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 4 > Part 51
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Mr. Mitchell married the youngest daughter of Deacon Aaron Benedict, of Waterbury, and to them · was born one child, a son of great promise, who died in boyhood.
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BRONSON. The Bronson family begins its American history with Jolin Bronson, of Hartford and Farmington, who was the father of Sergeant Isaac Bronson. That gentleman was born in 1645, and was married in 1669, to Mary, a daughter of John Root, of Farmington. Isaac Bronson was one of the original thirty subscribers, and it is thought he was a member of the first company that came to . Waterbury. He united with the Farmington Church in 1684, and was active in establishing a church in Waterbury, being one of its seven pil- lars at its final organization in 1691. He was a sergeant in the train band, and a deputy to the Gen- eral Court in 1697, and again in 1701. He died about 1719, and his widow did not long survive him.
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Lieut. John Bronson, son of the foregoing, was born in 1673, and made his home in Waterbury. His position as lieutenant of the militia was . be- stowed upon him in recognition of his interest and ability in military matters. He was elected select- man, and he died about the close of 1746.
Benjamin Bronson, son of Lient. John, was born Oct. 2, 1711. and was married March 4. 1738, to Lois, a daughter of Thomas Richards. His death occurred Nov. 16, 1745.
Major Samuel Bronson, son of the above, was born Dec. 10, 1742, and in December, 1786, married his second wife, Huldah Williams. Major Bron- son died July 21, 1813.
Isaac Bronson, son of Major Samuel, was born Sept. 11, 1793. He lived in the town of Vernon.
William Bronson, son of Isaac. was born Oct. 16, 1826, at Vernon, where he spent his early school days, and while still a lad went to Beriin, where he
becanie foreman in the wheel room of the Henry Hooker carriage factory. In New Haven he was identified with the Hooker carriage house. For the last ten years of his active life he was identified with the Hub Clothing Company.
On July 2, 1856, William Bronson was married to Rebecca E., a daughter of Andrew and Rebecca Terrell, of New Haven. To this marriage were born: William Alfred, born Nov. 30, 1857; Rob- ert Anderson, born Feb. 19, 1861; Samuel Gris- wold, born March 3, 1863, died Dec. 21, 1866; and Albert Lincoln, born July 23, 1865, died Sept. 15, 1865. Mr. Bronson lived on Bradley street, where he spent his last years. He died Oct. 28, 1881 ; and his wife, who was born June 1, 1834, died June 7, 1883.
WILLIAM A. BRONSON spent his school days in New Haven, where he attended the Lancasterian School, and began clerking in the drug business out of school hours with A. B. Hall, then located on State street. For a short time he was with Henry Merriman, and then accepted a clerkship with the Whittlesey Co., on Chapel street. In September, 1881, he bought the drug business on State and Bradley streets, and in 1883 removed across the street, where he remained in business until October, 1901.
On Feb. 16, 1893, Mr. Bronson was married in New Haven, Conn., to Florence G. Burchell, who was born Aug. 24, 1866. To this union have come : Harold Burchell, born Sept. 17, 1894; Ruth Mar- jorie, born Dec. 22, 1895; and Eleanor Terrell, born March 16, 1901. Mr. Bronson belongs to Hiram Lodge, A. F. & A. M. In 1894 he built his home at No. 305 Lawrence street, where he resided until May, 1902.
ROBERT ANDERSON BRONSON spent his early school days in New Haven. At an early age he be- gan clerking for A. B. Hall, and was later employed by Henry Merriman. When he was twenty years of age he entered the store of McNeil & Washburn, at No. 84 Church street. In 1892 he became a member of the firm of E. L. Washburn & Co., drug- gists and dealers in surgical and dental instruments.
On Feb. 1, 1895, Mr. Bronson was married to Esther A. Law, of New Haven, and one child, Louise Terrell, born May 28, 1898, has blessed this union. Mr. Bronson belongs to Wooster Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Franklin Chapter, Harmony Coun- cil, New Haven Commandery and Pyramid Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Chamber of Commerce.
