Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 38

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

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

trt until 1836, when he erected the soap aubry in Sumner street which is a part of hepresent structure. In 1856 he quit the of business, and for a number of years con- und a grocery near the old factory. He eted from business a few years before his e: 1. On October 27, 1833, Mr. Allison was nalied to Miss Frances Pilgrim, born Sep- enter 18, 1812, in Lyme, Conn., the daugh- er f a sailmaker. Her father came to this ot :ry from England early in life, was a oler in the Revolutionary army, and drew pasion as such. Mr. and Mrs. Allison had hilren as follows: (I) Samuel J., born in 83 became a member of the firm of Allison irdiers, and continued with same until his ea February 10, 1892. He was a resident f Wisconsin for three years, but with that xc tion made Middletown his home for life. lisvidow, formerly Miss Anna Daniels, and children, survive him. (2) Charles P., in 1835, married Delia Alford. He is or f: ner, residing at Lodi, Cal. (3) Abel C. nationed below. (4) Gertrude, born April 341, died October 1, 1841. (5) Frances

٫ ١٠ rn in 1842, lives in South Farms. (6) er ude E., born in 1846, is the wife of Ma- John C. Broatch, of Middletown. (7) lic J., born in 1848, is Mrs. F. J. Robbins, f I rson, Cal. (8) William J., born in 1851, mani ed Lillian Alford and resides at South ar s. (9) Fred, born in 1853, married .at rine Greenfield and resides at Burson, al. (10) Earnest B., born in 1856, married DS Brooks, and resides at South Farms. an el S. Allison, the father, died March 18, 88 and his wife passed away March 17, 88 They are buried in Mortimer ceme-

Ty In his political affiliations he was a an Democrat, and had served on the com- mon ouncil, and was at one time assessor of lidetown. A Universalist in religious be- e was one of the pioneers of that faith ef,

11 i city, and was a liberal contributor to is furch. Socially he was an Odd Fellow. let s a well known citizen, and was regarded of the leading men of the place.

el C. Allison was born July 31. 1836, use at the corner of Summer and South red. Middletown. He attended the high ho and later the private school of Daniel 1.1 ase. Leaving school at the age of six-

e was for two years a clerk in the Cen- ational Bank, and later was for some

time a bookkeeper for Jedediah Wilcox & Co., at Meriden. In 1856 the firm of Allison Brothers was formed, which continues to. the present time. For some ten or fifteen years our subject traveled over New! England, where the product of the factory was sold, and built up an extensive trade.

In 1858 Mr. Allison married Frances M. Woodworth, who was born in Plainfield, one of the four daughters of Thomas B. and Fran- ces ( Pryor) Woodworth. When she was but an infant her parents removed to Middle- town, where she was reared. Thomas B. Woodworth was superintendent of the Russell Company's plant at South Farms. To Mr. and Mrs. Allison came the following children : Fannie Woodworth, at home; Nellie Chapman, who graduated from the Middletown high school ; Gertrude Emily, also a graduate of the local high school; Edith Lillian, now' Mrs. F. H. Frissell, of South Farms; and Florence M. a graduate of the Middletown high school, later a successful teacher, and now M'rs. Wal- ter P. Reed, of this city, and the mother of one child, Russell A. The family attend the South Congregational Church. Politically Mr. Allison is a Republican. He voted first for Stephen A. Douglas, and then for Abra- ham Lincoln. Fraternally he is a Mason, be- longing to St. John's Lodge, Washington Chapter and Cyrene Commandery He is a public-spirited citizen, a practical man, active in all local improvements, and has been a di- rector of the Middletown street railway ever since it started. He has reared a family of whom any parent might be proud. As a man of progressive ideas and of unquestioned in- tegrity he is a high type of American citi- zenship.

GILES A. BUSHNELL. In 1638 six brothers of the name of Bushmell left England on account of religious persecutions, and set- tled in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, four of them moving about 1648 to Guilford, Conn. One brother returned to England. Three. Francis, William and Richard, moved into Saybrook, where they followed the trade coml- mon to the six, that of carpentering, and from them the Bushmells in Connecticut are all de- scended.

William Bushnell and his wife had the fol- lowing children : Josiah (born in 1044). Sanmel, Rebecca, William, Frances, Stephen

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and Thomas (twins), Judith, and Abigail (who was born in 1659). 1

Francis Bushnell, the ancestor of many of the name in Middlesex county, was a man of note in the old days, and a deacon of the local church. He died in Saybrook in 1681, at the age of eighty-two years. He had two sons, John and Samuel, and five daughters, of whom Elizabeth married William Johnson, of Guil- ford. Samuel married Ruth Sanford, and had Nathaniel, David (or Daniel) and Samuel.

