Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 28

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 28

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LOT DIMOCK VAN SANDS ( deceased) was at one time a inost active and prominent business man and manufacturer of Middletown. Middlesex county, and through his enterprise and self-exertion placed himself and family in independent circumstances.

Mr. Van Sands was born in Stratford, Fair- field Co., Con., February 1. 1804, was edi- cated in the district schools, such as they were in those early years, and was quite young when he began learning the silversmith's trade. While still a young man he came to Middle- town, and was here employed as a repairer by John 1W Smith, a silversmith, and later, in company with Richard Hubbard and others. formed a joint-stock company for manufacture

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ing locks, blind fastenings, etc., the factory be- ing located at Zoar, where the plant of William Wilcox at present stands. Mr. Van Sands soon afterward became sole proprietor of the factory, but later accepted Mr. Wilcox as a partner, and for years they conducted business together. Eventually Mr. Van Sands disposed of his interest to Mr. Wilcox and retired. He continued to reside at Zoar the remainder of his life engaged in looking after his real-estate and other interests until his decease, February 6, 1876, caused by pneumonia. He was buried at Indian Hill cemetery.

Lot D. Van Sands was about six feet high, was broadshouldered and very powerful. He was able to do any kind of work about his fac- tory, and was well posted on all useful subjects, being very fond of reading. In politics a stanch Democrat, he held several town offices, among which were those of selectman and assessor. For many years he was president of the Middletown Savings Bank, was an officer in St. John's Lodge, No. 2, F. & A. M., and served a long time as warden in the Episcopal Church, of which he was a devout member.

Mr. Van Sands married Minerva Camp- bell, a native of Union, Conn., born January 27, 1816. For ten years immediately preced- ing her death, which occurred in Middletown, at the Zoar Homestead, June 22, 1898, this lady was an invalid, but she bore her affliction with Christian fortitude and resignation. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Sands mention will be made in full of Emma, the eldest, in the paragraph which follows. Austin, the second, and William, the third, died young. Clara, the fourth, married Lyman Camp, but died shortly afterward. Frederick, the fifth of the family, lives in the Long Hill District of Middletown, is married to Mary Saunders, and is the father of three children, Leonorah, Carrie and Frederick. Walter, the sixth child, was but six years old when he was drowned. Robert is a graduate of Wes- levan University, class of 1876, and of a law school in Albany, N. Y., is a successful attor- ney at Chicago, Ill., and is married to Alice Greenfield. George, the youngest of the fam- ily, was a manufacturer in Middletown ; he and his wife are now deceased.

Emma Van Sands, alluded to above as the eldest of the eight children born to Lot D. and Minerva (Campbell) Van Sands, was first married. April 26, 1866, to Charles E. Roberts,

son of Abner and Mary S. (Hubbard) Rob- erts, of whom a biography is given elsewhere. To this union were born two children : Charles W., of whom fuller mention will be made; and Susie M., who died at the age of nineteen years. Charles E. Roberts was a butcher by trade, and was doing a very successful busi- ness in that line at South Farms at the time of his decease, March, 1889. Mrs. Emma Roberts was married June 5, 1890, to Eugene Francis Roberts, a brother of Charles E .; no children have been born to this union.

CHARLES W. ROBERTS was joined in wed- lock November 3, 1892, with Martha Wilson, who was born in Beith, Scotland, June 25, 1869, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth ( Petti- grew ) Wilson. The Wilson family came to the United States in May, 1889, and Robert Wilson is now a respected citizen of South Farms. Six children have crowned the union of Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Roberts; Susie M., born August 14, 1893 ; Abner H., Novem- ber 1, 1894; Charles K., April 26, 1896; Ag- nes M., May 31, 1898; Francis E., February 24, 1900, and Byron, July 15, 1901. Mr. Roberts is a member of the Middletown Grange and he and his family attend the Methodist Church.