BENJAMIN HULBURT ROBERTS, one of the prosperous and respected farmer citizens of North Haven, traces his descent from one of the stanch old New England families, being a grandson of Ebenezer Roberts. The latter took part in the Revolutionary war, and after that strife was over : located in Middlesex county, where he engaged in farming. He served as justice of the peace and
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became quite prominent in Westfield, where he died when ninety years of age. To himself and wife were born: Cornwall, Enoch, Bethuel, Elijah, Rena, Beulah and Rebecca.
Elijah Roberts, the father of Benjamin H., was born in Westfield, where he engaged in farming un- til his death, which occurred when he was twenty- six years old. His wife, Amanda Hulburt, was born in Westfield, a daughter of Benjamin and Han- nah ( Plumb) Hulburt, and she lived to the age of fifty-two. She bore him a family of four children, namely: Hannah, who married William Rogers, and is now deceased; Benjamin H .; William, who died young ; and Ellen, who married Edward Yeo- mans.
Benjamin H. Roberts was born Jan. 27, 1828, in Westfield, and as his father died when he was only four years old, his mother took her little family to the home of her father, and young Benjamin worked on his grandfather's farm and attended school for some years. Later he also worked for adjoining farmers, and when he was nineteen years old went to Meriden, entering the employ of the Meriden Britannia Co., casting spoons. After fol- lowing this occupation for several years the young man returned to Westfield, and for two summers worked on the farm of his uncle, William Plumb, while during the winter he returned to Meriden and engaged in casting spoons. A better oppor- 'tunity offering, Mr. Roberts entered the suspender factory of William Hale, of Meriden, where he re- mained for a number of years, working under con- tract, taking the material home, stamping the leather and webbing himself, and distributing the material among the women in the neighborhood. The area of his distribution covered three miles, and so carefully did he estimate his contracts and select his workers that his success was very satisfactory.
About this time his good old grandfather Hul- burt induced Mr. Roberts to take charge of his farm and be the comfort of his declining years. The homestead was encumbered, and not being willing to allow the last years of his grandfather's life to be overshadowed by a worry of this descrip- tion, Mr. Roberts paid the debt out of his own savings, and in his gratitude Mr. Hulburt trans- ferred the property to the grandson and his mother. Being already of an advanced age, Mr. Hulburt died not long after his grandson relieved him of his burdens. Not satisfied with the field offered for his ability on the farm, Mr. Roberts obtained em- ployment with Ferry, Benham & Co., of Meriden, manufacturers of powder-flasks and chargers. Al- though the services required were those of an ex- pert, Mr. Roberts discharged his duties with very little preparation, being a natural mechanic. His work was done under contract, and again his care- ful management enabled him to reap a very sub- stantial benefit from thus connection. After eight- een months, however, being enabled to purchase the farm adjoining his own, Mr. Roberts returned to
Westfield, and for some years devoted his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits. Having improved his property, Mr. Roberts received many flattering offers, and finally disposed of it, removing to Meri- den, where for fifteen years he was in the employ of the Meriden Britannia Co. at a first-class salary. In 1883, tiring of the confinement of his position, Mr. Roberts came to North Haven, and, purchasing his present farm from Nelson Warner, commenced to make many substantial improvements thereon. The property is now in excellent condition, and Mr. Rob- erts carries on a large market gardening business, being successful in this, as in all his previous un- dertakings.
In 1852 Mr. Roberts was married to Miss Eliza H. Douglas, who was born in 1827, in New Hart- ford, Conn., a daughter of Chester H. and Annie (Dawson) Douglas. To Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have been born: Emily M., who married Benjamin Van Doren, a teamster of Hamden; William B., who married Emma Butler, and is living at home, assisting his father; and Burton D., who married Nellie Morgan, and is now a grocer in Meriden.
