Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 145

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 145

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Mr. Bacon was born January 21, 1849, on Cherry street, Middletown, in the old Sage house, son of John P. and Sarah ( Southmayd ) Bacon. In 1650 the founder of this family Nathaniel Bacon, settled in Middletown, and the line of descent to our subject is as follows : Nathaniel ( 1630-1705) ; Elder John ( 1662- 1732); Lieut. John ( 1696-1781) : Joseph ( 1728-1785) ; Capt. John ( 1776-1837 ) : John P. ( 18144-1898) ; Sherman M., 1849.

In early boyhood Sherman M. Bacon at- tended the excellent schools of Middletown, including the Green street school and the Cen- tral school. When but fourteen he entered the store of Sammel Stearnes, on the southeast corner of Main and Court streets, dealer in furnishing goods, boots and shoes, remained there a year and then was employed in what was known as the Union Store, conducted by A. M. Bidwell. His next employers were Messrs. Ward & Rutty. Mr. Bacon next went

into business with his father, succeeding his brother, C. G. Bacon, in the firm of J. P. Bacon & Son. Later he bought a third inter- est in the firm of J. Bacon & Son, boot and shoe dealers, in which, however, he remained but a short time, selling his interest to W. K. Bacon. After this he went to New York City. and, after sonte successful operations, returned to Middletown and embarked in business under the firm name of Fuller & Bacon on the cor- ner of Green and Main streets. Later Mr.

Bacon entered the en:ploy of the Valley Rail- way Company, at Middletown; was subse- quently agent of the Air Line railroad; andl upon severing his connection with that com- pany, helped to form the firm of Carroll, Fitzgerald & Bacon, to carry on the coal busi- ness. The firm was later Carroll & Bacon. Then Mr. Bacon was sole proprietor. and finally the business was consolidated with the Middletown Coal Company, of which Mr. Bacon became president, but since 1897, he has been its agent, at Middletown.

Sherman Mitchell Bacon was married, on March 30, 1870, at Irvington-on-the-Hudson. to Arianna Pauline Bailey, who was born June 24, 1850, in Deep River, Conn., daughter of Martin and Sarah M. ( Stevens) Bailey. Martin Bailey, who died about 1864, was a merchant of Middletown. His widow married Daniel Russell, who is now deceased. Mrs. Bacon was the only child of her parents, and was but four years old when they settled in Middletown. Mrs. Russell, who is a daughter of Deacon Gilbert and Marietta (Clark) Ste- vens, now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Ba- con. At the Stevens family reunion, in Septem- ber, 1801, at Deep River, there were present five generations: Deacon Gilbert Stevens: Sarah M. (Stevens) Russell: Mrs. Sherman M. Bacon: Mrs. Matic Astel Collamore: 11. Bacon Collamore. To Mr. and Mrs. Bacon have come the following family : Matic . Avtel. born February 25, ISTE: Susie Maria and Sadie Martin, twins, born May 15. 1873: John P., born October 14. 18; 1: Richie Mor- Tow. born June 20, 1878: Sherman Russell. born November 2. ISSO; and Sophie Putnam. born June 15. 1884 Matic Vatel was married April IS, 1888, to Harry Nichols Collamore. resident of Providence, R. L. and they have three children-11. Bacon, bom Juk 8. 1801: Irvin Mayhew, born February 8. 1805: and Ernest Edwin, Form August 4. 1807 Susie

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Maria and Sadie Martin died August 15, 1873, and September 16, 1873, respectively. Rachie Morrow was married April 16, 1900, to Walter Varndell, and died August 9, 1900, at Orange, New Jersey. Sherman Russell died September 5, 1881.

Mr. Bacon was elected and served as first selectman of the town of Middletown for nine consecutive years; was a member of the common council for several years; and for a long time was a member of the city school board. He is a stanch Democrat in politics.