HON. DAVID WARD NORTHROP, lawyer, ex-secretary of State of Connecticut, ex-postmaster at Middletown, Middlesex coun- ty, etc., is a worthy member of a worthy family that for generations has ranked among the best citizens of that section.

Mr. Northrop is in the seventh generation in descent from Joseph Northrup, the progeni- tor of the American family, the line of his descent being through William, Thomas, Thomas (2), David and David (2).

(I) Joseph Northrup, born in England (probably Yorkshire), was one of the first set- tlers of Milford, Conn., where he united with the church January 9, 1642. Some of the first settlers of Milford came with Eaton and Da- venport from England in 1637, while others came with Sir Richard Saltonstall's company from Egerton, Yorkshire, England, to Water- town, Mass., thence to Wethersfield, Conn., then to Milford. Francis Norton, the father of Mary, who married Joseph Northrup, came with the latter party.

(TI) William Northrup, son of the emi- grant, was born in 1666.

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(III) Thomas Northrup, son of William, ived at Newtown, whither he went in the early settlement of that town, his name being of record there in 1712, along with those of his cousins, who had land allotted to them! and went thither that year. They were prominent nen in public affairs. Thomas Northrup mar- ried Abigail Terrill, of Newtown. After her leath, and after their children were married ind settled, Thomas lived with his son at Mil- Ford, Connecticut.

(IV) Thomas Northrup (2), son of Thomas, when a young man settled in the own of New Fairfield (now Sherman), Conn. He married Joanna Leach, of the same town.

(V) Hon. David Northrop, son of Thomas (2), born in 1758, in Sherman, married (first) Rebecca, daughter of Nehemiah Beardsley, of Scottish origin. She died, and he married (second) a sister of his first wife. The chil- Iren born to the first union were: Sally, Jo- inna and Rebecca, and those of the second vere : Nehemiah B., Thomas, David, Ezra G., saac and John O. The father of these children became a prominent man of the town, exten- ively engaged in stock dealing and farming. He served in various official capacities, among hem as representative of the town in the State Legislature in 1810.

(VI) Hon. David Northrop (2), son of David, and the father of Hon. David Ward Northrop, of Middletown, was a native of Sherman, Conn., born in 1798, and became a nan of prominence in the town. A Demo- rat in politics, he served as representative n the State Legislature in 1835. He held nany local offices in Sherman, and was judge vf probate, which position he resigned when he emoved to Middletown, in 1864. He died here in 1873, and was buried in Pine Grove emetery. While residing in Sherman he was ne of the leading men in the Methodist Church. aking an active interest in the same and con- ributing liberally of his means toward its upport. During his earlier years he carried n mercantile business, later was a farmer, nd after coming to Middletown, lived a quiet, etired life. Of his brothers and sisters all re now deceased, and mention may be made f the following: Thomas, who lived to be early one hundred years old, died in Burling- on, Vt. John O. lived to be over ninety years Id (his only son, John E., was for some years

treasurer of the well-known firm of The Com- stock, Cheney & Co., at Ivoryton, Conn., and his wife was a daughter of S. M. Comstock, the founder of that business). David North- rop was twice married, the first time to Adaline Fuller, of Sherman, Conn., who bore him one daughter, Selina, who died young. Mr. North- rop's second wife, whom he married in 1843, was Clarissa L. Ward, who was born in Shef- field, Mass., daughter of John and Lucretia (Rogers) Ward, and three children were born to this union: David Ward, our subject, a daughter that died in infancy ; and Miss Esther M., residing in Middletown.