Although a stanch Republican, Mr. Roberts has never sought for office, but upon the solicitation of his friends, while residing in Meriden, was collector and treasurer of the school district. Both he and his estimable wife are consistent members of the Congregational Church. They are excellent repre- sentatives of thrifty, successful and substantial New England people.
P. JOSEPH BOLAN, dealer in hardware, agri- cultural implements, iron, steel, builders, factory and mills supplies, etc., at Nos. 90, 92 and 94 Bank street. Waterbury, was born in Sandy Hook, Fair- . field Co., Conn., Nov. 15, 1862, son of Lawrence and Mary (Dempsey) Bolan, both natives of Coun- ty Westmeath, Ireland.
Lawrence Bolan came to America when a young man, and settled in New York, where he acquired some property. He there married Mary Denipsey. who died in April, 1863, the mother of the follow- ing children: (1) John D., who is working for his brother, P. Joseph, but who previously spent two years abroad and later was employed for four- teen years as a machinist by the Waterbury Farrel Foundry & Machine Co. (2) Annie, wife of James H. McGinness, of Waterbury. (3) Mary, wife of B. J. Brady, of Bridgeport. (4) Lawrence H., who died at the age of twenty-seven years. (5) Eliza- beth, wife of Michael Melov. of Bridgeport. (6) P. Joseplı. The father of this family was a dyer by trade, and after removing from New York to Sandy Hook followed his calling until his death in August, 1877, at the age of fifty-three.
P. Joseph Bolan attended school in Sandy Hook until twelve years of age, when he went to Water- town. LiteIfield county, and served four and one- halt years as a hell boy in a hotel. While thus employed he earned sufficient means to pay for his
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schooling in Waterbury, and he diligently applied himself to the acquiring of a good literary train- ing, before entering the commercial world. On June 14, 1878, he became a clerk for F. L. Allen, hardware merchant, who some time afterward sold out to D. B. Wilson. Mr. Bolan remained with the latter gentleman until February, 1885. The two then fornied a copartnership, which was main- tained for four years and ten months, during which time Mr. Bolan conducted the entire business of the firm. On Dec. 1. 1889. Mr. Bolan sold out to Mr. Wilson the stand at Nos. 13, 15 and 17 East Main street, and purchased from James Allen the oldest hardware establishment in Waterbury town, and located at Nos. 90, 92 and 94 Bank street, where he still continues to carry on this most lucra- tive business.
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On Nov. 21, 1888, Mr. Bolan was joined in wed- lock with Miss Maria Seery, who was born in Waterbury, Conn., a daughter of Thomas Seery, who came from County Westmeath, Ireland. Five children came to bless this union, but of these the two youngest died in childhood, viz .: Joseph, when two and a half years old, and Harry, at the age of one year. The survivors are J. Harold, born Jan. 2, 1894; Helen E., born March 1, 1896; and Francis J., born Nov. 25, 1899. In politics Mr. Bolan is a Democrat, but has never accepted office, although he has been frequently solicited to do so. Fraternally he is a meniber of the Knights of Co- lumbus, the Heptasophs, the Catholic I. O. O. F., and the B. P. O. E. He formerly belonged to the Foresters of America. He is a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic parish, and con- tributes freely to its support. Socially he and his wife are highly esteemed. As a business man Mr. Bolan may be termed self-made, and he is one of the most energetic and progressive men of the city, while his reputation in business circles is un- tarnished.
DANIEL JOSHUA CLARK, foreman of the draw pull department in the large factory of Foster, Merriam & Co., and a veteran of the Civil war, is one of Meriden's honored native sons, born July 30, 1839.
