USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Commemorative biographical record of New Haven county, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, V. I, Pt 3 > Part 71
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In 1865 Mr. Hubbell was united in marriage with Miss Alice E. Gates, of Simsbury, Conn., and
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to them have been born three children: Burton E. ; Arthur D .; and one who died in infancy. Fra- ternally Mr. Hubbell is a member of Upson Post, No. 40, G. A. R., of Seymour : and politically is identified with the Republican party. His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to public office, and he has served as constable thirty years and deputy sheriff for five years, filling the latter position at the present time.
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WILLIAM H. EVANS, an honored veteran of the Civil war and a highly esteemed citizen of Woodbridge, was born in Middletown, Middlesex Co., Conn., April 5. 1840, a son of Chauncey and Clarissa (Maynard ) Evans, also natives of that place, where they made their home throughout life. The father was engaged in farming near Middle- town, now Cromwell. and there died at the age of sixty years. Our subject's maternal grandfather. Mr. Maynard, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and died in 1837. Our subject had an older. sister, Delia, who died young, and a half-brother, Bissell Starks, who was a soldier of the Civil war and was numbered among the missing.
Mr. Evans' advantages for securing an educa- tion were limited to a brief period in the common schools, for after his sixth year he was dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood. In 1862 he enlisted in the 24th Conn. V. I.,-a regiment composed of Middletown volunteers. Though he enlisted for only nine months, he was in the service thirteen, and during that period took part in some of the fiereest engagements of the war. During the siege of Fort Hudson he was in the rifle pits twenty-five consecutive days, and was so exhausted from exposure that he had to be carried out on a stretcher. He well remembers the landing of Dewey and his companions from their ill-fated ship after it had been fired by the forts along the river. From days of marching and fighting, and nights of exposure in rains and dews. Mr. Evans has never recovered, though he was able to work for many years, but for the last two years he has been compelled to give up his employment.
Soon after returning from the South he moved to New Haven and secured employment on the street railway, running on the Fair Haven route for one year, and for nearly three years on the West Haven route. He was afterward employed by J. Woodruff (now deceased ), revenue collector for this district, from whom he has a letter of praise for faithful service. For the following twenty-six years he was with the West Haven Buckle Co., or until May. I'897, when he was forced to retire on account of ill health, and rented property in Woodbridge. where he is now living a quiet life, engaging in market gardening in a small way. He has real es- tate and two houses in West Haven which he rents.
In Middletown Mr. Evans was married. in 1860. to Susan Hampton, who died leaving three chil- dren, namely : George, boru July 21, 1801, is now
a wealthy and influential man of the State of Wash. ington, where he is extensively engaged in the lum- ber business; Clarence, born Dec. 25, 1865, is in the theatrical business: and Lilly, born Oct. 27, 1867, is the wife of James Henry, of New Haven. In 1882 Mr. Evans was again married, his second union being with Martha Crosby, by whom he has one daughter, Mabel, born Nov. 5, 1888. Mr. Evans attends the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is an honored member of Admiral Foote Post, No. 17, G. A. R., of New Haven, with which he has been connected since 1885. He affiliates with the Republican party, and in the past took a somewhat active part in politics, though he never aspired for public favors. As a citizen, friend and neighbor he is true to every duty and justly merits the es- teem in which he is held.
LOTHAR ALEXANDER MORTIMER, BA- RON VON GRAVE, was born at Birresborn, near Gerolstein, Prussia, Sept. 1, 1858, son of Friedrich Wilhelm Mortimer, Baron von Grave, who was born Oct. 18, 1824, and died Oct. 9, 1896. The latter married Friederica Rosalia Knaff, who was born April 15, 1833, and is still living, making her home with her son Lothar. The father was a dis- tinguished officer in his prime, and held the rank of captain in the Prussian army. To him and his wife were born: Lothar A. M., the subject proper of these lines. Anna Louisa Cathinka, Baroness von Grave, born Aug. 6, 1862, died Dee. 11, 1896; she married Eugene Pezoldt, of Saxony, Germany. Elsa Rosalie Alfredine, Baroness von Grave, born June .4. 1875, married Alberto Jonas, the pianist and director of the Michigan Conservatory of Music, at Detroit, Mich. ; she is a gifted musician, has pursued her studies under the instruction of the most eminent professors of music in Europe. and has made several highly successful tours of foreign countries, winning golden encomiums every- where.