(VII) Hon. D. Ward Northrop was born February 19, 1844, in Sherman, Conn., and at the district school of the place received his elementary education. He also attended a se- lect school in Sherman, at a time when one of the teachers was Charles B. Andrews, who afterward became governor of Connecticut, and later chief justice. Mr. Northrop was pre- pared for college at Amenia (N. Y.) Semi- nary, and in 1868 was graduated with honors from Wesleyan University, Middletown. Dur- ing his college years he taught two terms in Wilbraham Academy, and for a time after graduation ( 1868-69) also in Fort Edward (N. Y.) Institute. In the spring of 1870 he was graduated from: Albany (N. Y.) Law School, and the same year was admitted to the Bar of Middlesex county. A stanch Democrat in politics, he was for several years a member of the Democratic State Central Committee. In 1873 he was elected probate judge, and served in that capacity until 1881, declining re-election. In 1871 and 1881-82 he served in the Legislature, and came to be recognized as the Democratic leader of the House. During the session of 1871 he was chairman of the School Fund committee, and in 1881 and 1882 he was a member of the Judiciary committee. and chairman of the committee on Engrossed Bills. In 1883-84 Mr. Northrop served as secretary of the State of Connecticut, and was appointed State auditor for the years 1891-92. and again in 1897, for four years. He was also delegate from Middletown in the Consti- tutional Convention of 1902. In municipal af- fairs Mr. Northrop has also been highly hon- ored, having been elected a member of the common council, member and secretary of the board of education, town attorney and assistant

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clerk of the courts. In 1884-85 he served as mayor of Middletown and from 1886 to 1890 he was postmaster of that city, receiving his appointment from President Cleveland. In social, fraternal and business relationships he stands high, and among the many concerns of which he is a member or with which he is otherwise identified, may be men- tioned. the board of trustees of Wesleyan Uni- versity and its executive committee, of which he is. a member; the Psi Upsilon Chapter, lo- cated. in Middletown, he having continued his interest in the fraternity since he left college (he rendered much assistance in the erection and maintenance of the chapter house on High street ) ; and the Middletown Electric Light Company, which he organized, and of which he has been president since its organization. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church in Middletown, and he was trustee of the same for several years. The family resi- dence, built by him in 1875, is situated on Church street.

In September, 1870, Mr. Northrop mar- ried Miss Mary A. Stewart, of. Manchester, Vt., daughter of Rev. H. W. and Almira ( Roberts ) Stewart, the former of whom was a minister of the Methodist Church. Five chil- dren have been born to this union, of whom four are living : Clara Louise, now the wife of Dr. Charles S. Ingham, Yale 1891, a professor of Latin, who comes from a prominent Saybrook family ; Mary, who recent- ly married Arthur H. Burdick, Wesleyan, 1899; Harold Stewart, who is now in business at Great Barrington, Mass. ; and Richard Da- vid, a high school junior.

Mrs. Northrop was born in Jay, Essex Co., N. Y., and from the age of ten years was reared in Manchester, Vt., where she made her home with her mother's sister. She is a niece of Daniel Roberts, formerly of Burlington, Vt.,. in his day one of the noted lawyers of that State, and whose son is now mayor of Burling- ton. For a time previous to her marriage, Mrs. Northrop was a teacher in a ladies' semi- nary in Kentucky. She is very prominent in D. A. R. circles, and established the first chap- ter of that order in Connecticut ( Wadsworth Chapter, Middletown), becoming its first re- gent. She has been president of the Middle- sex County Orphans' Home for many years. In 1895, by appointment of Gov. Coffin, she. served as one of the Connecticut commission-

ers to the Cotton States Exposition at Atlanta, Ga. Mrs. Northrop has done some literary work of merit, especially in historical lines.

DANIEL WETMORE CAMP (de-

ceased) was one of the best known business men of the last generation in Middletown, Middlesex county, and a gentleman of the old school in every respect. Familiar with all the intricacies of business, he had a keen eye for results, and his advice was often asked con- cerning business ventures. He did much busi- ness for others, settled estates, and transacted many important enterprises without a bond, and never was a cent lost through him. Sel- dom is found one in whom there rests such universal confidence. He was honorable and upright in all his dealings, and made many friends.