William Clark, an original proprietor of Hart- ford, Conn., in 1639, was one of the twenty-eight purchasers of the town of Haddam, Conn., and first settlers there, in or soon after the spring of 1662. His children were: (1) Daniel, who was the father of William, Joseph, Daniel (2) and John. Of these, William had children: Peletiah, Benjamin and Uriah; Daniel (2) had children: Daniel, Heze- kiah and James; and John had a son, John. (2) Thomas became the father of Thomas, Jonathan, David and Israel. From this source came a branch of the Middlesex county Clarkes.
Hezekiah Clark, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Johnson's Lane, town of Durham, Middlesex Co., Conn., where he grew
to manhood, and where he married Olive Lee. He settled in Cromwell, Middlesex county, where he engaged in farming and passed the balance of his- days. His remains and those of his wife rest in Cromwell cemetery. Both were members of the- Congregational Church. Mr. Clark was a stanch Democrat of the old school. They were the parents. of six children, namely: Hezekiah P., Samuel W_ L., Cornelia ( who married a Mr. Brainard, of Mid- dletown), Hannah ( who died unmarried), Henry La Fayette (who was killed by an explosion at Par- ker & Perkins' shop in Meriden) and Andrew J. ( who died in Croinwell).
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Hezekiah P. Clark was born in the town of Dur- ham, Middlesex county, where he grew to manhood on a farm, and received his education in the local school. When a young man he moved to Middle- field, Conn., and there married Julia Miller, a na- tive of that town and daughter of Joshua and Rhoda ( Nicholls) Miller, the latter a daughter of Sylvanus Nicholls, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. After his marriage Mr. Clark came to Meri- den, about 1833, and located in the eastern part of the town, where he followed the trade of carpenter and joiner. He removed to the vicinity of Walnut Grove cemetery, and in 1839 located on Gravel street, where he built a home, and continued to re- side there during the balance of his life. He con- tinued to work at his trade until his death, which occurred in 1863, and his remains were interred in East cemetery. Politically he was a stanch sup- porter of the Democratic party. Living an upright and exemplary life, he sought to treat his brother man as he would be treated. In his home he was a kind husband and father, and his demise removed from Meriden a good citizen. His widow is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years, and she resides alone in her home on Gravel street, highly respected as a true woman. She is possessed of a remarkable memory, and has always evinced a strong mind and will. Five of her seven children. are living: Delia, the first, now deceased, was the wife of Charles Ira Miller, of Middlefield; Heze- kiah Minor married Alvira B. Willard, and both are deceased; Louisa is the widow of George. Palmer, of Orange, Mass .; Daniel J. is mentioned below; Russell R. is employed by the Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Co., of Meriden; Rhoda Augusta married Theodore Butler, of Meriden ; and William is a foreman in the plating department of. the Charles Parker Co., of Meriden.
Daniel J. Clark attended the district schools of Meriden, and remembers among his teachers Linus Baldwin, Alva Coe, of Middlefield, Walter Hall and Miss Laura Miller. While still a mere boy he worked one season on the farm of his grandfather, Joshua Miller, in Middlefield. For his labor he re- ceived one dollar and a calf, and was highly pleased with his reward : the calf grew to a cow which sup- plied the family with milk for several years. Dur- ing two seasons he worked on the farm of Deacon
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Samuel Paddock, receiving five dollars per month and board for the first season, and fourteen dollars and board for the second. In the meantime he at- tended school in winter. He was next employed two years by Philip Eddy, in the butcher business, and spent a year on a farm in Middlefield. Com- ing to Meriden, he entered the factory of Parker & Perkins, and continued two years as a polisher. For a time he was employed in a bit and auger factory at Plainville, and put in a year in a shear factory at Rocky Hill. Returning to Meriden, he again worked for Parker & Perkins and learned the trade of blacksmith. At this time the country needed soldiers to preserve its integrity, and he enlisted Aug. 25, 1862, in Co. A, 15th Conn. V. I., under Col. Dexter R. Wright and Capt. J. Bassett. He participated in all the battles and campaigns of his company and regiment, and was acting sergeant of the pioneer corps during the celebrated "black- berry raid," in which a part of the regiment was captured by the enemy. Mr. Clark served until the close of the war, and was mustered out at New Haven in 1865.