Carl Friederich Gustaph, Baron von Grave, the grandfather of Lothar, was born Feb. 22, 1792, and died April 29, 1876. He was a well-known and highly honored general in the Prussian Cavalry. He married Maria Hyacintha Anna Rietz, born in 1806, who died May 10, 1872. The great-grandfa- ther of Lothar was Johann Hieronymus, Baron von Grave, who was born Aug. 18, 1734, and died May 16, 1798. He was secretary of war under the Prussian government. Frederica Louise Chris- tiane, Baroness von Hoffstedt, his wife, was born Oet. 14, 1766, and died April 1, 1847. N. Baron von Grave, his father, was counselor and supreme judge of the Duchy of Bremen. He was born in 1680, and died in 1752. He married the Baroness von Eberhorn.
Documents are in existence which mention the von Graves as knights fighting under Thassilo, of Bavaria, in the ninth century, later during the Crusades. They settled in different parts of the j
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country, and held high offices at court. Joachim II, Nestor and his successor, in their fight against the rebellious nobility in 1537, destroyed their castles "Weissenfels" and "Nimmersatt," but their descendants were allowed by the King of Prussia to return to their ancestral holdings in 1701.
On April 30, 1890, Lothar von Grave married Mrs. Gabrielle (D'Alton) Sweet, who was born July 4, 1863, and died July 13, 1893. They adopted one son, Frederick Sweet, who was born June 1. 1884, in New York, and had one daughter, Elsa Rosalia Valeska Ethel, who was born Nov. 23, 1891, at Ballardvale, Mass., where she died June 12, 1892. Mr. von Grave was married, Dec. 11, 1895, to Miss Deborah Waldo, at Mount Vernon, N. Y., who was born in Hudson, N. Y., daughter of Henry and Sarah ( Heath) Waldo. Their home is regarded as one of the most artistic, and as well as one of the most highly cultured centers of re- fined society in the State. . It is situated in Academy street, in Wallingford, and is the old home of Col. A. H. Dutton, from whose daughter. Miss Emily Dutton, it was purchased. On this ground many years ago stood the first school in Connecticut, called the "Academy." In February, 1897, the place was named "Ellguth." after the old estate of Mr. von Grave's family. "Gross Ellguth," in Prussian Silesia, containing 1,624 acres, and now in the pos- session of his cousin, Major Hugo von Grave. The Wallingford property was in. the possession of the Dutton family from 1664 until its recent sale.
Mrs. von Grave is descended from Deacon Cor- nelius Waldo, the cmigrant ancestor of the Waldo family, who came from England, and settled in Ipswich, Mass. He removed in 1657 to Chelms- ford. Mrs. von Grave is also a direct descendant of William Swain, who came to Watertown, Mass., in 1635, and was one of a commission sent to su- perintend the rising colony of Connecticut. Mr. von Grave is president of the Alderidge Art Com- pany, of Wallingford, and holds the same position in the Wallingford Camera Club. He is vice-presi- dent of the Wallingford Golf Club, in which recrea- tion he and his wife are enthusiasts.
Mr. von Grave has had an eventful and varied history. Born in Germany, he was educated in the Latin and Military schools. With the present Em- peror, William II, he attended the university at Bonn, taking a special course in the history of art. archeology and history. In due time, entering the Prussian army as a cadet, he was promoted to lieu- tenant, and by permission of the Emperor, William I, took part in the Turko-Austrian war. Coming home wounded, he retired from the service, and devoted his entire time to a systematic study of the fine arts, devoting special attention to art, arche- ology and' history. Graduating from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts at Munich, where he had for teachers Profs. Lindenschmidt. Piloty, and Kaut- bach, Hans Makart, from Vienna, and Piglheim. from Paris, he studied the specimens of ancient and
medieval art through Germany, Russia, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Turkey. Greece, Asia Minor and Egypt, where he engaged in the excavation of the Sakkareh pyramid. Returning to Munich, he opened a studio, and his first picture, "The Hunt- ing Scene," purchased by Prince Regent Luitpold. of Bavaria, now adorns the private Royal Gallery. Coming to this country on a visit, Mr. von Grave was so impressed with its possibilities that he de- cided to remain here. Locating first in New York. he opened a studio in the Knickerbocker building, where his time was fully occupied in making orig- inal drawings for the well-known firm of J. Ott- man, in the Puck building. Later he turned his at- tention to architecture, carrying off several prizes for designs for public buildings. He soon found himself wrapped up in industrial art, and was called upon constantly for designs for silver, bronzes. keramics and interior decorations. Becoming head designer for the Craighead & Kintz Co., he. went to Massachusetts to superintend work in that line. When the head of that company retired Mr. von Grave accepted the offer of his present position. from H. L. Judd & Co., at their Wallingford fac- tory, where he has charge of the art department. an excellent force of modelers. chasers, pattern- makers and casters, altogether about fifteen people under his direction.