Mr. and Mrs. Bacon are consistent members of the Universalist Church; he was superin- tendent of the Sunday-school for a number of years, and Mrs. Bacon sang in the choir. Fra- ternally he is a member of St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M .; Washington Chapter; Cyrene Commandery ; and Sphinx Temple, of Hart- ford. He is an enthusiastic member of the Knights of Pythias, being the most prominent supporter of that society in Middletown; he was a charter member of Apollo Lodge, No. 33, which was instituted November 6, 1872, has represented the State in the Supreme Lodge, and is the only past grand chancellor in Middlesex county.

In 1894 Mr. Bacon purchased the Alsop homestead, and in June, 1900, purchased his present home. Public-spirited, generous, kind- hearted, he makes friends wherever he goes, and both he and his wife are as popular social- ly as they are prominent among the leading people of Middletown.

HENRY H. SHERMAN. This promin- ent business man of Middletown, Middlesex county, so widely known and universally es- teemed, is a member of the firm of Mourse, Sherman & Co., whose reputation as clothiers and men's furnishers is too well established either to call for commendation or to admit of dispute. Affluent and honored to-day, he owes his conspicuous position in the community to his own patient industry, sound sense, and ad- mirable powers of discrimination. The story of his life is full of interest, and from it youth may draw instructive lessons. His family is one of the oldest in New England, his ances- tors belonging to the historic Shermans of Rhode Island, whose American progenitor James Sherman, was one of the devoted band of religionists whose feet trod Plymouth Rock in 1620.

Henry H. Sherman was born in Lyndon, Vt., January 15, 1845, grandson of James Sherman, who came from Rhode Island, and was one of the Green Mountain pioneers. He cleared away the timber and redeemed the fal- low land, rearing his family to fear God, re- spect the law of the land and honor the inherent dignity of honest toil. His son George, the fa- ther of Henry H., was born in that town, and reared as a farmer. He married Calista Flet- cher, and settled on a farm adjoining that of his father. He was notable for industry, thrift and piety, and both he and his wife were among the town's most highly respected residents. Of the six children born to this couple the subject of this sketch is the only one yet living. One of his brothers, George Jr., went to California in early youth, and died there.

Mr. Sherman's boyhood was passed after the manner of Vermont farmers' sons before 1850. Work was abundant, and the privilege of a desultory attendance upon the district schools of those early days was the only oppor- tunity for education he had. He had reached the age of twelve when his father removed to the village of St. Johnsbury Center, where he owned and cultivated a small farm. A change in locality, however, made no alteration in the manner of the boy's life. His familiarity with every description of farm work grew apace, and for a time it seemed that threshing and mowing, reaping and husking, the care of stock and swine, were destined to constitute at once the scope and the limitation of his life. He at- tended the old St. Johnsbury Academy, which was the highest institution of learning beneath whose portals he ever passed as a pupil. His school days ended while he was a lad of seven- teen, and wearying of farm life and labor, he resolved to enter upon a mercantile career. His first commercial experience was acquired as a clerk in the general store of W. H. McGaffey, in his native town, Lyndon, receiving by way of payment for his services the munificent re- numeration of fifty dollars per annum in addi- tion to his board. After two years of this life he found employment with the firm of E. & T. Fairbanks, the celebrated manufacturers of scales, at St. Johnsbury. Two years later he entered the employ of Hall & Fletcher, of the same town, whom, after a time, he left to be- come a clerk in a general store at Randolph, Vt., where he remained until 1873. He had formed the acquaintance of F. C. Smith,

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of Meriden, Conn., who was passing his mid- summer holiday in Randolph. Mr. Smith was then the junior partner in the newly formed firm of F. E. Mourse & Co., of Middletown, Conn., which was about to embark in the cloth- ing business at Middletown. The visitor was quick to recognize the innate ability of the young country clerk, nor was he slow in form- ing a correct estimate of his fidelity and integ- rity. The acquaintance soon ripened into mu- tual esteem, and young Sherman was engaged as a clerk in the new store about to be opened, his duties at Middletown to begin in April. 1873. He rapidly mastered all the details of the business, and his aptitude, not less than his close attention to duty and unwavering hon-

esty, gained for him rapid promotion. In 1880 he was made general manager; and three years later was admitted into partnership. Of the character of the concern, which is one of the oldest and most reputable in the city and county, it is unnecessary to speak in detail.

