- ary 18, 1885; Ethel 'May, October 13, 1887 (died February 21, 1899) ; Leon Wilbur, Feb- ruary 13, 1889 (died in the Middlefield reser- voir, in the village of Baileyville, June 29, 1892) ; Ruth Esther, June 8, 1891 ; Percy Mer- ritt, October 17, 1893 (died October 24, 1894) ; and Lester Dennis, October 16, 1896.

Perhaps this sketch may be best closed by appending the following paragraph from the pen of one who well knows the family, and has carefully studied his history :

"I cannot say that the Fowlers are a great family in anything save in point of numbers. I have never known any very wealthy, or re- markably intellectual, or especially famous in any way, with the possible exception of Prof. William C. Fowler. Yet the family has been one ever held in high esteem, for the sake of its brave and upright men and its virtuous women. Its members have worthily filled their allotted places in this yorld. United in brotherly love, industrious, conscientious, self- reliant, helpful to others-what higher en- comium need be bestowed? It must not be forgotten that 'kind hearts are more than coronets, and simple faith than Norman

blood ;' and we will do well to follow in the footsteps, and emulate the virtues of those who have gone before, striving to honor them even as they have shed honor upon us."

S. MILLS BEVIN, a descendant of an old and honored family, has passed out of life, leaving the record of a. Christian life be- hind him. Mr. Bevin was born in East Hamp- ton, Middlesex county, March 27, 1861, son of Philo and Fidelia ( Watrous) Bevin, and his mother passed away when he was but an infant of six weeks.

Mr. Bevin received a thorough education, attending first the common schools and later Bradford Military Academy, at Middletown. For one year he was a student in the Military School at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and then at- tended Williston Seminary, at East Hampton, Mass., from which he graduated in 1882, go- ing from there to Princeton College, where he took honors in 1886. The next year he be- came identified with the Bevin Brothers Man- ufacturing Company, of East Hampton, Con- necticut.

Mr. Bevin was married in Brooklyn, N. Y., to Julia H. Williams, a native of Passaic, N. J., and to this union came children as fol- lows :: Fidelia Watrous, born in 1891, who died November 18, 1900; Allen Williams, born in 1893; Newton Philo, born in 1895 ;. and Harriet Williams, born in 1898.

Giles B. Williams, father of Mrs. Bevin, was born in Canterbury, Conn., and after graduating from Yale College became a jour- nalist in New York City, taking up that work especially during the Civil war; later he be- came interested in the publication of the Hide & Leather Journal, of New York. He died May 3, 1883, at the age of fifty-five. He mar- ried Harriet Morgan Allen, a native of Han- over, in the town of Sprague, New London Co., Conn., born October 29, 1833, now residing in Brooklyn, N. Y. To Mr. and Mrs. Will- iams were born: H. Louise, in 1864; Mary Morgan, in 1866 (married William J. Fish, of New York) ; Julia H. ( wife of our lament- ed subject ) ; and Gertrude C., in 1874. The grandparents of Mrs. Bevin belonged to old and respected families, William Hubbard and Mary (Clark) Williams being natives of Nor- wich, Conn. He was a mechanical draughts- man, and spent practically his whole life in the vicinity of his home. Mrs. Bevin's ma-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ternal grandparents were Ebenezer and Har- riet (Morgan) Allen, the former of whom was a woolen manufacturer of the town of Sprague. The latter was a descendant of the same stock that produced those celebrated men, J. Pier- pont and Gov. Morgan.

S. Mills Bevin was one of the prominent business men of East Hampton, and devoted time, energy and means to the business of the Bevin Brothers Manufacturing Company, of which he was secretary and assistant treasurer. A prominent man in social, public and political life, he was called upon for service in many po- sitions. In political faith he was a stanch Repub- lican, a member of the Republican town com- mittee for several years, and registrar of vot -. ers. He was a trustee of the Portland Savings Bank; a director in the Brainerd, Shaler & Hall Quarry Company, of Portland, Conn .; president of the Pocotopaug Water Power Company ; president of the Public Library; treasurer of the Chatham Hall Corporation, a member of the board of education, and a mem- ber of the Bicycle Bell Manufacturers Com- mittee. Socially he was a charter member of Patriot Council, No. 45, O. U. A. M. He was a member and a devoted and earnest worker in the Congregational Church, of which he was clerk and treasurer. In every office he displayed rare judgment and executive abil- ity. Mr. Bevin passed away March 6, 1900, and in his death East Hampton lost a citizen whose place in the community it will be diffi- cult to worthily fill. His faithfulness to his church, his family, his company, his town, will long linger in the memory of those who knew and loved him, and his last resting place, on the hillside overlooking the lake he loved so well, will be a shrine for those who saw in him not only an employer, but who recognized in him a true friend.

CHARLES WATROUS BEVIN, one of the representative business men of East Hamp- ton, Middlesex county, is also the owner and operator of a large farm in the town of Chat- ham. He was born in East Hampton August 9. 1854. son of Philo and Fidelia ( Wattous) Bevin, and is a brother of the late S. Mills Bevin, of East Hampton.