Mr. Camp was born January 27, 1813, in Middletown, son of Daniel W. and Lydia (Frothingham) Camp. The father died at Norfolk, Va., when Daniel W. was but a lad of eight years. The widowed mother returned to Middletown with her family, and located where Daniel W. Camp had his home, and where his widow now lives, on South Main street. Of the children of Daniel W. and Lydia Camp, the only one now living is the youngest, Elizabeth, widow of E. R. Jewett, who makes her home at Sandusky, Ohio. An- gelina married a Mr. Arnold, and left a family, all of whom live in the West. Abigail married three times, her last husband being Mr. Ar- nold, who married her eldest sister; she left two children by her first husband, Mr. Coan, Emma (Mrs. George Anderson) and Jane (who is single), and they lost one daughter, Louisa, who died when not quite twenty years old. Samuel Frothingham, the grandfather of Daniel W., into whose home Mrs. Camp and her children were received after the death of her husband, was a manufacturer of woolen goods, and one of the leading men of his day in Middletown.

Daniel Wetmore Camp attended the Mid- dletown public school until he was twelve years old. Then he went to work, at fifty cents a week, and made a good name for himself as a steady and reliable 'boy. He studied alone, and when quite young was far enough ad- vanced to assist his brother-in-law, Mr. Coan, in his Lancasterian school in Middletown. When he was somewhat older he became a

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:lerk for E. & S. Stearns, dealers in hats, caps, boots and shoes, at the corner of Main and Court streets, Middletown. There, as else- where, he was faithful and attentive, and when he firm started a branch store the young man vas selected to take charge of it. When this business had become developed he bought it n company with Charles W. Newton, form- ng the firm of Camp & Newton. They re- nained together some years, and built up a usiness second to none in the community. n 1855 the position of assistant treasurer yf the Middletown Savings Bank was offered o Mr. Camp, which he accepted, maintaining he store, however, until the death of Mr. Newton. After that he disposed of the estab- shment to Henry Ward and Henry Rutty, nd it is still in the hands of Mr. Ward. Mr. Camp displayed such banking ability that in year after his entrance into the bank he was jade treasurer, succeeding Mr. Carrington, nd held this position until his death, July 26, 877. Mr. Camp was treasurer of the Wes- yan University for many years, and also casurer of the city school fund. He was ected State treasurer of Connecticut, hold- ig that office in 1854 and 1855.

Mr. Camp and Miss Laura Newton were arried in Middletown, and to their union ere born: Fanny, who died in childhood, om accidental burning; and Mary E., Mrs. ohn W. Hoyt, of Springfield, Mass., the other of Frank C. and Alice. Mrs. Camp ying, Mr. Camp married Miss Sarah W. obey, in Middletown, October 8, 1857. She as born in Springfield, Mass., October 13, 326, daughter of Joseph and Eliza ( Walk- y) Tobey, of Springfield, the former of hom was born in Philadelphia, son of Elisha obey, who removed to Springfield when Jo- ph was but a child. Joseph Tobey was a y-goods merchant for years, and died in ringfield in 1861. He was the father of five ildren who grew to adult age: Sarah W., rs. Daniel W. Camp; Jane, wife of Dr. orge W. Burke, of Middletown; Ellen W., rs. Cutts, of New Rochelle, N. Y. ; Joseph D., who was killed at Petersburg, Va., No- mber 7. 1864, while serving as a member Company K, First Connecticut Heavy Ar- - ery (he was unmarried) ; and Frank, who led in Middletown, and left a widow and fee children, Louise, Edward C. and Harold. To Daniel W. and Sarah W. Camp were

born two children: Daniel W., adjuster of the Middlesex Assurance Company, married Miss Mary J. Griswold, of Portland, and has one son, Daniel W., Jr. Sarah Ellen, Mrs. W. B. Douglass, of Middletown, has one son, Wallace.