Mr. Sherman has always stanchly and con- sistently supported the Republican party in all National and State issues, casting his first Presidential vote for Gen. Grant, in 1868. His interest in politics, however, is only that legi- timately taken by every conscientious and pub- lic-spirited citizen. In no sense of the word is he an office seeker, although, at the request of his fellow townsmen, he has served in the city council. He is one of the Knights of Pythias and a member of St. John's Lodge, A. F. & A. M.

Mr. Sherman married Hattie L., daughter of James and Harriet ( Way ) Hall, of Meriden. and they have two children, Howard H. and Helena. Both Mr. Sherman and his estimable wife are members and liberal contributors to the support of the South Congregational Church. Faithful to every trust, a true friend, a pleasant companion, an upright citizen and a sincere Christian, he enjoys the undisguised esteem of the members of the community, irre- spective of party or creed.

DEMAS WINITMORE CORNWALL. For almost two centuries the Cornwall family, one of the oldest in this part of Connecticut. has been prominently identified with the his- tory of Portland, to which it has given many of its best citizens. It descends from Sergt. William Cornwall, who came to Massachu- setts in 1634. He and his first wife, Joan.

were members of the church of the Rev. John Eliot, at Roxbury, and in 1636 they joined in the great removal to Connecticut. He was one of thirty-seven soldiers to make an attack on the Pequot Indians the following year. In 1651 he removed with the first settlers to Middletown, and became a prominent man in that town. He was a representative in the General Assembly in 1651. 1657, 1664 and 1665, and he was constable in 1664. His death occurred February 21, 1668. His sec- ond wife bore the Christian name of Mary. He was the father of the following children : Sergeant John, William. Samuel, Jacob. Sarah, Thomas, Esther and Elizabeth.

(II) William Cornwall, son of Sergeant William, was born June 24, 1641, lived in Middletown, and died June 15. 1691. On November 30, 1670, he was married to Mary Bull, who died November 25. 1717. Their children were as follows: William. Jacob, Experience, Abigail, Ebenezer and Eleazer.

(III) The Cornwalls of Portland are de- scended from William Cornwall (son of Will- iam), who was born 1671, and who died 1747. He removed to East Middletown, back of Waugunk Meadows, about 1703. In 1691 he was married to Esther Ward, who died July 13, 1734, at the age of sixty-five. Their chil- dren were as follows: William, Mary, Eben- ezer, Andrew, John, Samuel, Esther and Jacob.

(IV) Andrew Cornwall, son of Willian, was a brick maker, and conducted a brick- vard northwest of the present home of Nelson Shepard of Portland. While engaged in transporting brick in a scow on the Connecti- cut river, a leak was sprung, and he was drowned, at the early age of thirty two years. He was the father of three sons: Sam- uel, a farmer on Rose Hill, on the farm which afterward was owned by his grandsons: Andrew, mentioned below; and Daniel, who removed to the frontier line in the State of New York.

( V) Andrew Cornwall was a substantial farmer in his day. He died in the fall of 1800, from the effects of the bite of a rabid dog. llis widow, Mary ( Bartlett ), remained on the old homestead, and reached a great age She was the mother of the following children: Eher, who went to New York, and later to Wisconsin, becoming a pioneer in the vicinity of Milwaukee, and died very wealthy:

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Andrew, who settled in Wayne county, N. Y., where he died; Ansel, a settler in the same county with the latter, where he was always engaged as a carpenter and joiner, and became a wealthy farm owner; William, who moved to Wayne county, N. Y., where he soon after died from a very severe attack of fever and ague; Ann, who married a Mr. Black in New York, and died in Wayne county; Lydia, who married Seth Eddy, a Vermont school teacher, and lived on Rose Hill until the death of her husband, and then made her home in Portland, with her son Amos ; and Amos.