Mr. von Grave is a member of Compass Lodge, F. & A. M., and of Ivy Lodge, K. P., where he is aide-de-camp on the brigadier general's staff, with the rank of major in the uniformed rank of the K. P. His splendid education, extensive travels and high social connections on both sides of the Atlantic render Mr. von Grave one of the most cosmopolitan of men, while his liberal ideas and generous disposi- tion win for him the steadfast friendship and de- votion of those who have tasted the hospitality of his cosy and artistic home.
BERKELEY S. HOTCHKISS, a retired gro- cery merchant of Waterbury, was born in Pros- pect, New Haven county, Sept. 21, 1826, and de- scends from one of New England's very old Co- lonial families, which may be traced to England. as follows :
David Miles Hotchkiss, father of Berkeley S .. was also born in Prospect; Esquire Frederick, fa- ther of David, was born in Waterbury (now Pros- pect ), and was a son of David, the elder, who was born in Waterbury, a son of Deacon Gideon, who served in the Revolutionary war; Deacon Ste- phen, father of Gideon, was an early settler of Cheshire, Conn., and was a son of Ensign Joshua. whose father, Samuel Hotchkiss, came from Eng- land, and founded the family in New Haven in 1641.
Esquire Frederick Hotchkiss, grandfather of Berkeley S .. was a farmer by vocation. He mar- ried Rhoda Hopkins, daugliter of Esquire John Hopkins, and they reared a family of four chil-
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dren, viz. : Marilla, who married Libeus Sanford, a farmer of Broome county, N. Y. ; Julia, who mar- ried Jonah Woodruff, of Waterbury, and went to Broome county, N. Y .. where she passed the remainder of her days; David Miles, father of Berkeley S. ; and Clarissa, who married Elisha Hall, a farmer of . Broome county, N. Y. Esquire Fred- erick Hotchkiss was the first initiated member of Harmony Lodge, F. & A. M.
Hon. David Miles Hotchkiss was reared to . manhood in Prospect. where he engaged in farni- ing and became an influential citizen. He married Zernah Stevens, of Naugatuck, daughter of Mar- tin Stevens, a blacksmith, and they became the parents of eight children: (1) Emily (deceased ) married B. B. Brown, of Broome county, N. Y., and had two sons, of whom Frederick Hotchkiss is now a prominent merchant of New Haven, Conn .; and Clarence H. is with Hall; Simpson & Co., of Wallingford. (2) Laura married A. Sid- ney Plumb, a farmer of Prospect, son of Major Orrin Plumb, of Wolcott; both Mr. and Mrs. Plumb are now deceased. (3) Hervey Dwight was a prominent manufacturer, and lived and died in · Meriden, where his son Frederick is now a pros- perous wholesale merchant. (4) Henry K., known as Major Hotchkiss, lived in Bristol, and died in Ansonia; his son, William H., is a member of the firm of J. N. Adam & Co., prominent merchants of Buffalo, N. Y. (5) Frederick died when a young man, in Virginia. (6) Berkeley S., sixth in the order of birth, is the subject of this sketch. (7) Edward is an insurance agent in Binghamton, N. Y. (8) Richard was a merchant in Atlantic City, N. J., where he died. After the death of his first wife David M. Hotchkiss married Mrs. Han- nah (Doolittle) Bristol, of Cheshire, and by this union had two children : Julia E., who married Frederick A. Sanford, formerly of Windsor, N. Y., but now of Westfield. Mass. ; and David B .. who .. resides on the old homestead in' Prospect. Hon. David Miles Hotchkiss was first a Whig in politics, and then became an avowed Abolitionist. He filled a number of local offices, had the town set off and named Prospect in 1827, represented it many times in the State Legislature, and was rec- ognized as the most progressive and prominent resi- dent of the place. He passed away in the faith of the Congregational Church, at the ripe old age of eighty-one years.
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Berkeley S. Hotchkiss grew to manhood on the farm in Prospect, and began life for himself by teaching school in Cheshire in the winters several years, and he also for a year and a half taught its center public school winter and summer. He then formed a partnership with Howard C. Ives and en- gaged in the grocery business. in which they pros- pered, continuing thus for two years. In 1861 Mr. Hotchkiss sought the hroader field of Water- bury, and opened up in the same line of trade. which he most successfully followed for twenty-three
years, when he retired ou a competence-the fruit of his careful consideration of the needs of the public and of his strict integrity in all transactions.