Returning to the arts of peace, Mr. Clark was again attached to the force of Parker and Perkins, with whom he continued some time. He was sub- sequently employed by the Wilcox Silver Plate Co. and the Meriden Malleable Iron Co., remaining with the latter establishment as machinist until 1870. Since that year he has been connected with Foster, Merriam & Co., being a machinist until 1885, when he was made foreman of the draw pull de- partment, and continues to fill that important post, having charge of 115 hands. His fairness to all, and his kind and genial manners have made him popular with all his associates, and he is a valuable factor in the success of this great manufacturing institution.
Mr. Clark is appreciated by his fellow citizens, as evidenced in his selection to serve four years in the city council, from the Third ward, during which he acted on the Water and Park committees. In 1901 he was elected alderman, and is chairman of the License and Printing committees. He holds pronounced views on the liquor question, and was at one time nominated by the Prohibition party for mayor of Meriden. He is a member of the Sons of Temperance, in which he has held all the offices, and was deputy grand worthy patriot. He is a mem- ber of Merriam Post, No. 8, G. A. R., and was some time à member of Pacific Lodge, No. 87, I. O. O. F. He is a trustee and steward of Trinity M. E. Church, and is everywhere respected as a consist- ent Christian gentleman, actuated by high motives in all his acts:
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On Jan. 11, 1860, Mr. Clark was married in Springfield, Mass., to Miss Harriet L. Barnes, who was born on the same day as her husband, at Stad- dle Hill, in the town of Milktown, and is a daugh- ter of Jairus and Lorinda ( Johnson ) Barnes. Mrs. Clark is an active supporter of her husband in
every good work, being an active worker in Trinity M. E. Church, a member of the W. C. T. U. of Meriden, a chiarter member and first vice-president of the City Mission, and also a member of the State Humane Society. While she cares for her house- held in an exemplary manner, she is a stanch advo- cate of woman's riglits, and exercises her right un- der Connecticut law to vote on school matters. De- voted to her home and family, a kind and charitable neighbor, she believes in protecting her own and other's families in procuring the best school facili- ties, and she does not forget the dumb servants of man who are ofttimes abused. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are blessed in their three children: (I) Hattie Estelle is the wife of Charles M. Hull, a printer, of Meriden, and has three children: Elsie, Charles and Ruth ( a twin of the first died in infancy ). (2) Ambrose Burnside is a machinist, employed in Meri- den ; he married Nettie E. Waples, and has two chil- dren, Adelbert and Gertrude. (3) Emma Josephine married Willard F. Peck, and is the mother of four children, Clifford Wales, Alton Barnes, Harold and Grace.
Reuben Bartholomew, a farmer of the town of Harwinton, Conn., served his country as a soldier in the war of the Revolution. He was a son of Dan- iel, grandson of William (2), and great-grandson of William Bartholomew, who came from England to New England in 1634. His daughter, Huldah, born April 8, 1768, married Joseph R. Barnes, of New Hartford, and their children were: Barthol- mew, Richard, Eunice, Huldah and Jairus.
Jairus Barnes, father of Mrs. Clark, was a car- penter and joiner by occupation, and engaged in contract building in Middletown, where he died. He was a member of the Congregational Church and a Republican in politics. His wife, Lorinda, was a daughter of Adna Johnson, and she died in Cromwell, Conn. Of their two children, Mrs. Clark is the eldest; the other, Philinda, who married Henry Sedgwick, is now deceased.