(VI) Amos Cornwall was born April 30, 1800, on Rose Hill. His wife, Sybil Taylor, was born about 1801, in East Glastonbury, Conn., and when a young girl came to Port- land to live with Abner Sage on Rose Hill, as her parents and others of her family had gone to Ohio. Amos Cornwall, when twelve years old, was bound out to Daniel White, of Gildersleeve, where he remained until he was twenty-one. After his marriage he went to housekeeping on Rose Hill, where he built a house, now occupied by his youngest son. He was a continuous tiller of the soil until 1863, when he sold out to his son and moved to a house he owned south of his former residence. There he died at the age of seventy-two years. His wife survived him until October 18, 1875, when she died at the age of seventy-four. They were the parents of the following chil- dren : Andrew is mentioned below; Harvey B., a joiner and a farmer, lived on Rose Hill, and died June II, 1889; Charles F. was a joiner and farmer, and lived and died on Rose Hill; and Amos Nelson, a farmer on Rose Hill, was at one time quite an extensive lum- berman. Amos Cornwall was first a Whig, and later a stanch Republican. He was re- spected as an honorable business man, and a loyal citizen. He was a liberal supporter of the Congregational Church, of which he was a member.

(VII) Andrew Cornwall, the father of Demas W., was born January 25, 1822, on Rose Hill, where he received his education in the district school. At the age of thirteen he found employment at East Hampton, and became a hard and incessant worker. He had steady habits, and the characteristics of the man were evident in the boy. On January 20, 1843, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Whit- more, who was born in Chatham. Conn., Oc-

tober 9, 1821, a daughter of Dennis and So- phronia (Strong) Whitmore. Soon after the beginning of his married life, Mr. Cornwall located on a farm belonging to Harry Corn- wall and his sister Jemima, venerable people who were unmarried. The young couple lived with them, took care of them and received their farm as compensation for twenty years' faith ful care. Andrew Cornwall was a thorough farmer, and became quite wealthy. He reared a family of three sons who were a credit to any home and parentage: Henry A., bori November 16, 1843, died September 17, 1898 (A sketch of this member of the family ap pears elsewhere) ; Dwight N. was born Jul. 14, 1851; and Demas W., born April 15 1855, is the subject of this article. Andrew Cornwall was a Republican, served as a se lectman, and for years was on the board o. relief. He was a member of the General As sembly in 1884 and in 1885, where his integ rity, good judgment, and general information made him a desirable member. He was : member of the Congregational Church society and was an active and vigorous worker in tha organization. Active in body and mind, he retained his interest in affairs until his death which occurred July 7, 1894, and he wa buried in Center cemetery. His widow is stil living, and is a most highly respected lady They lived together for over fifty-one years and were both people of much intelligence character and ability.

: Demas Whitmore Cornwall was born 01 the homestead on Rose Hill, where he attende district school for his education. His school ing was continued at Miss Sperry's selec school, and for two years he was in the acad emy at Glastonbury ; he also attended Hannum business college in Hartford. He began lif as a farmer on the family homestead and i 1891 he went to Hartford as a member of the wholesale grocery house of Payne & Corn wall, and in 1895 became a special partner c Potter & Payne.

On April 30, 1879, Demas W. Cornwa was married to Miss Emma M. Payne, daughter of Reuben and Mary (Clark) Payn To this union were born these children: Ar drew Payne, who spent two years at Exete College, and is at present a student in the med cal department of Yale University; Perr Hamlin, a graduate in the class of 1901, Por land high school, and now employed as a civ

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engineer in Middletown ; and Marie Elizabeth, t home. Mr. Cornwall and his wife are mem- ers of the Congregational Church, and he las served as clerk for both church and society. Ie belongs to the Portland Lodge of the A. ). U. W. In politics he is a stanch Republi- an, and has served as tax collector. In 1896 ie built his present residence on Rose Hill. Ie is a well-known and influential citizen of he town. In addition to his other cares and nvestments, he is extensively interested with lis brother, Dwight N., in conducting his fa- her's extensive estate, of which he is executor under the will.