On April 12, 1851, Mr. Ilotchkiss was happily joined in marriage, by Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, with Miss Catherine A. Harper, of Binghamton, who was born in Windsor, Broome Co., N. Y., daughter of George and Sally ( Butler) Harper. Three children have blessed this union: Lillian May, born Nov. 16, 1854, graduated from Vassar College in the class of 1877, and died Oct. 2. 1898; she united with the Second Congregational Church May 3, 1868. Sara Catherine, born March 1. 1860, married F. A. Drexel, of Detroit, Mich. William Berkeley, born Feb. 9, 1867, is a member of the firm of Hotchkiss & Templeton, hardware merchants in Waterbury. In polities Mr. Hotchkiss is a stanch Republican. In religious belief he and his family are Congregationalists, and in social cir- cles none stand higher in Waterbury.
George Harper. father of Mrs. Hotchkiss, was born March 1, 1793, in Windsor, N. Y., a son of Judge George Harper, and died Nov. 8, 1859. By occupation he was a farmer. On June 18, 1818, lie married Sally Butler, who was born Dec. 10, 1802, in Deposit, Delaware Co., N. Y., daughter of Sam- tiel Butler, a representative of the Butlers of Brain- tree, England, one of whom settled in Cambridge, Mass .. ir 1632. Several male members of the Butler family located in Michigan and attained con- siderable prominence. Mrs. Sally ( Butler ) Har- per died June 14, 1878. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. George Harper were the following chil- dren: Ruth, Butler, Catherine A., Edgar, Will- iam, Henry, John L. (a prominent banker of De- troit, Mich.) and Mary ( who married G. D. Crane, a prominent resident of Cheshire, Connecticut ).
MARION A. MORRIS holds a position as a high-class mechanic that at once reflects honor upon his character, and shows the worth of the man. In the full prime of his manly powers, he commands the confidence of those whose interests he so well conserves, and has long held the respect and good will of the community.
Mr. Morris was born in the town of Waterbury, Conn., June 3, 1852. a son of William F. Morris, a native of Litchfield, Conn., where he first saw the light Feb. 22, 1828. Thie grandfather of Ma- rion A. was Jolin N. Morris, who was a son of Sheldon and Polly ( Chatfield ) Morris. John N. was a cooper by trade, and died in Bridgeport. William F. Morris grew up in Litchfield, and mar- ried Miss Elizabeth A. Scott. a native of Water- town, Conn. The young couple settled in Oakville. Conn., where he was a foreman in the American Mills. They were the parents of three children : Marion A., Etta L. and Addie .F. Etta L. mar- ried William E. Crane, who is the mechanical en- grineer of the New England Engineering Co., of Waterbury. Addie F. is unmarried, and is book-
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keeper for the Benedict & Burnham Manufactur- ing Co. William F. Morris died June 8, 1872, and. his widow is still living. They were both Epis- copalians. Politically he was a Republican.
Marion A. Morris spent his boyhood and youth in Waterbury, and received his education in the local schools. When the time came for the young man to make his own way he entered the Water- bury Suspender Co., and was at work in their fac- tory some two years. The period of his employ- ment with Maltby. Hopson & Brooks, manufact- urers, covered six years. For three months Mr. Morris worked in Harrison's machine shop. at New Haven, and fourteen months with the Excelsior Needle Co. At the expiration of this time he came back to Waterbury, and was with the American Mills Co. one year : with the Oakville Pin Co. eight months; and was then employed seven years by the Plume & Atwood Co. Mr. Morris then entered the employ of the Scovill Manufacturing Co., and for the past nineteen years he has been in their factory, now holding a position as foreman, and he is one of their most trusted employes.
Mr. Morris was married, Oct. 20, 1881, to Miss Sarah J. Dodds. a native of Waterbury, and a daughter of William and Harriet Dodds, both na- tives of Scotland. William Dodds came to Water- bury when about twenty-five years old, and married here; he was engineer for the Holmes, Booth & Haydens Co., and for the Plume & Atwood Co. about forty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Dodds are the parents of two children : Harriet E .. who mar- ried Edgar S. Buckingham, of Shelton, Conn., and died Jan. 4, 1897; and Sarah J. Mrs. Dodds died Feb. 3, 1899, and at present Mr. Dodds is retired from active business labors. Mr. Morris and his wife have two children: William D., who died in infancy ; and Harriet D. Politically Mr. Morris is a Republican; and fraternally is a Mason, having his membership in Federal Lodge, No. 17, A. F. & A. M. He also belongs to various protective or- ders, such as the A. O. U. W .. the R. A., and the Woodmen of the World. The Morris family are all affiliated with the Episcopal Church, with which our subject and his wife are closely associated.