John Bushnell, the second son of Francis, died when yet a young man. He married Sarah Scranton, of Guilford, and they had children : John (mentioned below!), Sarah, Hannah, Mary and Elizabeth.

John Bushnell, son of John, married Re- becca Cole, a native of Hartford. To this union were born seven sons and two daughters. John, the second son, was the progenitor of the present Bushnell' family of Saybrook. Francis, the third son, married and was the father of two sons and seven daughters; he died in 1794, at the age of ninety-two years. Benjamin, the sixth son, married and had three sons and one daughter ; he died in 1781, at the age of seventy-eight years. Only his son Fran- cis married and reared a family.

John Bushnell, noted in the last family, was married in 1724 to Catherine Kelsey, of Killingworth, who died in 1767, at the age of seventy-four years. She was a daughter of Daniel and Jane (Chalker) Kelsey, and a granddaughter of Alexander Chalker, of Say- brook. John Bushnell, who died in 1738, at the age of forty-two, had two sons: John, who died young; and Ira, the great-grandfa- ther of Giles A. Bushnell.

Ira Bushnell married Patience Bushnell, a daughter of Samuel Bushnell, and became the father of the following named children: Cath- erine, born August II, 1751, who married Asa Kirtland; John, who married Lydia Chapman; Patience, who married Joseph Bushnell ; Han- nah, who married Samuel W. Gladding; Ira; Eunice, who married Martin Kirtland; and Augustus, who died in infancy. In 1765 Ira Bushnell married, for his second wife, Mabel, daughter of Benjamin Chapman, and to this union were born three children, Augustus, Richard and Mabel. In 1791. Ira Bushnell made certain notes from which it appears that "about the year 1662 Deacon Francis Bush- nell builded the mill that I now own. It hath

been in the possession of several of his pos ity ever since." "Deacon Francis Bush died December 4, 1681, aged eighty-two. brother Richard moved to Norwich soon a that town was settled."

Augustus Bushnell, the grandfather f Giles A., was born July 6, 1766, and died I ruary 21, 1852. When he was thirty years old he married Ethelinda, daughter of Eze 1 Jones, and to them were given a numer family: (I) Ethelinda, born in 1796, n ried David Hays, and died in 1880. Mabel married John Shipman. (3) Elizab born in 1801, died in 1849. (4) Augus born in 1804, died in infancy. (5) Lavi born in 1806, married Jones Pratt, and ( in 1849. (6) Ann Augusta, born in I.p), married Horatio Pratt, and died in 1899, air fifty-six years of widowhood. (7) Augus (2), born September 30, 1812, died in M :- 1890. (8) Jackson Jones, born in 1813, od at Beloit, Wis., where for many years he id been a college professor. Augustus Bush 1, the father, was a farmer, and also follo d fishing and the butcher business at diffe lit periods. His entire life was passed in e village of Old Saybrook, where he was b 1, and where his upright character command the respect of the community. In politicspe was a Democrat.

Augustus Bushnell, the father of Ges A., was born in Saybrook, where he acqu d all his education. When a young mandie moved to Westbrook, where he married El a Kirtland, who died January 17, 1854, at fie age of forty-four years. The following (1- dren came to bless this marriage: (I.) Ces Augustus was born August 24, 1839. )

¡n Ann Electa, born February 23, 1843, die 1896. (3) Jackson J., born January 12, I. is a merchant at Deep River. (4) Eliza th Gertrude, born April 2, 1849, married Hoy Stokes, of Westbrook, and died April ( 3,

1892. 'Augustus Bushnell was married i)- vember 8, 1854, to Nancy M. Bushnell, id to them one son, John Augustus, was ljn February 2, 1857. He is now a shoe deer in Saybrook.

Mr. Bushnell was a man of prominenc in his native town, tnd took much interest il movements intended for its advancement. many years he was a merchant in Westbr k removing to Saybrook in 1866, and openin a

shoe store, which he very successfully cond:

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ed or many years until his death. The busi- is now in the hands of his youngest son, Jc1 A. About the time the old parties were br king up, and the Republican party was fohned, Mr. Bushnell had been voting with the Fi: Soilers, and he promptly joined in the ne in he movement. In his later years, however, iad a feeling that more good was to be i galed by working with the Prohibition move- r mt. Mr. Bushnell at different periods of his I lif served as clerk of the town, judge of pro- and State senator, also filling various E to' offices. A. deacon of the Congregational : Clrch, he was an active worker at the time . heime to Saybrook.