MRS. SARAH E. A. (BEVIN) CHAP- MAN, a well-known and highly esteemed resi- lent of East Hampton, Middlesex county, was born in that place July 1, 1834, the only child of William and Sarah S. ( Parsons) Bevin.

William Bevin was born June 17, 1804, on Bevin Hill, in the town of Chatham, this coun- :y, and was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. When about nineteen years old he began to learn the bell business with William Barton, Sr., with whom he went to Cairo, N. Y., and, after three years, to East- hampton, Conn. He bought the home where his daughter, Mrs. Chapman, now lives, and 1 1832 built the shop opposite. Tread power was used, and in casting the bells the metal was melted by a fire kept going by hand bellows. In time Mr. Bevin taught the business to his brothers, and they established a shop on the

water power. William Bevin retired a short time before his death, which occurred June 16. 1858. He was a man well known in his day, served as selectman, and as representative to the Legislature several times. His political support was given to the Democratic party. He was an active church worker, but did not join because he could not be immersed. Mr. Bevin was a man of fine character, honest and upright in his dealings with all, and very benev- olent and kind to the poor. On November 20. 1828, he was married, in Cairo, N. Y .. by Rev. Mr. Beers, to Sarah S. Parsons, who was born August 9. 1809, and died March 13. 1895. The only child born to this union was Sarah Elizabeth Anna, Mrs. Chapman.

On the maternal side Mrs. Chapman traces her ancestry back to Stephen Piersons, or Par- sons, who was born in the County of Suffolk. England, about 1645. His father died when

he was quite young, and his mother appren- ticed him to a carpenter. He was the founder of the family in the New World. In Strat- ford, Conn., he married Mary Tomlinson, and soon afterward located at Derby, this State. He died in Oxford, May 4, 1739, and his will, dated September 2, 1733, is still preserved. His son removed from Stratford to Derby, be- coming one of the first settlers of the latter place, and owned the property where the First Episcopal Church was built. His son, David Parsons, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Chap- man, took the oath of fidelity and the free- holder's oath September 6, 1777, thus entitling his descendants to be counted among the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution. He was married, October 23, 1766, to Lois Thompson, and they had seven children, whose names and dates of birth were as follows : Sarah, October 23, 1767; David, November 20, 1769 (died January 19, 1770) : David (2), December 29, 1770; Joel, August 29. 1772; Hannah, January 3. 1774; Thompson, Septem- ber 9, 1775; and Truman, February II, 1781.

Truman Parsons was married, January II. 1803, to Elizabeth S. Barlow, who was born October 23, 1784, and died in New York City January 19, 1857. His death occurred May 7. 1828. Their children were as follows: Elec- ta, born January IS, 1804, married Abner H. Richmond, and died February 10, 1863 : Whit- ney Barlow, born July 9, 1805, died on Long Island; Sturges Sanford, born May 3. 1807. died in Brooklyn, N. Y .: Sarah Sanford was the mother of Mrs. Chapman: Joel Balm was born September 14, ISHI : Philo Skidmore was born November 13. 1813: Eunice, born June 1I, 1816, married William R. Hayes : Harriet L., born December 12. 1818. married ( first ) Seth Rockwell, of Michigan, and ( second) Peter V. Lockwood, of New York City: Polls Ann. born May 1. 1821, died May 3. 1822: Calvin Balus, born November 14, 1823, died at the age of fifty-seven years, in March. 1880; and Francis C. L., born July 23. 1826, resides in Ionia county. Michigan.

During her girlhood Mrs. Chapman at- tended the local schools and those at Hebron. and studied music at Salem, Conn. She suc cessfully engaged in teaching music for a time. On April 20, 1852, she was united in marriage with Wickliffe Leopold Markham, son of lliram Markham and grandson of John Mark ham. He was born in the town of Chatham.