FREDERICK K. PERRY, who is now success- fully engaged in the job printing business in Nauga- tuck, was born in Sandisfield, Mass., in 1847. a son of E. G. and Martha ( White) Perry, the former born in Oneida county, N. Y., the latter near Win- sted, Litchfield Co., Conn., and both are now de- ceased. The father was engaged in business both in New York and this State as a contractor and · builder, which pursuit his father also followed. They were active members of the Congregational Church, and were highly respected by all who knew them. Their children were Jennett, now deceased ; Edwin R., who became a farmer in Iowa. and served as a soldier in the Civil war, but is now deceased : Philo B., who engaged in mercantile business in |
Texas, and on the outbreak of the Civil war es- poused the Confederate cause, and died in 1865, from disease contracted in the army: Frederick K. : Lavinia W., who married George W. Ball, of Chicopee, Mass., and died in Westfield, Mass. (Mr. Ball has since married and now lives in Chicago, Ill.) ; and Philinda M., who is now Mrs. Edwin B. Alfred, of Harwinton, Connecticut.
Frederick K. Perry attended school in Winches- ter, Conn., until sixteen years of age, and then en- tered the Winsted Herald office as an apprentice to the printer's trade, remaining there about three years. Going to Hartford, he worked on various papers in that city for four years, and was later for seven years a compositor on the Springfield Re- publican at Springfield, Mass. At the end of that time he went to Waterbury, Conn., where after working on different newspapers he spent two years in a job office. He continued to work at his trade for others until 1891, when he purchased the busi- ness of which he has since had control, and is now doing a large job and general printing business. He also conducted a paper called the Advocate for some time, its object being to advocate the prin- ciples of single tax. For years he has made a thorough and careful study of that subject, and has written many able articles and also lectured on the same. His arguments are logical and convincing, and he has become a recognized leader among the advocates of the single tax in his section of the State. In politics he is independent, and in his fra- ternal relations is a member of the Grange and the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Perry has been twice married, his first wife being Sarah M. Lane, of Winsted, who died leav- ing two children : Leslie E., a telegraph operator ; and Philo B., who is with his father in business. For his second wife Mr. Perry married Jessie Davis, by whom he has a son, Harold R.
JARED P. KING, an energetic and enterprising contractor and builder of Waterbury, is one of the workers of that busy city who stands out con- spicuously by reason of his thorough work and sub- stantial construction. What he does, stays ; and he is in every sense a straightforward and reliable man.
Mr. King was born Sept. 13, 1848, in Spring- field. Bradford Co., Pa., in which locality Edward King, his father, was a farmer. Edward King mar- ried Anna Phillips, whose parents came from Eng- land, and who died Sept. 24, 1853. Five children came to them: Violetta, born Aug. 23, 1844; Loiza, born Oct. 15. 1846: Jared P., born Sept. 13, 1848; one child. born in 1850, who died in in- fancy ; and Lewis E., born March 26, 1853. Both the daughters reached maturity. One married, but did not live many years afterward. The other died when a young lady. Lewis was working at his trade -printing-in New York when his health gave way, and he went South, where he died in 1899.
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Ile an.I his wife lived in New Jersey with her par- ents, and they all preceded him to the grave. Ed- ward King, the father, married again, and had several children by his second wife. He went West a number of years ago.
Jared P. King was bound out to an aunt when he was about five years old, and was taken from his home to Stanford, Conn., where he lived until he was ten years of age. In 1858 his aunt, who had married, moved to Waterbury, and here Jared P. finished his education, and began his life work. He learned the trade of carpenter under the instruction of A. C. Peck, and went to work for the Waterbury Coal & Lumber Co., in their sash and blind fac- tory, remaining with them some nine years. Mr. King found employment on leaving that firm with the People's Coal & Ice Co., where he remained about one year. For three years he was with the Mathew & Willard Manufacturing Co., and then began business for himself as a contractor and builder. Mr. King is still working on a modest scale, but what he has done is of the very best character, and the general public is coming to know that no better work can be secured in the city than what Mr. King has to offer.
On May 10, 1870, Mr. King married Miss Sarah J. Platt, daughter of Alfred LeGrand Platt. A his- tory of the Platt family appears elsewhere. Mr. and Mrs. King are the parents of two children : Lilian A., who was born June 10, 1872, and died the same year ; and Rupert V., who was born Oct. 17, 1882, and is still living.
Mr. King is a Republican on general political issues, but in local affairs seeks the best men for the various positions. He is a Knight Templar, and his connection with the Masonic fraternity dates from 1876. Two years before that date he united with the Odd Fellows, and is a member of Town- send Lodge. He is also associated with several of the smaller societies .. With his family he attends the Baptist Church.
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