Giles Augustus Bushnell, whose name in- uces this article, was the eldest child in ather's family. He obtained his education

m trc his in (e schools of his native town of Westbrook,

an in the local academy, and at the age of thi een years entered his father's store to ob-

tai a broad and deep knowledge of business frci one well qualified to impart knowledge. W ty- ce1

flo and feed, and is recognized as the lead- ing nerchant in this part of the county. Hc is alirector in the Deep River National Bank, s known in the community as a solid and reli le business man of good judgment and I integrity.

1 politics Mr. Bushnell is a stanch Re- can, though he has been too much devoted 10 s business to accept official station, ex- cep ig the office of town treasurer and treas- of the deposit funds, which positions he lias eld for ten years. In the Legislature of 18G he represented the town, and served on the

ommittee 011 Cities and Boroughs. Mr. Dell and his family are members of the Bu

Congregational Church, where he is a member also of the board of trustees.

Giles A. Bushnell married Ellen M. Red- field, a daughter of Deacon William and Den- sey (Chittenden) Redfield, and to this union was given one son, William Redfield, born March 31, 1866.

WILLIAM REDFIELD BUSHNELL was born in the town of Essex and secured his education very largely in a school for boys and young men taught by Rev. P. L. Shepard, at Old Saybrook, and in the Morgan school, at Clinton. When he grew to manhood he was speedily pushed to the front, and proved an active and useful member of the communi- ty. Since January, 1896, he has served as town clerk and registrar, and is discharging the duties of the position in a manner calcu- lated to increase his own good name as well as to satisfy the needs of the community. Mr. Bushnell has a considerable fire insurance in- terest, representing among other companies the Middlesex Mutual, the Royal, the Philadelphia Fire and Ætna Insurance companies. At the present time he is taking a very active part in the store, and is manifesting much mercantile ability. Mr. Bushnell in religion follows in the footsteps of his fathers and is a devout member of the First Congregational Church of Saybrook, was chairman of the board of trustees, and has been president of the Y. P. S. C. E., giving to that work not a little time and enthusiasm.

The Bushnell family through its various generations has had many representatives of unusual mechanical skill. David Bushnell, who was a graduate from Yale in 1775, became the inventor of the "American Turtle," a device for annoying the British vessels which often came close to the shores of Connecticut during the Revolutionary war. As early as 1776 he was requested to appear before the General Court to explain his ideas as to blowing up hos- tile vessels. He was authorized to make a ma- chine, which he did at the Sill homestead, in the north part of the town. While he was engaged in this work it is noted that he oc- cupied the blue bedroom in this house.

SAMUEL STEARNS, SR., one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Middletown. lived to the advanced age of nearly ninety-two years, and was, at the time of his death,

n the young man reached the age of twen- ree years, in company with D. W. Spen- he opened a general store at Centerbrook, wth they conducted for about three years, Mı Bushnell at the end of that time disposing of 's interest to Mr. Spencer, and opening a geral store in a building in Saybrook which hava special interest to the young merchant as place where his father had clerked when a ly. In this enterprise he met with large sucess, so great that he soon purchased the bui ing and added to it, increasing his stock fro time to time as the exigencies of business seeled to require. In addition to general me handise Mr. Bushnell carries a stock of

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

March 7, 1892, the eldest resident of that city.

Mr. Stearns came from good American stock, as both his grandfathers fought in the war of the Revolution, and were injured there- in. Samuel Stearns was born August 20, 1800, in the State of Massachusetts, and came to Middletown, Middlesex Co., Conn., when comparatively a young man, establishing the prosperous business which is still carried on by his son at the corner of Main and Court streets. There he lived for sixty years, hon- ored and respected. Being a gentleman of many parts and genial courtesy, he became a favorite of the people, and was successful with his brother in the business they jointly con- ducted. Many years ago he retired from! ac- tive pursuits, and afterward led a quiet, re- tired and gentlemanly life, well known on the streets, with pleasant words for all. Through- out life he was interested in many of the move- ments that aided in building up the interests of the city and town. In views theological he was broad, and he was one of the pioneer mem- bers of the Universalist Church. In politics he was a genuine Democrat, and his knowl- edge, extending as it did over such a length of time, enabled him to speak by the card re- specting political movements of the last seven decades with clearness and ability, and to give substantial reasons for the political and other faith he maintained. Some years prior to his death he made a journey to Europe, and saw the principal sights, and when he was in a communicative humor it was pleasing to listen to his descriptions of what he had seen and how he had made his way into places forbidden to tourists generally. Not to known Samuel Stearns, as he was seen daily on the streets, and not to have conversed with him, was to be in Middletown comparatively unknown. Ail the children knew him, and his friends were legion. His greetings, as he daily took his constitutional walks, were always pleasant and accompanied with smiles. He had his regular places of calling, where he told his stories and compared the past with the present, noting par- ticularly what Middletown was like three- quarters of a century ago, and how he had lived to see fine buildings reared and prog- res's indicated by population where formerly there were only cow-paths. The editor of the Sentinel and Witness said of him, on August 20, 1891, "Samuel Stearns, Sr., passed the