Charles W. Bevin received excellent edi cational advantages, attending the primary schools of his native place, later becoming a student at Golden Hill Institute, Bridgeport.

and subsequently enjoying instruction at French's School, in New Haven; he finally took a course at the Eastman Business Col- lege, in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. The following years he devoted to the interests of the Bevin Brothers Manufacturing Company, for a long time being their most reliable commer- cial man. Mr. Bevin first took charge of the New England States, and later covered New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland, in all of which territory he successfully placed his house before the public. At present he has given up commercial life, although he is still connected with the company as a director. A fine farm of 200 acres claims his attention, and his time is fully occupied in overseeing its cultivation. In politics Mr. Bevin is a stanch Republican; he does not wish for the cares of office. Socially he is connected with Pa- triot Council, No. 45. O. U. A. M., in which organization he is highly esteemed.

JOSEPH MERRIAM. secretary and treasurer of The Rockfall Woolen Company, who has his home in Middletown, Middlesex county, is one of the successful mill men of the State, and thoroughly understands his busi- ness. His success has come in a degree as a result of his business capacity and his skill as a manager, largely an inheritance from his fa- ther, a well known mill man of New England. The Merriams are well known in this connec- tion. Charles Merriam, an uncle of Joseph. was one of the founders of the Amoskeag mills at Manchester. New Hampshire.

The family is an old one in the history of New England, and springs from three brothers who came into the Colonies at an early day. The progenitor of this particular line settled et Concord, Mass. Representatives of the family fonght in the war of the Revolution. and Merriams Corner, at Concord, Mass .. is a historical spot.

Joseph Merriam was born at Southbridge. Mass . January 17, 1855, son of AAdolphus and Caroline ( Mckinstry ) Merriam, and a grand- son of Joseph Merriam. Adolphus Merriam was born at Concord. Mass., in 1820, and though he began life on his own resources he became a man of wealth and influence, and was prominent in mill circles. He attended the local schools and Framingham ( Mass. ) Acad- mv, and began the mill business in 1837. in the office of the Hamilton Woolen Company.

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at Southbridge. In later years he was con- nected with the mills in Springfield, Vt., Franklin Falls, N. H., and Millbury, and Cordaville, Mass. In 1871 he entered into a partnership with Hubbard Willson, and bought a mill at Cordaville, Mass. The firm of Merriam & Willson was successful, and grew into the Cordaville Woolen Com- pany. Mr. Merriam was also one of the lead- ing members of the American Powder Com- pany, at Acton, Mass., and for a time was president of the Gunpowder Trade Associa- tion of the United States. He died in 1889, and his wife in 1897. They were buried at Framingham. He was distinctively a business man, yet took a decided interest in public af- fairs. In politics he was a Republican. In 1865 he removed to Framingham, which hence- forth was his home, and he proved a valuable citizen of that community. He was presi- dent of the Framingham Savings Bank, and vice-president of the Framingham National Bank. Mr. Merriam reared a family of five children. Bernard F., brother of Joseph, who resides at South Framingham, is the president of the Rockfall Woolen Company, and is connected with other mills. John M., another brother, is a well known attorney at South Framingham; he was a graduate of Harvard College, is a member of the Anti- quarian Society, and was the private secre- tary of Senator Hoar, of Massachusetts.

Joseph Merriam bears a name that has been in his family for many generations. He at- tended the schools in his native town until he was a boy of ten, when his parents removed to Framingham. There he attended the high school, and spent a year at Dean Academy, Franklin, Massachusetts. He was almost of age when he entered the mill at Cordaville, with the purpose of doing things in such a way

that he might learn the entire business. Fail- ing health, however, necessitated a change of location, and he went to Colorado, to live an · outdoor life. Spending a year and a half there, he returned restored in health to resume his work for the Cordaville Woolen Company. He was in the office of that institution several years, and then went to Boston, where he was employed in the Deerfoot Farm store for a year. In 1882 Mr. Merriam came to Middle- town, and took charge of The Rockfall Wool- en Company. The affairs of this concern had been in a precarious condition, but under his

management have grown to success. He has been practically its head ever since its organ- ization.

In 1878 Mr. Merriam married Miss Abbie F. Willson, a native of Lowell, Mass. Her father, Hubbard Willson, married Lydia Sar- gent, daughter of one of the pioneer white. blanket manufacturers near Wilton, Maine. Mrs. Merriam was reared in Lowell and came with her parents to Cordaville. Her father was a member of the firm of Merriam & Will- ton. Mr. and Mrs. Merriam have had children as follows : Robert Willson, Helen Lydia and Alice Caroline, all living.