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Middlesex county, September 16, 1829, and died of consumption June 23, 1857. On start- ing out in life for himself he learned the butcher's trade, but soon turned his attention to silver plating, at which he worked as long as his health permitted. He left one son, Will- iam W. B., born October 23, 1856, who was for many years town clerk and treasurer of Chatham. He married Eudora B. Baker, and they have two children-Edwin Wickliffe, born November 8, 1885 ; and Mildred P., born August 16, 1888. Mrs. Markham was mar- ried December 17, 1871, to David O. Chap- man, son of David A. and Martha (Coles) Chapman. By this union there was born one daughter, Maud E., April 14, 1875, who was married, April 27, 1897, to Irving H. West, of East Hampton, and has two children, Eliza- beth Virginia and a son not yet named. Mrs. Chapman is an active and consistent member of the Congregational Church, and also be- longs to Belleville Chapter, Order of the East- ern Star. She is widely and favorably known, and has a host of friends in the community where she resides.

FREDERICK JOHN WINTER, who is one of the wide-awake, successful and prosper- ous farmers of Middlesex county, is of English birth, having first beheld the sun at Cookley, in the County of Suffolk. His paternal grand- father, whose name was John, was a farmer throughout his long and active life, which cov- ered a period of nearly ninety years, and was the father of thirteen children, among the elder of whom was Henry, the father of the gentle- man whose life is here chronicled.

Henry Winter was also born in Cookley, where he attended school as a boy, and, as a man, cultivated the same farm his father had tilled before him. He died in consequence of injuries sustained in a runaway, although he lingered for a few years, in badly impaired health after the accident occurred. He mar- ried Mary Webb, a Suffolk county maiden, who was also a native of Cookley, and they had three sons and four daughters, christened : Henry, Frederick John, Mary, Ellen, Sarah, John and Charlotte. Henry married Martha Cornwall, and is living the life of a farmer in Sycamore, Ill. Mary, the third child and eld- est daughter, became Mrs. Charles Taylor, and is yet living in England. Ellen is the wife of Samuel Catt, and still lives with her husband in

their native shire. Sarah, Mrs. Wilson, resides in London, England. John died in the land of his birth, as did also Charlotte, unmarried.

Frederick John Winter was born July 26, 1849. His attendance at the common schools was supplemented by a brief course at Hales- worth Academy, and not long after his school days were ended he turned his face and his steps toward the great metropolis of the Brit- ish empire. There he found employment as a clerk in the extensive dry-goods store of Spen- cer & Turner. His young mind, however, teemed with ideas of emigration. The New World, with its vigorous life and its immense possibilities, beckoned to him, and in 1873 he set sail for the United States on the Cunarder "Almora." The voyage was remarkably tem- pestuous and long, but after twenty-one days he landed at Boston. Thence he immediately proceeded to New York, light of purse but buoyant of heart and strong in resolution, For a few days he sought work in New York, with- out results, when, learning from a friend that Moses Terrill, of Middlefield, Conn., was in need of a farm hand, he resolved to make a personal application for the position, which he succeeded in securing. This was his first intro- duction to the town which was destined to be his future home. For some time he was em- ployed upon the land of Mr. Terrill, and of other farmers in and around Baileyville, but in 1878 he went West to join his brother Henry, who was a farmer at Gray Willow, Kane Co., Ill. He worked for his brother two years, and then returned to Middlefield. He continued to work as a, farm laborer until 1881, when he began farming on his own account, upon prem- ises which he bought two years later, and on which he yet resides. The property ( which he purchased from John Douglas) is commonly known throughout the adjacent country as the "Col. Levi Coe place." There, in addition to general farming, he carries on market garden- ing and dairying. That he has been successful has been due to his own hard work, good judgment and rugged integrity. He is one of those self-made men who are at once the bul- wark and the pride of a rightly constituted community. He is a Republican, but beyond exercising the right of suffrage, takes no active part in politics.

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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 145

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