Mr. Camp was a Republican in politics, originally a Whig. He was not a politician, and declined various nominations to local positions, preferring to keep close to the line of his busi- ness. He held many trusts, and his advice was frequently asked. He was a man of kind heart and generous impulses, and often did favors to others that proved of great value to them, without a penny of compensation.

During his many years of service as treasurer of Wesleyan University he never took a cent of salary, simply turning the money over to the incidental fund; he took much interest in that school and was a trustee for years. He was a leading member of the Methodist Church, and served many years as trustee, and also as steward, and treasurer. His widow, who re- sides in the elegant home on South Main ¡street, is a lady of refinement. She takes no little interest in charitable works, her kindli- ness and desire to do good being her marked characteristics. Mrs. Camp is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of the Ladies' Societies auxiliary to the church.

GEN. FREDERICK E. CAMP. late a citi- zen of Middletown, Middlesex county. a sol- dier of distinction in the Civil war, and subse- quently prominent in the military affairs of Connecticut, was born in the village of Dur- ham. Middlesex county, the son of John Spen- cer and Parnel Camp.

In his youth Frederick E. Camp came to Middletown and began a business career, which was broken in the summer of 1862 by his en- listment in the Twenty-fourth Connecticut Vol- unteer Infantry. He was chosen lieutenant of Company F. At the siege of Port Hudson he was wounded, but continued with his command until he was mastered out of the service, in September, 1863. In November of that year he was promoted from captain to major of the Twenty-ninth Connecticut Volunteer Infant- ry, which regiment was assigned to the Ninth Corps, and served in South Carolina from April to August, 1864, when it was ordered to Virginia and assigned to Birney's Brigade. Tenth Corps. The regiment was in active serv-

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ice in front of Petersburg, and did its full share of the watching and fighting. In January, 1865, Major Camp was appointed lieutenant- colonel of the Twenty-ninth Regiment United States Colored Infantry, and remained with the command, doing duty in Virginia, until the end of the war, when with other troops the regiment was ordered to the Rio Grande. The regiment was mustered out of the service in November, 1865, and in the following Febru- ary Col. Camp was appointed a lieutenant in the Fourteenth United States Infantry. For the next three years he served with his regi- mient in what was then the comparatively un- known region of Arizona. He remained in the service until 1875, when he resigned, having reached the rank of captain. In 1876 he was elected captain of Company H, Second Regi- ment, Connecticut State Troops, and subse- quently served as adjutant of the regiment. During the administration of Gov. Bigelow he. served as paymaster-general, and as adjutant- general under Gov. Lounsbury. At the time of his death, on October 8, 1891, he was treasurer of the State Board of Pardons, and secretary and treasurer of the Middletown Gas Light Company. Gen. Camp was a member of Mans- field Post, G. A. R. For several years he was chairman of the board for examination of offi- cers for the State Guard. And indeed, from the hour of his entry into the service until his death, he never lost his interest in military af- fairs. As an officer Gen. Camp was noted for his care and kindness toward his men, by whom, though a strict disciplinarian, he was greatly admired and liked. In private life he was greatly beloved. He was fond of social gatherings and greatly enjoyed evenings passed in the company of his friends, among whom, with his handsome figure and never- failing cheerfulness, he was a great favorite.

LUTHER SAVAGE SMITH, one of the oldest living citizens in Cromwell, Middlesex county, still keeps his faculties remarkably clear, and his advice is frequently asked by his business associates.

The Smith family, an old one in Middle- sex county, was at one time very numerous in the town of Haddam, and its various repre- sentatives have intermarried with the old fami- lies of this part of the State. Abner Smith, grandfather of Luther S., was born December 28, 1728, in Haddam, and became an early

settler of West Cromwell, where he was exten- sively engaged in farming. Deborah Brainard, his first wife, was born in Haddam, and was a descendant of one of the leading families of the county. By this union he became the fa- ther of eleven children. By his second wife, Amanda Hascal, were born two children. When eighty-three years old Abner Smith married Jerusha Rash, and brought his wife to the home of his son, John B. Smith, amid great festivities.