The Johnson family is an old one in Middlesex county. Phineas Johnson married Lois Scheels. He was a soldier in the Revolution, serving is several commands. From Aug. 16, 1776, to Sept. 4, same year, he was a private in Capt. Hickock's company, and was a non-commissioned officer in the Fourth Company, Conn. Light Infantry, in the command of Marquis de La Fayette, under Capt. Samuel A. Barker, of Branford, and Lieut. John Mansfield, of Wallingford; was made corporal of Capt. Chap- man's company Feb. 1, 1783, and was a pensioner under the Act of 1818. His children were: Lor- inda and Melinda, twins, born May 27, 1785; Ai, Nov. 16, 1786; Adna, Aug. 18, 1788; Lodicea, July 25, 1790; Emma, Jan. 23, 1793; Ozem, Dec. 29, 1795; Arden, July 31, 1797; Erwin, Oct. 15, 1799; Larmon, May 19, 1802.
Adna Johnson, born Aug. 18, 1788, died March 25, 1858. He married Hannah Smith, who was born Aug. 21, 1793, and died June 23, 1831. Their
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children : Lorinda, born Dec. 20, 1810, died April 25, 1888, married Jairus Barnes, and was the mother of Mrs. Daniel J. Clark ; Eliza J., born Jan. 20, 1813; Ira N., Nov. 26, 1815, died June 16, 1888; Lucinda, June 16, 1817; Maria, Feb. 5, 1819; Freeman Aug. 14, 1820; Melinda, April 24, 1822. Mr. Johnson was married a second time Oct. 27, 1831, to Amy Clark, who bore him: Edwin, July 27, 1832; Aden, Sept. 29, 1834; Chauncey W., April 22, 1837; Daniel T., Sept. 7, 1839. The mother of these died, and Mr. Johnson subsequently married a widow named Doo- little. There were no children by the last marriage.
GEORGE FREDERICK ROGERS, one of the stockholders and directors of the firm of C. Rogers & Bros., and one of the well-known citizens of Meriden, was born Oct. 1, 1862, in the city in which he has had his home.
George Washington Rogers, father of George F., was born in Chester, Middlesex county, Aug. II, 1827, and was the son of the late Hervey Rogers, and eldest brother of Cephas B., Gilbert and Wil- bur F. Rogers, of Meriden. His education was ob- tained in the district school of Old Saybrook, Wil- braham Academy and the Wesleyan University. In his early life he was a public school teacher, but soon turned his attention to the law, which he fol- lowed in Meriden for a number of years. In his professional practice he was associated with George W. Smith. While still a young man hie was en- gaged in the newspaper business in Meriden, in company with the Hon. O. H. Platt, then the editor of the Connecticut Whig. In political life he be- came quite prominent, and filled many local offices in Meriden, serving several years as justice of the peace, and was deputy sheriff. Mr. Rogers was named doorkeeper of the United States Senate, and was present at the time Brooks made his brutal as- sault on Senator Sumner. Later he was appointed postmaster by President Lincoln, and filled this po- sition with credit for eight years, serving under Lincoln and Johnson. Mr. Rogers died April 17, 1880, in Meriden, and his remains were laid to rest in the West cemetery. He was known in public life throughout the United States as a man of much ability, especially gifted in oratorical powers. He was liberal in church matters, and lived close to the Golden Rule. In his earlier life he was a Whig in sentiment, but later became a Republican, and he was closely associated with Horace Greeley. Mr. Rogers was married to Catherine L. Gale, a lady of much culture and refinement, and to this union were born six children, only two of whom are now living, George F. and Lilian Yale. The daughter is a lady of marked character and culture, of high attainments, and is now teaching the art of dancing in Meriden. Mrs. Rogers is still living, and enjoys the respect and esteem of all who are privileged to know her true worth.
George F. Rogers attended the public schools of Meriden, and when he reached the age of fifteen
years entered the employ of C. Rogers & Bros. By the faithful discharge of all his duties, his thorough mastery of the business and his oft-proved reliability has arisen to his present position. In 1899, when the company was incorporated, Mr. Rogers was named one of the directors. A young man of much character and most enterprising spirit, he takes a deep interest in the business, and is familiar with its every detail.
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