ninety-first anniversary of his birthday. H was walking around the streets nimbly as youth, inviting his friends to call at his hom where a reception will be held in honor ( his ninety-first birthday. He was congratı lated by everybody who grasped his hand."

Samuel Stearns was twice married, his fir wife being Esther Oliver. Of their childre Mary E., who married Charles R. Hurlbur died in November, 1899, in Middletown. T his second union with Sarah Cook, of Middle town, camje eight children: Samuel, Jr., ( Middletown ; Harriet, who died in Middletow unmarried; Augustus C., who died in Middk town, unmarried ; Henry O., a merchant, wł died in Middletown; and four children, wł died young. Mr. Stearns was a member of th I. O. O. F. His remains rest in Indian Hi cemetery.

WILLIAM MYLCHREEST' is one ( the leading contractors and builders of his se tion of Connecticut with headquarters at Mi dletown, Middlesex county, in which city ar vicinity many buildings erected in the pa twenty years attest his skill and workmanshi

| Born in Kirk German, Isle of Man, Ai gust 8, 1842, Mr. Mylchreest is a son of Will iam and Catherine (Davidson) Mylchrees the former of whom was a member of a ver old Manx family, one of the first seven fam lies to locate in the Isle of Man. John My chreest, grandfather of William, was twi( married, and by his first wife had two chi dren, William and Jane, the latter of who. died unmarried; by his second wife he had 1. children.

William Mylchreest, father of the gentl man whose name introduces this sketch, w: born in the Isle of Man, and there followe the business of contractor, building many ( the engine houses for the numerous mines that country. He lived to about the age ( sixty years. His wife, Catherine (Davidson who was also a native of the Isle of Man, live to the advanced age of seventy-five years. brief record of their family of fourteen ch: dren, including one pair of twins, is as follow (I) Annie married David Little and died Ishpeming, Mich. (2) William is mention below. (3) John, who was a superintende on the Welland Canal, in Canada, died in 188 and was buried in Fonthill cemetery, We and, Ontario, Canada. (4) Jane is Mrs. Phill

William Thylehrees .

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

rellin, of the Isle of Man. (5) David Har- s, who lives at Niagara Falls, Canada, is a ontractor by occupation, and for eleven years as in the employ of the Canadian Govern- tent, as superintendent of Government docks 1 the Pacific coast and along the St. awrence river, and at the large power buse and tunnel at Niagara Falls, N. (6) James lived in Chicago for a me, and then returned to England, now re- ding at Halifax, Yorkshire. (7) Philip came the United States, but after a while returned the Isle of Man, and died there in 1888, 3) Evan and (9) Henry were twins. The Armer was superintendent of masonry on the mult Ste. Marie canal, Michigan, and died "the Sault" in 1893; he is buried in Fair- ew cemetery, Niagara Falls, Canada. He ft no children. Henry lives in Liverpool, ngland, and has been in the police service bout thirty years. (10) Catherine, is Mrs. hn Crane, of the Isle of Man. ( II ) Robert, ho lives at Niagara Falls, N. Y., has been as- ciated with his brothers in contract work and her business. (12) Richard, who lives at iagara Falls, Canada, has superintended the mstruction of some of the largest factories d dams in this country, and some of the rgest factories in North Adams, Mass. His ife died July 22, 1902. (13) Elizabeth, who unmarried, lives in the old homestead on the le of Man. (4) Mary Isabella, also un- arried, lives on the Isle of Man.