Mr. Merriam has taken that interest in po- litical matters which is the common duty of all men, but has never sought office. He is a Republican, and is well informed on live issues. He is a member of the Middletown Board of Trade; is trustee of the Middletown Building & Loan Society; a director of the Middlesex County National Bank ; a director of The Rog- ers Manufacturing Company, of Middlefield; a director of the Cordaville Woolen Company; president of the Springfield Webbing Com- pany, at Springfield, Mass .; and a director of The J. R. Montgomery Company, at Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

Mr. Merriam has been a resident of Mid- dletown since 1882. He built a home on Pearl street, near Washington, and later bought his present home, at the southeast corner of the same streets.

GEORGE HYDE BUCKLAND, a promi- nent and successful merchant of East Hamp- ton, Middlesex County, was born in Vernon, Tolland county, this State. November 2, 1842.

Amos C. Buckland his father, was a native of the same county, where he grew to man- hood and married Sophia Hyde, of Stafford, Conn., daughter of Ephraim Hyde. They be- came the parents of three children, of whom George H. is the youngest. Henry, born in 1835, died young. Caroline is a resident of Hartford, Conn. The father was a foundry worker by occupation. He was a Republican in politics. He died at the age of forty-three years, and his wife was a little older at the time of her decease.

The parents being in rather limited cir- cumstances, George H. Buckland received only the advantages of a common-schoo' education, and when a mere boy was obliged to provide

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

for himself, supporting himself almost en- tirely from the age of ten years. During his youth he was variously employed, and when a young man he moved to East Hamp- ton, in 1867, taking the contract to carry the mails between East Hampton and Middle- town, Conn., and holding that position un- til the completion of the Air Line rail- road. He also ran a stage, and after dis- continuing that business was for three years in the employ of different bellmakers of East Hampton, including the firms of Brown & Veazey ; Niles & Co .; the Gong Bell Company ; and Starr Brothers. In 1880 he embarked in mercantile business, as a member of the firm of Pierce & Buckland, and when Mr. Pierce re- tired the name was changed to Buckland & Barton, the junior partner being a step-son of the senior.

On February 12, 1871, Mr Buckland was united in marriage with Mrs. Victoria (Gates) Barton, and to them have come three children : John and Adeline, twins, were born March 18, 1875, and the former died at the age of six months, the latter at the age of nineteen years : Ernest, born May 12, 1878, assists his father in the mercantile business. In political views Mr. Buckland is a stanch Republican, and in his social relations he is a member of Patriot Council, O. U. A. M., of East Hampton. He is one of the leading and progressive business men of that place, and is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and are people of prominence in the community where they reside.

Mrs. Buckland traces her ancestry back to Nehemiah Gates, whose son, George Gates, was her grandfather. The latter was twice married, his first wife being a lady named Peters. Julius Gates, father of Mrs. Buck- land, was born in Chatham, in 1801, and when a young man engaged in school teaching in Middlesex county, but later took up farming in his native town, at which occupation he was successfully engaged throughout the remain- der of his life. He died at the age of seventy- five years, honored and respected by all who knew him. He married Susan Strong, daugh- ter of Henry Strong, and to them were born the following named children : Garrison M .. a resident of Moodus, Conn., married ( first ) Charity Clark, (second) Sarah Clark, and (third) Lucy ( Northam ) Fuller; Susan (de-

ceased) was the wife of Alexander Niles, of Chatham; Catherine died at the age of six years; Juliette (deceased) was the wife of Leverett Willey, of Chatham; Leroy D. F., a merchant of Hartford, married (first) Eve- line Leonard, and (second) a lady of Sag Har- bor ; Catherine married ( first ) William Brown, and (second) Walter Clark, of East Hamp- ton ; Adeline (deceased) was the wife of Hen- ry B. Brown, of East Hampton; Victoria is now Mrs. Buckland: Susan resides with Mrs. Buckland; Frank J .. a milk dealer of East Hampton, married Emily Seller.

Mrs. Buckland was born May 24. 1838, and first married John W. Barton, son of Hi- ram Barton. He was born May 11, 1835. and died October 7. 1867. Though a cripple from the age of sixteen years he was a very successful business man, and for some time was a member of the firm of Barton, White & Barton, bell manufacturers. After discon- tinuing that business he embarked in the gro- cery trade at Moodus under the firm name of Gates & Barton. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Barton, Frederick H. and Clay- ton D., both mentioned below.

Frederick Hiram Barton, born in East Hampton July 27, 1859. graduated from the business college at East Greenwich, R. I., and having learned telegraphy, was em- ployed as operator at various stations on the Air Line railroad, including East Hamp- ton and Cobalt. He is now night operator at the former place, and also carries on a barber shop in the village. Fraternal- ly he belongs to the Order of United American Mechanics and the Grange, and po- litically is identified with the Republican party. He ran for town clerk on his party ticket. but Chatham being strongly Democratic, was de- feated. Ile married Katie S. daughter of Jolin S. and Eliza ( Young) Markham, and they have four children : Ruby A., born All- gust 12. 1884: Laura A., Jannary 13. 1886: Edith M .. September, 1887: and John F., July 17. 1880.

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Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 135

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : Beers Number of Pages: 1502

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Beers
Number of Pages: 1502