John B. Smith, the father of Luther Sav- age, was born and reared in West Cromwell, where he had the privileges of the district. school. After reaching manhood he peddled goods through the south for six years, and after this experience became a farmer and a. cattle drover, buying cattle in Connecticut and New England for the West Indies' markets. He was an active and hustling man, and re- turned from the West Indies with cargoes of rum, molasses and sugar, which he would dis -- pose of to the local merchants at a good profit. He would ship horses, all prepared for the- West Indies, sheep, cattle, chickens, on vessels which would sail and return from Cromwell. In much of this work he acted as the purchas- ing agent for the Allsops of Middletown. He was a capable judge of stock, a shrewd buyer- and a man of high integrity. Quite success- ful in his business dealings and enterprises, he left a considerable property. Through his connection with the State militia he was known as Capt. Smith. He married Fannie Pardee, of Kensington, in the town of Berlin, Hartford. Co., Conn., who died at the age of seventy- six years. She was a daughter of Daniel Pardee, who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and for many years received a pension on account of his services in that great struggle. Capt. Smith lived to be eighty-three- years old. He and his wife had a family of twelve children: ( I) Luther Savage was born June 4, 1815. (2) Elizabeth, born May 8,. 1817, died in Hartford, January 17, 1902. She- was married three times, to Ralph Wilcox, a Mr. Hart, and Caleb Griswold, respectively. (3) John Henry, born April 8, 1819, is still' living; he was twice married, first to Delia Goodrich, and then to Annie Roberts. (4) Lucetta S., born February 8, 1823, married Abel Lewis, of Portland, and is still living. (5) Jane, born May 2, 1825, married John Russell, and lives in Middletown. (6) Charles.

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7., born April 28, 1827, married Martha Gris- vold, and is supposed to be living in Indian Territory. (7) Dennis H., born September '5, 1829, married Jane Crossby, and is living n Nebraska. (8) George W., born in 1831, married Jennie - ---- , and is living in Mid- lletown. (9) Matthew H., born in 1833, mar- ied Ella Lincoln, and died at the age of fifty- ive years. (10) Amelia, born in 1835, mar- ied a Mr. Adams, of Hartford, and is yet iving. (II) Adeline, born in 1838, married oren Barnes, and is a resident of Hartford. 12) Mary, born in 1842, married a Mr. -yons, and lived in Hartford, where he died 1 1899. She is still living.

Luther Savage Smith was born June 4, 815, in a house in West Cromwell which is still tanding, and received his education in the istrict school. At that time there were no toves, and the schoolroom was heated from large open fireplace on the north side of the com, the smaller pupils sitting near the fire- lace, and the older ones back in the room ; Ir. Smith says at times his "brogans were rozen to his feet." Writing was done with quill pen. When Luther S. Smith was a tudent the course consisted of reading, writ- 1g, spelling, arithmetic, and "geography, a pecial study and somewhat exclusive." At mes there were as many as sixty-five scholars, nd the teacher received the munificent salary f ten dollars a month, "boarded 'round" the istrict, and built his own fires. School was ismissed for the week on Saturday noon. Three months in the winter of each year our ibject went to school, making his way rough the woods for a mile and a half from is home. The snow was sometimes very ep, almost up to his neck, and, being the lest, he many times had to make a path for. is younger brothers and sisters through the ep snow, on their way to school. He wore boots, which belonged in those times only the more aristocratic. His foot attire was rogans." and it was not until he reached the ge of seventeen that he attained the dignity his first pair of boots. When he was a boy ere were only two houses in sight from his trents' home. In one dwelt Appleton Stevens ith a family of thirteen children ; and in the her Samuel Kirby was rearing eleven chil- 'en. In the Smith family were twelve chil- 'en. At the close of 1899, of these thirty-six ildren the Stevens and Kirbys were all de-

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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 28

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