William Mylchreest received a good com- m-school education at the place of his na- ity, attending up to the age of fourteen ars. When twenty-two years old he went Liverpool, England, from there shortly af- ward proceeding to Halifax, Yorkshire, here he took a course of studies in draught- g and geometry at a night school. Before tving home he learned the trade of mason der his father, and during his residence in ilifax worked at that trade during the day, night attending school, as above stated. ter a thirce-years residence in that city he urned to the Isle of Man, and shortly after marriage there came to America, embark- y on the "Australasia," of the Cunard line. lichi vessel after a voyage of eight days and : hours arrived at Boston, Mass., April 9. 69. Mr. Mylchireest's destination was Mid- town. Com., and he arrived there April th. In the Middlesex quarry at Portland he 14

worked at his trade for six days and then went to laying brick at $4 per day, following that occupation in both Middletown and Hartford, in which latter city he was employed on the Charter Oak building, then being constructed. Returning to Middletown, he worked on vari- ous buildings there. In 1871 he entered into partnership with Hugh McConochie and James Moore, under the firm name of McConochie, Moore & Mylchreest, and they continued to- gether some nine years, at about the end of which time Mr. Moore retired from the firm, which then became MeConochie & Mylchreest. This arrangement continued eight or nine years more, when Mr. McConochie retired, and Mr. Mylchreest has since conducted the busi- ness alone, as sole proprietor. Among the large and handsome buildings he has con- structed in and about Middletown may be mentioned the Fayerweather Gymnasium, at Wesleyan University ; the Wesleyan Univers- ity boiler house; the Y. M. C. A. building ; E. K. Hubbard's residence on High street ; Mr. Bullard's residence, on Washington street ; the Berkeley Divinity School library, on Wash- ington street; the German Lutheran church, on High street ; Dr. John E. Bailey's residence, on Washington street ; and the large brick ad- dition to Bunce's store. He also built two wings of the hospital building of the Connecti- cut Hospital for the Insane at Middletown. In addition to these he has put up many other buildings, thirteen belonging to himself, which he either rents or has sold. In 1899 he con- structed the engine house on Main street, one of the best buildings of its kind in New Eng- land; in the same year he erected his present home on Brainerd avenue. He built the first house that appeared on that well-known avenue. In 1898 he had the contract for the improvement at Union Park, which called for its practical rebuilding. Among other struct- ures that attest his skill may be mentioned the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity house, at the corner of Cross and High streets, and the Eclectic Club House, on College Place. He remodeled the D. K. E. Chapter house, on High street.

O11 March 25, 1869. Mr. Mylchireest was married to Miss Am Senogles, a native of the Isle of Man, born April 9. 1850, daughter of Joseph and Catherine ( Mylehreest) Senogles. well-to-do people of that island, who had a family of thirteen children, Ann being twelfth

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in order of birth and the fifth daughter. Mrs. Mylchreest was the only one of this family that ever located in the United States. We have the following record of them: (1) John died in 1900. (2) Mary is Mrs. William Quayle. (3) Thomas died at the age of fifty- seven. (4) Joseph died in 1899. (5) Caro- line, Mrs. William Shimmin, died in 1893. (6) Agnes, Mrs. Thomas Little, died in 1887. (7) Aaron died in 1867. (8) William died in 1849. (9) David lives at St. John's, Isle of Man. (10) Moses keeps a hotel at St. John's, Isle of Man. (II) Catherine, Mrs. Thomas Senogles, died in 1895. (12) Ann is Mrs. William Mylchreest. (13) Emily died in infancy.

To Mr. and Mrs. Mylchreest were born children as follows: (I) William Andrew is associated with his father in the contracting business, and superintends much of the work. He married Miss Mary McKay, of Middle- town, Conn., who was born of Scottish parents, and they have one child, Mary Ruth. (2) Joseph Henry is also associated with his fa- ther in business. He married Miss Sarah A. Barrow, a native of Sheffield, England, and has two sons, Joseph Warren and William Barrow. (3) David Harris died when three and one-half years old. (4) John James is an accomplished artist, possessed of considera- ble natural talent in that line and a pupil of John A. Sumner. He shows much more than ordinary skill in landscape painting. (5) Annie Frances is a graduate of the Middle- town high school, class of 1897. (6) Rich- ard Evan attended the Hartford Business Col- lege, and is associated with his father. (7) George Lewis is in the high school, class of 1903. (8) Clara Jane and (9) Mary Eliza- beth also attend school. The family are all identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In politics Mr. Mylchreest is a Republican, and, although no office seeker, he efficiently served his city as alderman two years, in 1898 and 1899. Commencing with nothing but his native energy and push, Mr. Mylchreest has worked his way up the ladder of prosperity, rung by rung, until he is now an extensive real-estate owner classed among the most pro- gressive and highly respected citizens of Mid- dletown, toward the advancement of which city he has done so much.

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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 38

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